Director's Take

2023 Wrap-Up

12-20-2023

Today is my 2nd anniversary in this job, and I am enjoying looking back at all that we have accomplished in that (short? long?) time and how different our Downtown is because of YOU.
 
YOU have attended events, worked on projects, added beautification to your property, picked up litter, donated money, brought a friend to something new, sent encouraging notes, and more… and WE, the community, are all better for it.
 
We will continue to do in 2024 what we’ve done the last two years, but I’m also excited to set my sights on the next year with some next-level projects and initiatives. I guess I’ve just been warming up.
 
My goals for 2024 include:

1. Creating additional financial resources or incentives, with the help of the city administration and state legislature, to include new funding for residential conversion and new and expanded facilities and services for our homeless population, as well a new grant program for façade lighting.
2. Improving infrastructure and safety issues, which includes advocating for city dollars in Public Works’ budget for additional street lighting, fixing broken curbs, and string lighting project; and finishing the LED light project in Main and Market Street underpasses.
3. Developing more activations, community engagement, and new beautification efforts, consisting of new events at the Plaza on 4^th, a new audio walking tour program, and a public piano program.

If you’re not working forward, you’re going backward, or at least I think that’s how it goes. A great Downtown means many things to many people, so please let us know what is exciting and interesting to you too.
 
As we close out 2023 and look forward, I want you to be contagious in your love of Downtown. Bring a friend downtown to do something they may not otherwise do, and share your positivity about Downtown in a public way. As I said at the top, it takes all of us.
 
Hope to see you on the streets soon!