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wntoDo wn Ithaca AnnualReport 20

www. downtownith a ca . co m

D ear D ow n tow n

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

• A nationwide reckoning for racial justice and equity • A recession sparked by the pandemic It was an unprecedented test of our collective spirits. Our community lost lives, businesses, and jobs. Our institutions, public, private, educational, and nonprofit, struggled under challenges not experienced in lifetimes. However, we have seemingly emerged on the other side, ready to pick up and build anew. Like every other place both near and far, Downtown Ithaca had its share of problems to overcome. After March 15, foot traffic plummeted, at one point down 83% from the previous year. Most businesses shuttered; office operations went remote, and entertainment venues shuttered and remained closed for over an entire year. Survival was the first order of business. Some of our business brothers and sisters did not make it. Yet, a significant number of downtown businesses did indeed prevail.

C ONTE NT

‰Marketing,Communications&MembershipServices ‰GovernmentRelations&Infrastructure

About DIA

‰ Transportation

Letter to Stakeholders

Covid-19 Pandemic

Business, Retention & Development

OUR VI SI ON:

• A COVID-19 pandemic affecting every aspect of our personal lives and our community economy

TheDowntownIthacaAlliance(DIA)isacomprehensivedowntown revitalizationandmanagementprogramengagedinßveprincipalareas:

‰SpecialEvents

downtownithaca.com

There has been no other year quite like 2020:

WHO WE RE: ‰BusinessRetention&Development

Stak eh o l ders :

Special Events

Downtown Ithaca is the economic, social, and cultural Marketing hear t of Tompkins County. The Downtown Ithaca Alliance strives to preser ve and develop the central Gift Card Servies downtown core as the region¶s center for banking and f inance, business and professional of f ices,Communications government and communit y ser vices, downtown Government Relations & Infrastructure residences, and as a retail and dining destination highlighted by unique specialty shops, restaurant s, Transportation Demand Management ar t s and enter tainment. Downtown ser ves people who live and work downtown, city and county resident s, 2020 Staff & Board of Directors college communities, area visitors and tourist s. Annual Sponsors

12 14 17 18 20

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance rose to the occasion. Our team worked remotely and then staggered shifts in the office when it became possible. Our ambassador staff never missed a beat — serving as essential workers throughout the pandemic, keeping downtown clean and sanitized. Their bravery and persistence were notable. They’ve remained safe and healthy throughout this public health crisis. The Community Outreach Worker Team also quickly re-engaged and provided essential service and support to the growing number of people in and about downtown in need. Our office staff mounted communications, education, and information campaigns to ensure our stakeholders were armed with the latest information and support they needed to navigate funding and assistance programs—local, state, and national. We championed a Small Business Resilience Fund that provided emergency funds to 157 businesses. We offered one-on-one and group support, and our weekly networking support meeting continues to this day. Even our development projects prevailed. Harold’s Square opened its doors, becoming a signature landmark building in the heart of our city. The Green Street Garage Redevelopment projects (Vecino’s Asteri and Jeff Rimland’s Ithacan projects) received their approvals to begin construction. Ithaca College made a significant announcement, committing to opening its new Physicians Assistant (PA) training program downtown. The City of Ithaca, with the financial support of Tompkins County, the DIA, the State of New York, and the Chamber Foundation and the four downtown hotels, approved the Ithaca Community Conference Center project. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a record of achievement. As we look forward, beyond the blur of the pandemic, a reason exists for optimism for the future of downtown. A new 2030 Strategic Plan will soon be released. Development continues and business investment carries on. The fundamental assets of our downtown economy remain in place — recovery will yield to new opportunity. We are striving for that opportunity to be shared by all and embrace programs to aid the goal of greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. We thank the DIA staff, the DIA Board, and our generous and stalwart community partners for pulling us through 2020 and positioning downtown for a future of opportunity.

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Sincerely,

John Guttridge

Gary Ferguson

President, Board of Directors

Executive Director

OVI C 19 D- PNDEMIC: 4

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

downtownithaca.com

ear y in pictures...

New Businesses Open New businesses still opened up for the first time ver in Downtown Ithaca. S ee list of new businesses on page 1 . @TheStephanieWinston

S hops Reopened with New S afety Measures S hops and businesses expressed support for theCreative words of encouragement could be found BLM movement even when their businesses were throughout the community in a show of solidarity. S hops started to safely reope n with limited capacity not open. e guidelines outlined and stringent safety omplianc c by the countyand state in place inside their e plac of business.

Honoring EssentialWorkers

Kiosks Wrapped with Local Art

Black Lives Matter

D owntown Ithaca introduced kiosk art wraps to cover Downtown Ithaca honored the essentialworkers who kept basic Ithaca embraced Black Lives Matters protests and started to services operating in the community. Details on page 2 0 . de commissioned electronic kiosks on the Commons. chart a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. R ead about the project on page 2 0 . Business interiors took on new, creative layouts to ensure safe socialIthaca Masked Up distancing, and limited capacitywas preserved in places of business. The community embraced a new normal for 2 0 and 2 0 1 . Wearing masks in public.

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

soL fo elliv ihod in wntoDo wn measured by foot traffic W h e n t he pan d em i c fo rce d eve ry th i ng to s h ut dow n a nd p e o p l e to stay in th e ir h o me s, th e effe cts were i m m ed i ately felt to bu si nesses and t he presence of p e o pl e i n t he co mmuni ty. Pe de s tri a n C o unte r re p o rts qua ntifie d th e imp a ct of l o ss of fo ot traffic i n com parat ive d at a repor t s wit h t he year pr ior.

F OOT TRF F IC T TROL L E Y C I RC L E : 2019 TO 2020

downtownithaca.com

BUSINESS RETENTION & DEVEOPM L ENT

D E V E L O P M E N T P ROJ E C T S

IthacacontinuestobeabrightlightintheupstateNewYorklandscape,ledbyourDowntowndistrictandit existingandplannedbusinessesanddevelopment.TheDowntownIthacaAllianceservesasafacilitatorfor growthanddevelopment.Helpstoensurethatourbusinessescanthriveandgrow.

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

CURRE NT M JOR PROJEC TS Gre en S t re et Red eve l o p me nt P ro je ct: As te ri , Gre e n S treet G arag e , T he I th a ca n. GREE N S T R E E T G ARAGE & AS T E R I

downtownithaca.com

M JOR PROJECTS COM PL E TE D I N 2020

T E CHNIC L SUPPOR V I S I TT I O N S , & O U T RE C H

Ha ro l d¶s S qua re

Th e re d eve lo pm ent of th e we s te rn two th i rds of th eLo cate d at th e h e a rt of dow ntow n o n th e 1 0 b l o ck Gre en S t re et G arage s i te i s b e i ng l e d by th e Ve cino of th e C o mmo ns p e de stria n ma l l , Ha ro l d¶s S qua re d- use p ro je ct a dde d new reta il sp a ce to th e Gro u p, a M i sso uri - b a s e d nati o na l af fo rd a b l e h omixe Cusing o mmo ns, p re se rv ing th e sca l e of ex isting b uild i ng s. deve lo pe r. Vec i n o wa s s e l e cte d by th e C i ty of Ith a caOn th e Gre e n S tre et side , th e p ro je ct a dde d a to re d eve lo p t he ga ra ge s i te . I t¶s a $ 1 1 2 M i l l io n p ro1 2je ctry re side ntia l towe r, de l ive ring h igh - e nd - sto is expec te d to b re a k gro und duri ng S p ri n g 2 0 2 1 . Th e h o using units to th e co re of th e co mmunity. A lso, As ter i pro j e ct co ns i s ts of th re e ma jo r co mpHa o ne ro nts: l d¶s S qua re offe rs much ne e de d office sp a ce at a co nve nie nt l o catio n. Th e p ro je ct wa s co mp lex - $ 1 2 m i l li o n a nd th e co nstructio n p a ra mete rs we re de ma ndi ng . McGuire D eve l o p me nt, L Ente rp rise s LLC a nd La C h ase - 2 1 8 u n i t s of af fo rda b l e h o us i ng C o nstructio n h e l p e d co mp l ete th is signific ant proj ec t . - Re b u i l t n ew 3 5 0 c a r p a rki ng ga ra ge $ 4 2 mil l io n tota l new inve stme nt - 5 0 , 0 0 S F com m u n i t y co nfe re nce ce nte r 1 8 0 , 0 0 S F tota l new sp a ce Th e proj ec t w i l l h e l p tra ns fo rm G re e n S tre et into 0 0 S F new reta il sp a ce a maj or u r b an th o ro ughfa re , b ri ngi ng new l ife a1 7,nd v it ali t y to t h e ce nte r. C o mp l eti o n i s s ch e dul e5 3d r office sp a ce , 0 0 S Ffo new S p ri n g 2 0 2 3 . 7 8 new h o using units

RETIL SUPPORT & BUSINESS RETENTION

D OWNTOWN I TH C C OM M UNI T Y C ONF E RE NC E C E NTE R

Our D ow ntow n b usine sse s h ave wo rke d h a rd to a d apt to th e new natio na l reta il e nv iro nme nt. D ow ntown we l co me s a n incre dib l e cl a ss of new b usine ss es Par t of t he Ve c i n o p ro je ct i s a two - s to ry, 5 0 , 0 0 0 S F se e king to a dd va l ue a nd succe ss to th e dow ntown co m m u n i t y co nfe re nce ce nte r. T h i s $ 3 4 M i l l io n p roma je ct rketp l a ce . wi ll fe at u re a 1 2 , 3 0 0 S F b a l l ro o m, a juni o r b a l l ro o m Throughout20,theDIAworked a nd breako u t ro o ms , p re - f uncti o n a nd tra de sh ow D OWNTOWN G ROW TH B Y NUM B E RS s pace, an d a f u l l p ro ducti o n ki tch e n. T h e p ro je ct tosupportdowntownbusinesses recei ve d $ 5 . 0 m i ll i o n i n gra nt f undi ng f rom th e S tate of New Yor k ( Em pi re S tate D eve l o p me nt) a nd i s be ing Combined these three projects add: fu n d ed wi t h ro o m/ l o dgi ng ta x reve nue f ro m a cro ss $ 9 0 mil l io n of tota l new inve stme nt the Ci t y. F i n an ci ng s up p o rt co me s f ro m th e C ity of 9 0 , 0 0 tota l S F of new sp a ce Ithac a, wi t h he l p f ro m th e D ow ntow n I th a ca A l l ia nce , To m pk i n s Cou nty, a nd dow ntow n h ote l s ( a i d e d by th7 5 , 0 e0 tota l S F of new office sp a ce Ch am b er of C om m e rce Fo undati o n) . 1 5 , 0 0 tota l S F of new reta il sp a ce

TH E I TH C N ND ROTH S C H I L D B UI L D I NG

1 9 2 tota l units of new h o using

1 3 2 tota l new h ote l ro o ms. Th e easte r n t hi rd of th e G re e n S tre et ga ra ge site is bei n g re d eve lo p e d by deve l o p e r Jef f rey Ri ml a n d. Th i s $ 4 0 m i l li o n p ro je ct w i l l cre ate 2 0 0 uni ts of new h o u si n g plu s 1 5 0 new p a rki ng s p a ce s . T h e p ro je ctThere w il l are several other Downtown development a l so i m prove of f i ce a nd reta i l s p a ce i n th e atta ch e d projects that will be developed in 2 0 1 . Rot hsc hi l d b ui l di ng. I th a ca C o l l e ge¶s Physicia ns As si st ant Ma s te r¶s D e gre e P ro gra m w i l l b e a mo ng th e te n ant s i n t he re novate d s p a ce . G ro undb re a king fo r thi s pro j e c t s ta rte d l ate i n 2 0 2 0 .

MORE PROJEC TS

throughanumberof differentoutreach activitiesandmarketingpromotions.

D OW NTOW NI T H C .C O M , C OV I D - 1 9 R E S O U RC E P G E F O R B U S I N E SS E S , I T H C IS RESILIENT

P O P U P P RO G R M

I n 2 0 2 0 , we la un ch e d a Pop U p P rogra m. T h is late s t D I A in itiative is de s ign e d to p rov ide s h ort- te rm In 2 0 2 0 , we cont inu ed to offer t ar g eted tec h n ica l le a s e s to h e lp s up p ort loca l e ntre p re n e urs s e e kin g su ppor t by m eet ing one- on- onew ihtbu si n e s s for es te mp ora ry s p a ce s for th e ir bus in e s s . T h e Pop - U p i n- d ept h d i sc u ssio ns on m ar ket ing , m an a ge me nt, contra cts a re a n afforda ble option for e ntre p re n e urs , su ccessionni plan ng , and operat ional oncecrn s . D ue We reformatte d th e dow ntow n ith a ca . com h ome p a ge a n d th e a gre e me nts va ry from ve n dor to ve n dor to t he pand em itcher e wa s an u rg ent need to a s s isto t h os t va rious up date s to bus in e s s clos ure s a n d de p e n din g on th e buildin g a n d th e e ntre p re n e ur¶s bu sinesses hei in rt ffor e t s to pi and votd evel op n ew re op e n in gs to h e lp con n e ct th e p ublic to dow ntow n circums ta n ce s . S in ce its in ce ption , five bus in e s s e s pat hs to com m ucat niing w i t h c u stom er swea n d bus in e s s e s . T h e s e te mp ora ry dire ctorie s a ls· o bes ca S un hme in e¶s C re ative D e s ign s , C e nte r C afe by Lou, wor ked one- on- o ne wi t h 3 0 + ind i vid u als an d th e e ntire a ‚ C on cie rge S p re a ds h e et„ s h a re d e le ctron ica llyFwin ith ge r L a ke s B a ke s , T h e B loomwe ll Holiday PopU p , B ID area collecvely t i to d o so. a ll touris m a n d h ote l s ite s dow ntow n to bette rainform n d U rba n B le n dz · h ave be e n p a rt of th is p rogra m. gue s ts a bout w h at a me n itie s a n d bus in e s s e s a re E ac hyear, t he DIA also seek s o visit t wi t h dow ntow n ava ila ble for th e m to e n joy durin g th e ir s tay. bu si nesses e ar tonlabou t t hei concer r ns, is es s, u and oppor t u ni s.teffor i e t s involved week ly vir tua l Addition a lly, we p a rtn e re d w ith th e C ity of I th a ca a n d chec k i n m eet ing s t hat i nc lu d ed rapid ch a n ge s a n da cavoice . com to h os t on dow ntow n ith a ca . com a n d I th We once again partnered with the Tompkins County upd ates reg ardcilosu ng res, c apa c i t i es, cle ng ani up date a G I S ma p p in g dire ctory of bus in e s s offe rin gs Convention and Visitor Bureau on the February 2 0 1 st and ard s, per sonnel m anag t, reli em en effu n din g, a n d a n d h ours of op e ration th at wa s county- w ide ca lle d Winter Recess teacher attraction promotion that i nfor m at ion on uppor s t / m ar ket ing effor twsit hin th e I th a ca is Re s ilie nt. featured spectacular deals on dining, shopping and BID. The fi r st m ont h the ofshu td own in 2 0 2 0 y ielde d T h e ma rketin g te a m a ls o la un ch e d a comp re h e n s ive services. 5 0 + BID bu si nes ses in at tend ce an reg u lar ly. C ov id- 1 9 Re s ource p a ge for dow ntow n bus in e s s e s . Im m ed iate em ail u pd ates and bi ont -m h ly d i ge s t T h e p a ge in clude d re leva nt, informative up date s from em ails were sent to busi nesses i tote rat ree w h a twa s th e C D C , S BA , S tate of New York, C ounty, a n d C ity of sharedtavir t u al m t ee ing s and toowfoll u p w ith th os e I th a ca a bout re lief p a cka ge s , we bin a rs , re - op e n in g Our in- person Merchant Appreciation Night networking who cou ld not at tend . Di rec out t reac h to c h ekci n p roce s s e s , a n d va ccin e information . events were paused in 2 0 due to the pandemic. on PPP, EIDL and Resi liency fu nd prog am r swa s a ls o cond u c ted .

P RT NE R S H I P

NE T WO R K I NG

WEBIN RS

I n 2 0 2 0 , we p roduce d on e we bin a r in h ous e to h e lp me rch a nts le a rn more a bout th e S ma ll B us in e s s D eve lop me nt C e nte r a s a loca l bus in e s s re s ource before th e COV I D s h utdow n s be ga n . Addition a l we bin a rs we orch e s trate d we re th e G re e n S tre et G a ra ge M itigation we bin a r a n d a B uildin g B ette r B ike Frie n dly C ommun ity we bin a r to h e lp p rop e rty ow n e rs The Co llaborative Retail Experience Grant, launched in a n d bus in e s s e s cre ate bike frie n dly workp la ce s . 2 0 1 9 to encourage, support , a nd promote unique activities in ground- level businesses with the intent to ge ne rate morep rese nce insideowntown d retail paces s D urin g COV I D, th e D I A worke d in p a rtn e rs h ip w ith continued in 2 0 . However, with the onset of COVID the s eve ra l oth e r loca l orga n iz ation s to p rov ide 2 0 + parameters for this funding source was shifted to ect re we bin a rs to h e lp inform a n d s up p ort B I D bus in e s s e s . the needs of the current landscape. . The program was Re cordin gs of a ll we bin a rs h os te d in p a rtn e rs h ip s or rede ned in 2 0 as an advertising, promotional, and from outs ide orga n iz ation s we re s h a re d re lia bly a n d marketin g funda ndtemporarily ebranded r t i the R etail quickly w ith dow ntow n bus in e s s e s . Micro- Grant Promotion. Four CREG grant recipients awarded funding prior to shutdown the reworked their projects. S ix additional grants were awarded during the year with nine in total being completed by the end of 20 .

R E T I L M I C RO G R N T C . R. E . G . :

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

PE DE STRI N COUNTE RS

downtownithaca.com

B USI E ST:

NE W B U S I NE SS E S IN 2020

Pedestrian Counters are digital devices installed M O NTH : S eptember 2 0 2 0 , August 2 0 2 0 , March 2 0 2 1 at key locations around the Ithaca Commons to ( in order) monitor foot tra c day in and day out. While there are many points of entry onto the Commons the WE K : August 1 7 - 2 3 , 2 0 2 0 counters provide an excellent source of data to better understand the pedestrian volume, behavior and trends in our downtown. DIA works with a company called LO C ATI O N + DIRECTI O N A LIT :Y Trolley S pring- Board, home based in the UK with US locations Circle- -Westbound and service based out of California & Massachusetts.

VE R G E :

The counters were installed in early March and went online March ,17 2 0 , just days before the nation went into pandemic lockdown. Using the raw data archived TOP 3 DAY( S ) OF THE WEEK :ATURDAY, S FRIDAY, from the previous pedestrian counters stationed at( in the S UNDAY order) Trolley Circle and Aurora S treet, we have been able to comparatively study the pandemic¶s impact to our TOP 4 HOUR( S ) OF THE DAY: 1 : 0 PM, 2 : 0 PM, 1 2 : 0 PM, community at the ground level. 5 : 0 PM ( in order) * Comparative foot tra c data between 2 0 1 9 and 2 0 can be found in the COVID- 1 9 S ection of this report.

TROL L E Y C I RC L E

STUDY PERIOD: March 16, 2020 - March 3 1, 2021 C OM B I NE D F OOT TRF F IC 3 ,3 60, 42 |

ALL LO CATI O N S + ALL DIRECTI O N A LIT Y

BUS IES T MONTH: S EPTEMBER | DAY: S ATURDAY | HOUR: 1 : 0 PM

R E STUR NT ROW

: S EPTEMBER

|DAY:

ATURDAY S

C YUG STR E T

1 1 5 - 2 1 S C ay uga S t, I th a ca

The addition of these 14 new and expanded businesses has contributed continued revitalization and diversification of our community’s central commercial hub.

C ay u g a C re a m e r y

C ay u g a N a i l S p a 1 1 5 N . Aurora S t.

2 1 5 N . C ay uga S t ( D ew itt Ma ll) H o u n d a n d M a re 1 1 8 N . Aurora S t.

1 2 4 E . S tate S t. ( T h e C ommon s )

S EPTEMBER

|DAY:

ATURDAY S

2 0 8 A E . S tate S tre et ( T h e C ommon s ) Ooy’s Deil 2 0 1 N . Aurora S tre et S p a r k s + E m be r s 1 1 8 W. G re e n S t. ( P re s s B ay) The Portrait Studio 1 2 0 W. S tate S tre et Un cl e To d d y ’ s F l e a M a r k e t 2 1 5 E . S tate S tre et ( T h e C ommon s ) 2 0 2 0 - e a r l y 2 0 2 1 E X I ST I N G D OW N TOW N B U S I N E SS E S WHO RELOC TED WITHIN T H E D I ST R I C T: Adrin a D ietra Home G re e n Home . Noth in g Now h e re

1 2 6 E . S tate S tre et ( T h e C ommon s )

Petrun e

LaBodega

2 0 2 0 - e a r l y 2 0 2 1 B U S I N E SS CLO SURES

Lu n a Love H o l i s t i c H a i r Studio 2 1 5 N . C ay uga S t. ( D ew itt Ma ll)

1 1 5 W. G re e n S tre et

North, East, S outh +

Our Remedies

N o t h i n g N o w h e re

O d y s ey B o o k s to re

8 36 , 9 36 | DIRECTIONALITY: Westbound BUS IES T MONTH: HOUR: 1 : 0 PM

This past year was a period of growth and investment in our small business sector.

2 1 5 N . C ay uga S tre et ( D ew itt Ma ll)

1 , 0 3 4 , 2 6 8 | DIRECTIONALITY: North, East, S outh + Westbound BUS IES T MONTH HOUR: 6 : 0 PM

B i g T i m e B a r be r S h o p

K i m ch i

Weekly reports are available by request, please email: 1 , 4 6 1 , 8 2 4 | DIRECTIONALITY: Eastbound toward Aurora allison@downtownithaca. com S t. , Westbound toward Cayuga S t.

2019 PEDESTRI N C OUNTE R RE PORTS

2020 -early 2021 NEW D OW NTOW N B U S I NE SS E S O P E NE D

S un ny D ays of I th a ca

T h e p a n de mic h a s a s ign ifica nt imp a ct on our s ma ll bus in e s s e s . At le a s t 1 2 bus in e s s e s clos e d p e rma n e ntly durin g th e p a n de mic, a n d two bus in e s s e s clos e d jus t p rior to th e p a n de mic due to ow n e rs retirin g or mov in g out of th e a re a .

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

downtownithaca.com

Special enEv ts

S p e cia l Eve nts h a d to ad j u st g reat ly i n 2 0 2 0 , wit h larg e i n per son g at her i ng s o n h o l d a n e mp h a sis was placed on sm aller for m at bu t leng t hier event s a nd v irtua l eve nts. C ancelled event s inc lu d e It hac a Fest ival, Downtown Emp l oye e A p p re ciatio n Week ac t i vat ions, Halloween i n Downtown, S ant a¶s A rriva l , a nd th e C h owder Cook- off.

23 rd CFC U

DOW N TOW N

n wntow Ithaca Do al nu An

Apple

I T H ACA

OWN ITHACA DOWNT

2020 S

Safe & Socially Distant

C F C U SUM M E R C ONC E RT S E RI E S - VI RTU L E XPE R I E NC E

W S : P PL E H RV E ST F E ST I V L B E C M E : PP L E F E ST I V E

WINTER LIGHTS & BITES

Winter Lights & Bites presented byTompkins Trust Company combined the food and bev focused Bite of In 2 0 2 0 , o u r co n ce r t s e ri e s s h i f te d dra mati ca l ly. A iming a s a p l a ce h o l de r fo r th e a nnua l A p p l e Ithaca and Winter Light Festival into a single seasonal celebration. Restaurants oœered discounted fare for dine For t he f i r st ti me , th e s umme r co nce rt se rie s wa Ha s rve st Fe stiva l , w h ich l a st drew 7 0 , 0 0 atte nde e s, in or take out spread out over 2 weeks, while Downtown p re sented i n a 1 0 0 % v i rtua l ca p a ci ty. T h i s sh ift 2wa s 0 2 0 ¶s A p p l e Fe stive sca l e d b a ck to a we e ks l o ng Ithaca was illuminated with a series of projected light ne cessar y d u e to gove rnme nt a nd h e a l th restrictio ns fa rme rs ma rket h e l d o n th e Ith a ca C o mmo ns. Th e installations. a nd g at he r i n g l i mi ts duri ng th e p a nd e mic. Th a r¶s fais rmeyers ma rket saw 6 rotating p ro duce a nd other co n cer t ser i e s s ti l l fe ature d 1 2 co nce rts ra nging in fa rm ve ndo rs p a rticip ate e a ch day th ro ugh o utAt he of projected and physical installations activated mix mu si c al st yl e s i ncl udi ng b l ue gra s s, funk, so , ro ck,return to h a rve st ce l e b ratio n ro ots was we e ul k. Th is the Commons and surrounding streets including S parky a nd hi p- ho p. C on ce rts we re p ro duce d f ro m th e we l l re ce ive d by th e co mmunity a nd se rve d a s th e the Unicorn, Harmonic Lotus Temple, Infinit Bar, h istor i c S t ate T h e atre s ta ge a nd b ro a dc a st ove r th eiratio n fo r a re curring fa rme rs ma rket on t he insp HolidayTree, S anta and S nowmen on the Tompkins Trust DIA we bsi te , Yo uTub e , a nd Fa ce b o o k p a ge s . C o mmo ns in 2 0 2 1 . Building, and additional interactive displays throughout V i r t u al con certs a ctua l ly i ncre a s e d t h e l ife Th of th e e A p p l e Ha rve st Fe stiva l h a s b e e n sup p o rte d bythe Commons. Unfortunately due to rising Covid cases within the county additional programming had to be co n cer t ser i e s , w i th v i ewe rs b e i ng a b l e to jo inToat mp kins Trust C o mp a ny fo r ove r 1 0 ye a rs. cancelled. This entertainment was to include fi e dancers, the i r l ei su re . I n tota l , th e co nce rts s aw a n e stimate d holiday caroling, lightsaber tournament, and cocoa bar. 3 7, 0 0 v i ews, 3 4 , 0 0 0 e n g ag e me nts / s h a re s , w i th a tot al reac h of ove r 7 5 , 0 0 0 . O ur mo s t p o p ul a r s h ow Winter Lights and Bitesf were supported by the Tompkins wa s Roc he ster ¶s ow n D a ni e l l e Po nde r w i th ove r 6 , 5 0 CountyTourism Program, the Hilton Garden Inn, City v iews ac ross Fa ce b o o k, Yo uTub e , a nd th e D I A we b site . Centre Apartments, and Maguire Family of Dealerships. CFCU ret u r n e d t h i s ye a r a s th e co nce rt s e r ie s¶ 1 8 Restaurants participated this yearwith 3 participating p re sent i n g sp o ns o r, w i th a ddi ti o na l s up p o rt by S e ne ca in the business boost opportunity. Beverag e Cor po rati o n, th e I th a ca Ma rri ott D ow ntow n, Wag n e r Vi n eyard s , C ay uga Ra di o G ro up , Ma guire Fam i ly of Deal ers h i p s , V i va Ta que ri a , Pa s t a V itto , the DeWi t t Mal l, a nd C o rne l l U ni ve rs i ty C o m munity Re lat i on s.

CHILI COOK- OFF

G L E RY NI G H T

TheannualChiliCook -Oœ celebratedits23rdyearin201. Functioninginavirtualcapacityduringthepandemic, till S dealingwithgatheringandcapacityrestrictions, Galleryour Nighttakesplaceonthefirst ridayofeachmonth. traditionalin-personformatwouldnotworkthisyear.WhilegallerydoorsremainedclosedtheDIAproduced Alternatively,thisyear¶s -OœCook learnedlessonsfrom virtualimmersiveandinteractivegalleriestoshowcase WinterLightsandBites,andshiftedtoaninrestaurant localartists¶work.Gallerieswerealsoencouragedto promotionstretchedoverweeks. 2+ Chilienthusiastswere activatetheirwindowspacesforthosethatstillwantedthe encouragedtopatronizelocalrestaurantsbydiningwalking inor experienceofGalleryNight.Asrestrictionsliftand orderingtakeout,withhopesoftryingunique œerings chilio doorsstarttoreopengalleries,shops,restaurants,and andsupportingourlocalrestaurantpartners. otherlocationsshareartworkcreatedbyavarietyoflocal andregionalartists.Thewalkingtourcontinuestogrow 28restaurantsparticipatedin201,slightlydownfrom andattractmorevisitorstodowntown.GalleryNightis traditionalyearsseeingmanyrestaurantswhoregularly presentedbyTompkinsTrustCompanyandsupportedin participateremainedclosed.Butawaveoffirsttime partbytheCommunityArtsPartnership. participatingrestaurants(1)joinedinthepromotionensuring C NC E L E D E VE NTS robustoptionsforattendeestoenjoy. DowntownIthacaAllianceteamedupwithGalleryNight participantstobuildvirtualgalleriesusingtheKunstmatrix Thisyear¶sChili-Oœ Cookwinners,selectedbythe onlinesoftware.TheKunstmatrixplatformallowsartiststo D UE TO P ND E M I C : communitythroughonlinevoting:CoveredBridgeMarketexhibittheirworkfromthecomfortofacomputerscreen. wonBestMeatChiliaward,HoundandMarewonBest Thefollowingspecialeventswerecanceledfor BetweenJune20andMarch201,theDIAhasproduced Vegetarian/VeganChili,MamaSaidHandPieswas SpringandFall20duringtheshutdown.These virtual 26 exhibitions,showcasingover450piecesofwork awardedBestChiliInspiredFood,andthecrowdvoted eventsaredesignedwiththegoalinmindto fromvariousartists. theTheSeabringInn/EattheFooodaswinnerofthe bringpeopletogetherindowntownandenjoy People¶sChoiceaward.40onlineballotswerecastwhich . funsocialactivities.Therewasnosuitablevirtual iscomparabletoinpersonchili œcookvoting. o The23nd eventorsafelysociallydistantreplacementthat annualChiliCook -Oœ waspresentedbyMaguireHyundai couldcapturethespiritoftheeventsduringthe SubaruGenesis. pandemic. IthacaFestival HalloweeninDowntown Santa¶sArrivalinDowntown ChowderCook-off DowntownEmployeeAppreciationWeek

M R K E T I NG 14

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

downtownithaca.com

WINTER & SUMMER S LE

SHOP SM LL WEEKEND: PL ID

The pandemic required us to shif t course of all F R I D Y, S M L L B U S I N E SS pl anned promotions for the year. Promotions W E E K E ND S S TURDY & CYBER MONDY were redraf ted to encourage socially distant , low- density or no - density means of shopping, DowntownIthacaorganizesandpromotessalesin Thisyearinanœort e topromotetheholidayshopping DowntownshopshappeningattheendofJanuary and dining and awareness building. seasonyetalsomaintainCovid-19Safetymeasures, aSummersaleattheendofJuly.Participatingretailers DowntownIthacaintroducedShopSmallWeekend,three inthedistrict isc oœer ounts d onseasonal ppar a ela nd New promotions and marketing c ampaigns shoppingdayspromotingdowntown¶ssmall,locally merchandiserangingfrom10-5%oœ .Thisyear,withthe were developed in response to the needs ownedandoperatedspecialtyshopsandbusinesses. pandemic,DIA providedadhocmarketingsupporttohelp that arose throughout the year from Covid- 1 9 safety guideline educ ation c ampaigns to promotesalesatbusinessesoœeringseasonal loseouts. c ShopSmallWeekendstartedtheFridayafterThanksgiving online shopping incentives . S ome previously - traditionallythestarttotheholidayshoppingseason, scheduled promotions were able to operate, followedbySmallBusinessSaturdayandCyberMonday. but with modif ied safety prec autions , while WAS : B I T E OF I T H C Allthreedaysthisyearencouragedcustomerstoutilize others were shif ted to dif ferent times of the additionalshoppingoptionslikecurbsideandin-store year or outright c ancelled for the year bec ause BE C AME : pick-uporshoppingonlinetoreducedensityinsidestores there was not a safe way to implement them. overtheholidays.ShopSmallWeekendwaspromoted WINTER LIGHTS & BITES throughadedicatedadvertisingcampaignaboutthe weekendinadditiontotyingintothewholeHolidayretail Normall yheldthelastweekofJune,theannual dining marketingcampaignthatspansthemonthsofNovember promotion,BiteofIthacafeatures$5‚bites„ of tasty ea ts atrestaurants over all downtown wasputonholdduring throughtheendofDecember. thepandemicshutdo wn.BiteofIthacadidnottakeplace in June20asmostrestaurantsatthistimewerejust reopeningdoorswithonly25%of normaloccupancyand D OW N TOW N E M P L OY E E I TH C L OVE S TE C H E R S staffing vel.Instead,BiteofIthacareturnedinDecember PPRECI TION DISCOUNT tohelpbolster holida y retailshoppinganddiningin C RD IthacaLovesTeachersisadirect-marketinginitiativein downtownthroughout WinterLigh t&Bites. WinterLigh ts partnershipwiththeConventionVisitors & Bureauand &Bitesthisyearwasavailableinsidelimited-capacity Thisyear,alleventspertainingtoEmployeeAppreciation theTompkinsCountyChamberofCommercetopromote diningroomsandalso tak for eawaydiningaswell Weekwerecanceled;however,theDowntownIthaca visitingorstayinginIthacatoK-12teachersandstaœin EmployeeDiscountCardwasrenewedanddistributed theNewYorkpublicschoolsystemduringtheirFebruary toworkersinDowntownatoces,shops,servicesand winterbreak.Foroveryears 10 now,ILThascontinuedto W AS : W E L C OM E S T U D E N T restaurants. beaneœectivepromotiontohelpbusinessesindowntown W E E K E ND duringanespeciallyslowtimeinbusinessandtourism. 280cardsweredistributedtodowntownworkersthis B EC AME : W E L C OM E TakingplaceinFebruaryeachyear,ILTwasthelast year.7Businesses 3 inDowntownIthacacurrentlyoœera promotiontooccurin20beforethepandemicshut S T U D E N T S 1 0 - DY G I V WY E discount. downandoneyearlaterwasabletotakeplaceagainthistimeinavirtualandsociallydistantcapacity. 201, WithIn most studentsreturning Fallsemester for inavirtual ILTwasstretchedover2fullweekstoallowteachersto andremote-learningcapacity, was it notpossibleto spreadouttheiractivitiesandtheregistration passes operate thelargecrowd-gatheringWelcomeStudent movedtoaweb-basedsoftwareapplicationallowingfor Weekendasitnormallywouldtakeplace.Inresponseto teacherstoaccesstheirdeals,check-inatbusinesses and 19safety restrictionsandtohelpnew students theCovidredeemthemfromtheirsmartphonedevices. learnaboutbusinessesinDowntown,DIA organizeda

P RO M OT I O NS

socialmedia10-day contestgiveawayfeaturingdailygift basketgiveawaystostudentstolearnmoreaboutwhat storesaredowntownanditemstheysell.geoA fenced digital marketingcampaign wastargetedtodeliver adsto 9 6 . 5 % of te a ch e r s were fro m New Yo r k S t ate studentsonCornell University campus,IthacaCollege w ith th e m a jor it y v isit ing fro m counti es andTC3campus. campus,

S tati s t i cs of Note: 1 , 8 4 6 red e m pt io ns re co rd e d | 1 , 4 0 6 tea c h e r s re g istered

co nti guous wit h To m p k ins.

OUR HERTS BET S ONE CMPIGN

G I F T C RD I NC E NTI VE PRO G R M

Toencouragepublicsupportforourbusinesscommunity Weputtogetherastimulusmarketingopportunitytohelp throughthepandemic,weestablishedaninformativeand incentonlineortele-sales,andgiftcertificatesalesat unifyingrallycry,OurHeartsBeatasOne. downtownretailshopswhofoundmeaningfulwaysto

conductbusinessandprovidesalestocustomersdespite Ourcampaignprovidedthepublicwithinformationbeing aboutdeemednonessentialandhavingtoclosetheir doorstothegeneralpublic. thebusinessesthatwereopenandwhattheywere offeringintermsofcurbsidepickup,in-person,virtualand takeoutexperiences.Ourcampaigndemonstratedour Weissued andgavetobusinessesdeemednonessential solidarityasanessentialareaofourcommunitythat was Downtown 5 0 1 Ithaca giftcardsintheamountof$5 workingtogetherinpartnershiptocontinuetoprovidefor theneedsofthecommunity,anditshowcasedaneedfor eachatnochargetotheparticipatingbusinesses.These communityoutpouringoffinancialandemotional¶ $5giftcardswereusedwiththeexpresspurposeof supportforourdowntownsmallbusinessesinneed. rewardingcustomerswhoshoppedatlocalbusinesswith anadditionalmonetaryperktoshopagaininDowntown.

Wedevotedthemainpageofourwebsitetoproviding sectionsofinformationregardingCOVIDupdatesandI TH C PRO M I SE C M P IGN shopping,takeout,andbusinesssupportopportunities availableduringtheearlypartofthepandemic. DowntownIthacaalongwithitscommunitypartner organizationspledgedtohelpmakebusinesssafeforall andtodemonstratethiscommitment,createdtheIthaca WealsocreatedanOurHeartsBeatAsOneeventpage Promise. onFacebookdedicatedtolistingstoreandrestaurant re- Thiswasapublichealthandsafetypactamong businesses,residentsandvisitorsmeanttohelpprevent openingsandofferingsduringthepandemic. thespreadofCovid-19inourcommunityandaroundthe state.

WER MSK VIDEO

AlongwiththeTompkinsCountyChamberofCommerce, C NC E L E D PRO M O TI O NS D UE TompkinsCountyAreaDevelopment,CityofIthaca, TO P ND E M I C : Ithaca/TompkinsCountyConventionandVisitorsBureau, andtheTompkinsCountyHealthDepartmentpartnered Thefollowingpromotionsworkedinpartnershipwiththe withFlairStrategicCommunicationstocreateapublic SpecialEventsteammembers werecanceledfor Spring servicevideothatplacedalocalspinonwearingamask andFall20duringtheshutdown,butscheduledto duringtheCOVIDpandemic. returninasocially distantandmostlyvirtual capacity in spring201. Thevideoconsistedofamontageofphotographs SPRINGFASHIONWEEK showinglocalswearingtheirmaskswhilevisiting communitylandmarksandpopularscenicsitesaround DOWNTOWNLIVINGTOUR thecountywhileCityofIthacaMayorSvanteMyrick deliveredaneducationalmessagethatstressesthe importanceofmask-wearinginpublic.Themessagebuilt onTompkinsCounty¶sandIthaca¶songoingeffortsto protectresidentsandvisitorsandslowthespreadof COVID.

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

downtownithaca.com

D OW NTOWNI TH C .C OM

20 18

20 19

20 20

SITE BEHAVIOR - TOP 5 PAGES ON SITE:

Downtownithaca. com saw a drop in visitors and pageviews, and much of this can be attributed to loss of special events site tra c. HOME/ INDEX: 37,857 | + 5.3% Covid-1 9 Response content targeted for general consumer use + district members use closed helped reduce the gap, but did / TAKEOUTDINING: 20,820|NewPage not close it entirely. In 2 0 1 , with new S EO & S EM strategies + the /APPLE-HARVEST-FESTIVAL: 19,829* eventual return of events in some size capacity , we hope to close /DIRECTORY/DINING:14,577|-5.92% the gap and see growth on the site again.

APR. 2 0 - MAR. 2 0 1 ANALYTICS : TOTAL NEW & RETURNING US ERS : 1 4 , 2 1

/DIRECTORY/SHOPPING:

G I FT C RDS Considered the most versatile card in the area, it is accepted at over 1 0 downtown locations and works just like a prepaid Visa or MasterCard gift card.

13,714 | -26%**

TOP CHANNEL ACQUISITIONS:

TOTAL PAGE VIEWS : 326, 41

pril 2020 - March 2021

: Facebook Event Pages, VisitIthaca. com, TOP REFERRALS Fingerlakes. org, Ithacavoice. com, NewYorkUpstate. com, and IloveNY. com

Organic: 60.%

US ERS :

Social:5.4%

Referral:8.3%

Display: 3.8%

NEW US ERS : 8 9 , 8 17 | - 9 . 8 4%

PAGES/S ES S ION:

1 . 9 5 | + 1 2 . 1 2%

AVG. S ES S ION DURATION: 1 . 3 6 min. | + 2 6 % BOUNCE RATE: 5 9 . 6 % | - 1 3 . 8 %

pri l 20 19 M arch 20 20

pri l 20 20 M arch 20 21

G i ft cards s o l d: 1,10 7

G i ft cards s o l d: 1,126

G I F T C RD S S OL D : 9 23

D o l l ars k ept l o cal : 59 ,60 0 .0 0

D o l l ars k ept l o cal :

D OL L RS K E P T L OC L : $41,655

$58,0 0 0 .0 0

Direct: 18.4%

8 9 ,3 5 2 | -1 . 8 6%

TOTAL PAGE VIEWS : 2 ,7 0 5 6 | -2 . 3 2

The Downtown Ithaca gift card provides customers with large a variety of hopping s and dining options in the district and more i mportantly keeps store purchas e slocal and retains more tax dollars in community. the The DIA maintains the gift card program at no cost to downtown busines se s.

pri l 20 18 M arch 20 19

TOP WE B SI TE R

EFERRALS: pril 2020 - March 2021 Facebook.com: 38.5% Visitithaca. 23.8% com: IthacaVoice.com:10.2% IthacaPromise.com: 6.8%

OU R H E RT B E T S O N E : S H O P L OC L G I F T C R D I N C E N T I V E D U R I N G P ND E M I C As a COVID- 1 9 Response Initiative, DIA team introduced a gift card incentive to encourage locals to support local businesses. DIA provided 2 0 x $ 5 gift cards to businesses to give away with purchase of $ 2 5 or more in store. The incentive program stimulated $ 5 , 0 0 + in sales at participating local businesses.

DOWNTOWN

ITHACA

Support Our Local Businesses Reopening

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Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

unCom ications

downtownithaca.com

Social Media Insight

SPECIAL GUIDE TO CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS DOWNTOWN

2 0 2 1

D O W N T O W N

I T H A C A

HOLIDAY Guide

Downtown Ithaca utilizes key social media outlets to market to residents, students and visitors. It also provides valuable insight about how people engage with our downtown. Of all the social media accessible, Downtown Ithaca uses Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and occasionally SnapChat to reach a variety of audiences.

S P R I N G / S U M M E R

ITHACA G

DOWNTOWN

ITHACA

MAKING BUSINESS SAFE FOR ALL. N O V E M B E R

N E WSL E T TE R S: E NE W S, S T K E H OL D E R S & T R NSP OR TT

B I - NNU L S E S ON L G UI D E S

D E C E M B E R

2 0 2 0

•

H OL I D Y G I F T G U I D E I NS E RT

ION T he Downtown Ithaca Alliance produces a We produced a holiday gift guide insert Guide twice each year. The issues for the winter season. This holiday insert Th e Do w ntown I t ha caA l l i a nce di s tri bS easonal ute s come out just around the turn between was jammed packed with holiday shopping a we ek ly e m ai l n ews l ettewr i th eve nts , ons ·S pring/ deals, special events, gift ideas, and more mem b er b u si n e s s a nno unce me nts , a ndwarmer andcoolerseas S ummer, Wi nter/ Fall. The g ui de v aries ni for visitors and locals to enjoy during the p rom ot i o n s ha p p e ni ng i n D ow ntow n page length and contains an area map, holiday season. 2 , 5 0 were distributed with Ithac a. T he E- News s e nds we e kly t o o ve r 5 , 0 0 i n d i vi d u als , i ncl udi ng b us i ne sdates s andfor special events, and a directoryS easonal Guides. p ro pe r t y own e r s, re s i de nts , of f i ce s , a ndof downtown retail stores, restaurants, lodging, and services. ev e n t at t e n d ees wh o s ub s criob eth te ne wsle t t er .

F C E S OF D OW NTOW N

Addit ionally, the seaso nal guides help In 2 0 , we worked with nine businesses to tour ists and residents find a restauranthelp for all A d d i t i o n all e DIyA, th e ma i l s Q ua rte rl y them create a proßle for our campaign t astes and occasions, information on m e m b er m ai l n e ws l e tte rs ge a rew d a rd to dubbed Faces of Downtown which we parking, attractions, and. more In 2 0 , the BID st ak eho ld ers , me rch a nts a nd feature on our website and social media. We circulated over 3 5 , 0 guides to rest au r an t s, up da ti ng th e m o n i mp o DIA rta nt will continue to showcase our downtown businesses, colleges, restaurants, and hotels. dow n t ow n n ews. P l us , w e p ro v i de a businesses and entrepreneurs throughout O ur 2 0 guides also introduced a special mon t hly t r an stpaoti r o n ne w s lr e tte to o ur 20 1 . s si ngp roducts avai labl e at tr an spor t at i o n de ma nd ma na ge me nt ( Gs Oe ctionhowca downtown retail stores. The Fall/ nt Wi er IT HACA) m e m b er s w h i ch p ro v i de hs e mt e dition e at fure dinformative Covid- 1 9 wi t h i n f o r m at o nihoanp p e ni ngs i n th e Respons e in formation for visitors ocals. and l tr an spo r t at i o n w o rl d.

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2020: 21,966 likes | +1.6%

2020: 10,791 followers | +19.92%

2020: 8,806 followers |+3.6%

2020: 8,806 followers | +3.6%

2019: 21,619 likes | +4.8%

2019: 8,998 followers | + 19%

2019: 8,502 followers | 3%

2019: 8,502 followers | + 3%

2018: 20,632 likes

2018: 7,582 followers

2018: 8,273 followers

2017: 19,817 likes

2017: 5,770 followers

2017: 7,907 followers

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

downtownithaca.com

ern v o G enm t Relatis n o&fras n I tructure D OWNTOWN M B SS D ORS

have easy access to hand sanitizer. Ambassadors also every square inch! Our community enjoyed the debut of expanded cleaning eœorts to include frequent disinfecting the colorful addition to Downtown just in time for Winter Throughout the COVID-1 9 crisis, clean team ambassadors of public use handrails, chairs tables and commonlyLights and Bites. have continued to work on a daily basis, keeping the touched surfaces around downtown. downtown and Commons area clean and attractive. Ambassadors are also performing sanitizing work as well, to minimize danger and public health concerns for our visitors and guests. The main task has been sanitizing amenities such as crosswalk signals, waste receptacles, and other Working in partnership with the City of Ithaca, DIA‚Pay It Forward„ is a community partnership that enables in need to easily access food, toiletries and public ßxtures. This work will continue as a priority as we go identified 6 curbside locations along streets persons in the district supplies on the street. This year, the program received through our recovery process. that could serve as temporary curbside pickup locations. hundreds of dollars in monetary donations from the Customers could pull up and park for 1 5 minutes without The clean team also kept busy watering, weeding, boxes located on the Commons. These funds were then impunity to wait for shopkeepers to bring them their shoveling, cleaning up litter, and removing gra ti. We given to the program¶s participating businesses so they purchased goods to their car. DIA provided high visibility also continued our partnership with TCAT for bus stop could sandwich board signs for each location. At the end of provide products to those in need. maintenance, and partnered with the City to augment 2 0 2 0 , the temporary curbside pickup locations were their work, including trash removal on weekends and City converted into permanent curbside pickup locations holidays. Clean crew ambassadors work all 1 2 months of the with permanent signage installed by the city on street year, and can be found Downtown 7 days a week! posts. These locations include one on Aurora S treet, S eneca S treet, and Cayuga S treet to service landlocked businesses on the Commons. One on Buffalo S treet andThe DIA co- funds the Family & Children¶s S ervices S eneca S treet to service Dewitt Mall, plus one on Green Community Outreach Worker Program, established as a means to reach out to and assist at- risk populations. S treet at Press Bay Alley.

C U R B S I D E PI C K U P L OC T I ON S

PY I T F O RW R D P I L OT P RO G R M N D G R N T W R D

COMMUNITY OUTRE CH WO R K E R P RO G R M

L I G H T P OL E B NNE R P ROG R M

A second team member, Natalya Cowilch, was added

to work with Tammy Baker this year. The two of them Throughout the year, decorative seasonal banners are have been building relationships with individuals in the hung along the light poles on the north side along the program area, which extends from the Commons to Commons. Twelve light poles in all, the banners are Covid safety guidelines severely limited the capacity Meadow S treet, Dewitt Park, and the Tompkins County switched out every 4 months to feature seaso nal imagery inside shops and restaurants. For restaurants, this Library. Tammy also met with businesses and Public and messages. Each light pole is sponsored by a district landlords, distinct human service agencies, city and business for the year in order to make the program was especially challenging. However, outdoor dining was sanctioned and encouraged by the S tate of New county agencies, and area churches. These meetings possible

U ROR ST R E T E RY

York- - provided enough space between tables could have led to excellent collaborations. The two combined be maintained. Working in partnership with the City of interact with, on average, six to 1 2 individuals per day Ithaca, DIA helped to close the 1 0 block of N. Aurora E SSE NTI L WOR K E R S and have had over 4 , 0 0 individual interactions and street to car Tra c. This allowed the restaurants to more than 1 0 , 0 0 encounters since the program¶s B NNE R S expand their outdoor dining footprint the full expanse inception. For the 2 nd banner installation of the year, DIA created a of the sidewalk area in front of their business out to the curb. Ramps were installed and pedestrian tra c was series of banners honoring at large the essential workers I T H C C O M M O N S K I O S K RT routed into the full expanse of the street. who continued to work and keep operations and essential work ow going around the community when most people were required to stay home or work from home. The banner series was tribute to their hard work and dedication to keeping the community operating through the pandemic. The Commons again looked quite festive with the 2 7

H OL I D Y D E C OR T I ON S

WR PS

The four digital kiosks on the Ithaca Commons were decommissioned this S pringtime; however the kiosk units house important tech hardware components for snow ake holiday lights. This year, Downtown Ithaca the Commons operations and could not be removed added 1 5 additional smaller snow ake light installations entirely. To beautify these out of service machines, H N D S NI TI ZE R STTI O NS & along the 1 0 W. M. L. K. Jr. S t. and 3 0 E. M. L. K. Jr. S t. Downtown Ithaca wrapped the kiosks with art murals block. and wayßnding maps. The kiosks feature artwork by I N C RE SE D C L E NI NG Terry Plater and graphic design by Lora Morrow. The Working in partnership with the City of Ithaca, DIA sourced kiosk artwork was designed to represent core values Also in 2 0 , Downtown Ithaca added a new, and installed several hand sanitizer dispenser stations and support for the Black Lives Matter Movement as color- changing LED Holiday Tree. Measuring around the Ithaca Commons to help residents and visitors as the LGBTQ+ community. approximately 1 5 ¶ in height, the tree is illuminatedwell from

Transportation Demand Management GO ITH C TM & TDM PL NNER D E M O NST R T I O N

and use more aœordable and sustainable modes of transportation for their commute and to complete errands. The TMA was launched in January 2 0 and currently oœers transportation ßts bene to nearly 2 0 individuals members and 1 2 businesses. It also works with the city on its policy planning for new developments.

During mid 2 0 1 9 , the City of Ithaca was awarded a New York S tate Department of Environmental Conservation S mart Communities grant to continue transportation demand management e œorts. The City contracted the DIA to build its GO ITHACA program into a full fl dged Transportation Management Association ( TMA) aimed at helping workers and residents in Ithaca¶s urbanized area locate

O ITHACA

ran G t Writign &Grant unF dign

ran G t unF dign Recipients:

The DIA leverages its BID resources by

To m pk i n s C o un ty To uri s m Pro gram undertaking grant writing. In 2 0 through G ran t; F es ti v al s Pro gram April 2 0 1 , this grant writing resulted in $ 5 2 5 , 4 0 in new grants and 4$7 , 2 9 2 . 9 3 in ongoing grant funding. Much of this

To m pk i n s C o un ty To uri s m G ran t; D o w n to w n m bas s ado rs G ran t

funding is passed directly onto downtown M ai n Street G ran t (w arded pri l constituents for specißc projects and 2021) programs. Sus tai n abl e To m pk i n s Nei gh bo rh o d G ran t (w arded i n pri l 20 21) TM /TD M PROG R M - NYSD E C C l i m ate Sm art C o m un i ti es G ran t

Downtown Ithaca Annual Report 2020

downtownithaca.com

2020 ID STFF

B OF ORD DIRECTORS STEVE HEDRICK, OUTGOING PRESIDENT Morg an S t an ley JOHN GUTTRIDGE, INCOMING PRESIDENT Br i g ht wo r k s C o mp ute r Co n su lt i n g , U rb a n C o re L LC SHLEY CKE, FIRST VP, VP FOR BUSINESS RETENTION & DEVEOPM L ENT

BRETT BOSSRD, SECRETRY C i ne ma p o l is CHRIS HYDE

DUSTIN PTTE

RY G FERGUSON

D ow ntow n Re side nt

EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

SON J SIDLE

KRISTIN LEWIS

LISON GRFFIN

OPERATIONSDIRECTOR

DEPUTYDIRECTOR

To mp kins C o rtl a nd Trav i s H yde Pro p e rtie sC o mmunity C o l l e ge

THC Y HRT

SVNTE MYRICK

I th a ca Ma rriott o n th eC ity of Ith a ca C o mmo ns JODI LPIERRE

TOM KNIPE

C i ty of I th a c a

To mp kins C o unty C h a mb e r of C o mme rce

NIOLC E PGNO, VP FOR DOWNTOWN OPERTIONS OMC MITTEE

NDRE RDG INER

NJ NORMN

P ro p e rty O w ne r

Ith a ca ma de

Gre en S t re et P harma cy

DEIRDRE KURZWEIL

VID D PRUNTY

JOE WETMORE, VP FOR DOWNTOWN EVENTS OVERSIGHT OMC MITTEE

S unny D ays

Ith a ca C o l l e ge

JUSTIN HJORTSHOJ

MY OHC EN

Petrune

One Ring D o nuts

NTHN LYMN

NN KELS

I th a ca Re nting

C o unty Le gisl ature

T he Water shed & T h e Dow n st ai r s

Au t u m n Leaves Us e d B o o ks YB PETERSON, VP FOR MRKETING OVERSIGHT OMC MITTEE

SUSN RILEY

LISON GRFFIN MARKETINGDIRECTOR

RLD ENE M. WILBER COMMUNICATIONSMANAGER/GO ITHACAOUTREACHCOORDINATOR

KRISTIN THELN BUSINESSOUTREACHCOORDINATOR

OR L MORROW GRAPHICDESIGNER

SCOTT ROUGUE SPECIALEVENTSDIRECTOR

OLIVI PSTEL SPECIALEVENTSASSOCIATE

To m pk i n s Tr us t C o mp a ny

C o rne l l U ni ve rsity

MERCEDS REDMON

FRED SCHOEPS, VP FOR TRNSPORTTION OMC MITTEE

SM PRLETT

OFFICEMANAGER

B e nja mi n Pete rs

URE L N BUZZI G

1 0 4 E . S t ate S t reet , L LC

TERI TRSHUS

GOITHACAPROGRAMMANAGER

NMEG VIDLER, TRESURER

SEPH MURTGH

Hom e G re en Ho m e

C i ty of I th a c a

H i l to n G a rd e n Inn

2021 DI STFF

TIM VROS M LEADAMBASADOR S

JUD WIPF AMBASADOR S

UKL E SJOLUND AMBASADOR S

Y FERGUSON

MARKETINGDIRECTOR

RLD ENE M. WILBER COMMUNICATIONS,RESEARCH& GRANTSDIRECTOR

KRISTIN THELN BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

OR L MORROW ARTDIRECTOR

SCOTT ROUGUE

THNK YOU TO OUR 2020 DI SPONSORS

SPECIALEVENTSDIRECTOR

Tompkins Trust Company CFU unCom ity Credit Union Seneca Beverage Ithaca Marriott wntoDo wn on The

OLIVI PSTEL OPERATIONSDIRECTOR

MERCEDS REDMON OFFICEDIRECTOR

URE L N BUZZI G GOITHACAPROGRAMDIRECTOR

TIM VROS M LEADAMBASADOR S

JUD WIPF AMBASADOR S

UKL E SJOLUND AMBASADOR S

Comns

Maguire Hyundai Subaru Genesis Wagner Vineyards Cayuga Radio Group Cinemapolis unCom ity rts Partnership (CP) Cornell Uners iv ity unCom ity Relations Dewitt Mall

Ithaca Guitar Works Sound on Sound Productions Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Plannig Board Vision Financial Credit Union Tompkins Chamber Viav Taqueria Pasta Vitto

C O NT C T// O f f i ce : 1 7 1 E M . L . K . Jr. S t , I t h aca, NY 1 4 8 5 0 P h o n e : ( 6 07 ) 2 7 7- 8 6 7 9 E- m a i l : i nfo @ d ow ntown i thaca. com w w w. d ow ntow n i t h a c a. com

Downtown Ithaca Alliance: 2020 Annual Report