DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS COMMISSION

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1 DOWNTOWN MEMPHIS COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN updated June 2013

2 About the Downtown Memphis Commission The Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC) is the official partnership between local government and the private business community for the advancement of Downtown. We make Downtown Memphis a better place to work, live, learn, invest and visit for the purpose of advancing all of Memphis and Shelby County. DMC was established in 1977 by the City of Memphis and Shelby County governments as an independent, non-profit development agency to capitalize on Downtown s role as the economic, cultural, and governmental heart of the city and county. DMC is primarily funded by a special assessment on commercial properties in Downtown Memphis and fees paid by private Downtown developers; DMC does not receive funding from either city or county taxes. All of Memphis and Shelby County benefit from the work performed by the DMC, but citizens and property owners outside of Downtown do not contribute to the DMC s operations or incentives. DMC Boards and Staff DMC staff serves as administrators for these entities by implementing operations, planning & development, marketing, and administrative functions for Downtown Memphis: Downtown Memphis Commission Board of Directors oversees the overall direction and strategy of the organization. Center City Revenue Finance Corporation has the authority to finance, own, lease, and dispose of properties in Downtown. CCRFC also has the power to issue tax incentives and bonds for property development. Center City Development Corporation primarily promotes redevelopment and usage of property in Downtown by offering loans and grants to recruit new businesses and tenants, as well as low-interest loans for real estate projects. Downtown Parking Authority assists with strategic planning for existing and future parking facilities in Downtown, manages seven public garages, tracks rates and occupancies of other Downtown parking lots and structures, and issues bonds for construction or acquisition of additional parking facilities. Design Review Board reviews applications for all projects receiving financial incentives from DMC s affiliated agencies, as well as all signage and all public improvements in Downtown. DRB is also charged with developing and implementing Downtown s sign ordinance Board Members Downtown Memphis Commission Board of Directors Ernest Strickland, Chairman Rick Copeland Bob Lundy, Vice Chairman Bobbi Gillis Stuart McGehee, Secretary Sharon Leicham Al Lyons, Treasurer George Little Megan Arthur Stuart McGehee Commissioner Steve Basar Isaac Northern Councilman Bill Boyd Carl Person Rep. Barbara Cooper George Shadroui Center City Revenue Finance Corporation Robert Spence Jr., Chair Brandy Johnson-Ward Luke Yancy IV, Vice Chair Sean Norris Martin Truitt, Treasurer Walter Person Carla Peacher-Ryan, Secretary Marija Sokolov Dana Burkett Center City Development Corporation Jay Lindy, Chairman Eric Mathews, Secretary Terence Patterson, Treasurer Bob Lundy Andre Jones Melvin Jones Stuart McGehee Tanja Mitchell Ernest Strickland Downtown Parking Authority Odell Horton, Chairman Brandon Bryant, Vice Chairman Mary Sharp, Secretary Rick Wagers, Treasurer Graham Askew Donnell Cobbins Farris DeBoard Design Review Board Greg Price, Chair Mila Borden, Vice Chair David Schuermann, Secretary Nancy Jane Baker (non-voting) Ray Brown Rebecca Conrad William (Bill) Denton Suhair Lauck

3 Why A Vibrant Downtown Is Important to the Region Set high on the bluffs of the Mississippi River, Downtown is where Memphis was born, and it remains the heart and soul of our city. To have a successful city, we must have a vibrant Downtown. When people around the world visualize Memphis, they think of Downtown the river, our skyline, Beale Street, St. Jude, the Civil Rights Museum, the Orpheum, the Grizzlies, AutoZone Park, Memphis in May, and so many other Downtown sites and activities that define Memphis. Movies and TV shows about Memphis always show scenes from Downtown. When people consider moving here, they go Downtown to see what this city offers. When businesses think of relocating here, they look to Downtown to gauge the level of economic development in our community. When millions of visitors from around the globe come to Memphis each year, the vast majority stay Downtown. Our whole community s reputation and self-image depend upon Downtown. Downtown is the shared neighborhood for all of Memphis and Shelby County. More than 23,000 people choose to live Downtown, but many more citizens work Downtown, go to school Downtown, or simply visit Downtown for its sports, museums, restaurants, festivals, shows, parks, art, and general vibrancy. Downtown belongs to everyone in Memphis and Shelby County, and it exemplifies our community s unique character and authenticity. If you care about Memphis and Shelby County, you must care about Downtown.

4 Our Goals for Downtown: Downtown is attractive for real estate development and investment. People in Greater Memphis value Downtown and understand the benefits of working, living, learning, shopping, investing, and visiting Downtown. Downtown is friendly and safe. Downtown is clean and green. Getting to and around Downtown is easy, enjoyable and affordable. Downtown is animated, vibrant, and fun. Strategic Plan The intent of this document is to provide a general framework of goals and strategies for the Downtown Memphis Commission in its efforts towards advancing Downtown Memphis. These goals emphasize priorities in attracting investment, safety, transportation, vibrancy, anti-blight, and cleanliness. Primary DMC Metric: Our primary metric is people the number of workers, residents, students, tourists, local visitors, and customers in Downtown Memphis. We are succeeding if we are attracting more people to Downtown Memphis. Secondary DMC Metric: Our secondary metric is commercial property values in Downtown Memphis. The DMC is funded by Downtown commercial property owners, and it is our responsibility to provide services that directly benefit Downtown commercial property owners. Downtown is a great place to work and shop. Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses have equal access to contracting opportunities Downtown. Public spaces in Downtown Memphis are well designed, built, and maintained.

5 Goal: Downtown is attractive for real estate development and investment. Objective: Administer sign regulations and design guidelines for Downtown to ensure a high-quality built environment. Objective: Facilitate and accelerate real estate development in Downtown. Consult and advise real estate developers and investors and track development consultations to determine trends and help determine priorities. Conduct research and provide data to attract more Downtown development. Objective: Serve as urban planners for Downtown to ensure that planning and development meet the needs and interests of Downtown s diverse stakeholders. Strategy: Make recommendations to and implement directives of Design Review Board. Objective: Fight blight to improve the visual appearance and sustainability of Downtown s building stock. Work with property owners to revitalize blighted buildings. Identify target areas for strategic use of funds and resources. Work with law and code enforcement officials to enforce anti-blight laws. Draft planning and strategy documents. Pursue grants for planning and development initiatives. Metrics: Capital invested; fewer blighted buildings; grants received and executed; Objective: Incentivize Downtown development when necessary to increase investment and economic development. DRB applications processed. Strategy: Lead: DMC Planning & Development Department Make recommendations to and implement directives of Center City Revenue Finance Corporation and Center City Development Corporation.

6 Goal: People in Greater Memphis value Downtown and understand the benefits of working, living, learning, shopping, investing, and visiting Downtown. Objective: Increase awareness of Downtown as a choice community to work, live, play and learn. Execute regional communications and marketing plans to promote Downtown businesses, people, places, and character. Provide presentations, tours and open discussions with community, civic, professional and other organizations throughout the greater Memphis area. Maintain entertainment-oriented website and social media outreach. Develop and distribute promotional materials to highlight shops, restaurants and attractions. Coordinate and advertise collaborative events with Downtown businesses. Develop targeted neighborhood branding campaigns. Promote Downtown as a safe place in communication vehicles. Objective: Increase understanding of the economic benefits of public and private investment in Downtown. Educate the community about the benefits of Downtown investment through marketing efforts. Publish a state of downtown communications piece semi-annually. Host tours and presentations for community and business leaders and groups. Educate legislators on the economic impact of Downtown. Communicate the function of the Downtown Memphis Commission and its available resources. Metrics: Number of communications and marketing pieces distributed; advertising reach; website hits and social media followers; tour and presentation attendees; sales generated in Downtown. Lead: DMC Marketing Department

7 Goal: Downtown is Friendly and Safe. Goal: Downtown is Clean and Green. Objective: Provide a welcoming and safe environment for workers, residents and visitors. Objective: Improve cleanliness of public spaces. Work with the city to improve the unsanitary conditions of dumpsters. Continue the Blue Suede Brigade program to provide hospitality ambassadors, eyes on Continue the work crew trash pick-up program. the street, and public safety liaisons for the Downtown community. Encourage more recycling programs. Continue to support the on-street private security team. Develop programs to ensure the cleanliness of the Main Street Mall. Assist with homeless outreach initiatives. Sponsor clean up days with Clean Memphis and other organizations. Work with MPD and partner organizations to increase public safety. Metrics: Staff hours patrolled; calls responded to; number of people assisted; Objective: Create a visually appealing environment for visitors, residents, and workers. crime statistics; panhandling arrests. Lead: DMC Operations Department Maintain and beautify Main Street Pedestrian Mall and Court Square with landscaping. Advocate for more clean programs. Metrics: Public spaces are clean, well-landscaped, and attractive as reported by DMC annual self-audit. Lead: DMC Operations Department

8 Goal: Getting to and around Downtown is easy, enjoyable, and affordable. Objective: Ensure convenient, affordable parking options. Ensure high standards of safety, cleanliness, operations, and affordability for 7 DPA garages. Communicate and market parking options. Work with the city to improve the accessibility and efficiency of on-street parking. Maintain the Wayfinding signage program. Make recommendations to and implement directives of the Downtown Parking Authority. Metrics: Parking customer satisfaction survey results; DPA revenues; annual investment in wayfinding signage. Objective: Support the development of alternative transportation plans and programs. Assist with bike friendly programming and accommodations. Assist with programs that promote improved air-quality and a reduction in traffic congestion. Collaborate with government and non-profit agencies in the planning of alternative transportation networks. Advocate for the development of complete streets downtown. Advocate MATA for improved trolley service. Metrics: Development of alternative transportation programs, plans, and improvement projects; dollars invested in alternative transportation projects. Lead: DMC Operations Department

9 Goal: Downtown is animated, vibrant, and fun for everyone. Objective: Ensure Downtown offers a variety of events and activities that appeal to an array of people. Recruit and/or produce a diversity of key Downtown events and festivals that appeal to a variety of ages, cultures and backgrounds. Manage Downtown event grant program. Support, recruit, and promote attractions, museums, and cultural amenities. Encourage on-street tactical urbanism. Objective: Encourage more public art. Identify key sites for public art and facilitate partnerships with artistic communities to support these projects. Implement storefront improvement initiatives. Cultivate relationships with artistic organizations. Metrics: Number of people attending events; number of groups hosting events; investment in public art; participants at events; number of events. Lead: DMC Marketing Department

10 Goal: Downtown is a great place to work and shop. Objective: Establish and maintain strong relationships with commercial brokers. Develop communication pieces to distribute to the broker community. Host broker events and tours. Assist brokers with client recruitment. Objective: Increase and retain office tenants. Partner with appropriate organizations in recruitment efforts. Maintain relationships with existing office tenants and respond to their needs. Objective: Increase and diversify retail. Recruit unique retail that highlights Memphis authenticity. Recruit retail that serves identified community demands or needs. Market existing retailers to increase retention. Host workshops and seminars to educate retailers on best practices Metrics: Number of office tenants and other workers; number of retailers. Lead: DMC Marketing Department

11 Goal: Minority and Women Owned Businesses have equal access to contracting opportunities Downtown Objective: Ensure that all incentivized projects, as well as DMC s own contract spending, meet the objectives of the DMC s Equal Business Opportunity Program. Monitor and report on staff expenditures. Monitor and report on incentivized projects. Educate key stakeholders on programs. Metrics: Percentage inclusion of WMBEs in incentivized projects; percentage of DMC s internal spending with WMBEs. Lead: DMC Planning and Development Department Goal: Public Spaces in Downtown Memphis are well designed, built, and maintained. Objective: Advocate for more investment in public spaces including streets, sidewalks, parks, plazas and the Main Street Mall. Attract additional public and private funding for Downtown s public places. Work with the City and other stakeholders to improve the design and maintenance of publicly owned property. Metrics: Initiatives are properly funded; public spaces are maintained. Lead: DMC Planning and Development

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