2016 DSI Annual Report

downtown springfield inc. annual report

2 16 it’s good to be here

CONTENTS of report Our Mission Message from E.D. & Staff Funding Volunteer Councils Attracting Investment Expansion & Growth New Business Special Events District Programming Public Improvements Public Safety #socialwall Best of Downtown Awards

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our MISSION...

Downtown Springfield, Inc. is the capital city’s non-profit and Main Street organization dedicated to increasing economic and cultural vitality in our historic downtown district. The organization was formed in 1993 with broad interests:

Board of Directors

President | Tony Comerio Hanson Professional Services

๏ Supporting Our Retail Community ๏ Filling the Vacancies ๏ Wayfinding, Placemaking & Beautification ๏ Multimodal Transportation Options & Public Safety

Vice President | Shawn Mayernick Illinois State Fair

๏ Marketing the District ๏ Planning the District

THANK YOU

A special thank you to our volunteers for their time, dedication and commitment to advancing the vibrancy of our district and mission of Downtown Springfield, Inc. throughout the year; totaling nearly 2000 volunteer hours! Additionally, DSI was privileged to have our wonderful event intern Kylie Gilmore for this Summer!

Secretary | Jean Bruner-Jachino Carpenter Street Hotel

Treasurer | Josh Clark Kerber Eck Braeckel

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2016 BOARD of TRUSTEES:

2016 BOARD of DIRECTORS:

Jeff Wilday – Brown, Hay & Stephens, Chair Jeff Ball – Hanson Professional Services Julie Cellini - Community Advocate Joe Gibbs/Ruth Rankin – Lincoln Square Apartments Craig Gilson- Ameren Jerold Gruebel – Network Knowledge Geoff Isringhausen – Isringhausen Imports Michael Johnson – US Bank Linda Klein – Illini Bank EJ Kuiper – HSHS St. John’s Hospital Mayor Jim Langfelder - City of Springfield Pat Phalen – Illinois National Bank Graham Prellwitz – Memorial Health Systems Brenda Stroh – Bank of Springfield Chris Warwick – AT&T

Jon Austin– Springfield Area Arts Council Justin Blandford – IL Historic Preservation Agency ** Jann Braun – Horace Mann Companies Tim Butler – State Representative, District 87 Phil Chiles – Capital Area Real Estate Josh Collins – Greater Springfield Chamber ** Karen Davis – City of Springfield ** Barry Friedman – The Alamo Gina Gemberling – Springfield CVB ** Brian Harhausen – Springfield Police Department ** Michael Higgins – Maldaner’s Restaurant Jennifer Isringhausen – Isringhausen Imports Mark Kessler – Recycled Records Kevin Kuhn – Kuhn & Trello Consulting Engineers Destiny Nance-Evans – The Firm Dale Phillips – Lincoln Home National Historic Site ** Andrew Proctor – Alderman, Ward 5** Mike Reisinger – R.W. Troxell Robert Sabin – President Abraham Lincoln a Doubletree Gabe Sanders – Ernst & Young Herman Senor – Alderman, Ward 2** Catie Sheehan – Sangamon County Board, District 28** Norm Sims – Sangamon County Regional Planning** Suanne Tuttle – Lincoln Square Apartments

PAST PRESIDENTS: Mike Houston – Former Mayor, City of Springfield Carolyn Oxtoby – Oxtoby Properties Dennis Bringuet – Ace Sign Company Steve Myers – Myers Commercial Real Estate Barb Malany – Flowers Legrand Cindy Davis – Resource One Mark Tomaw – RSM Chuck Pell – CJP Architects, Inc. Jane Mosey Nicoletta – Resource One Scott Troehler – Monticello Media Karen Conn – Conn’s Hospitality (Immediate Past Pres.)

**Ex Officio Member

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MESSAGE from...

our STAFF

Nathan Bishop

Lisa Clemmons Stott Executive Director Last year at our Annual Dinner, we announced a Call to Action for more of Springfield to fight against the status quo and to work with us to accelerate the revitalization of our beautiful, historic downtown. The response has been both humbling and exciting! Committee participation was boosted by nearly 50% new volunteers, we welcomed 72 new investor members to the organization, and many long-time friends increased their support in numerous ways.

Our collective rallying cry has been "Foot Traffic," which is heavily reflected in the reports from our policy committees starting on page 8. From the simple (sidewalk directional signs and the Holiday Window Decorating Contest) to the complicated (developing a District Brand and putting together plans to fill key vacancies), DSI is the organization leading the way to find and implement solutions.

You can also see how carefully we manage the funds provided by our members and event sponsors. Imagine what we could do together with a comprehensive funding plan for the most-visited neighborhood in our city. Across the country, Main Street districts that are revitalizing at a faster pace are either partially funded by their municipality (the average investment is 1/3rd of their annual budget) or a special neighborhood taxing district where the funds are immediately reinvested back into the district. We hope this Report will surprise and delight you, reminding you of the hundreds of thousands of private investment dollars made and the many creative entrepreneurs who chose this district in the last twelve months. And if it gives you a little ammunition to correct that Internet troll who hasn't visited downtown since 2010, all the better.

Program Director Lyn Young

Office Manager Shanna MacLagan

P.R./Marketing Coordinator 6

2016 resource allocation INCOME

EXPENSES

Programming 1%

Retail Promo.on 5%

Membership 22%

Fes.vals 31%

Farmers Market 17% ARTifica.on 6% 2 FT 2 PT staff 35%

ARTifica.on City Grant 6%

Retail Promo.on 2%

Farmers Market 19%

Fundraisers 18%

Banner Processing Fee 1%

Fes.val 22%

Office 7% Fundraising Expenses 8%

Membership Materials 1%

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DSI councils Retailers Council

Co-Chairs: Melissa Hamilton/ Jean Bruner-Jachino FOCUS: Collective business and marketing strategies to attract foot traffic and create a great customer experience.

Better Blocks Chair: Kevin Kuhn

FOCUS: Reduction in vacant storefronts and increase in upper story residential development.

Brand Council Chair: Phil Chiles FOCUS: Developing a District Brand keyed in on "authentic experience" that will attract density.

2016 Highlights:

2016 Highlights:

2016 Highlights:

๏ First Fridays become a year-round program. Continue experimenting with other district-wide shifts in hours. ๏ Instituted block captain system. ๏ Increased joint marketing efforts.

๏ Created database of first-floor vacancies in core. ๏ Identified retail gaps. ๏ Business attraction priorities are: Indoor Market/Food Hall, Movie Theater or Bowling Alley, and Rooftop Bar/Restaurant/Event Space.

๏ Analyzed other downtown brands. ๏ Conducted multiple focus groups.

2017 Goals: ๏ Lobby for support from city for district needs. ๏ Install permanent wayfinding signage. ๏ Create a collective vision for downtown's future. ๏ Building our neighborhood pride

2017 Goals:

2017 Goals: ๏ Finalize focus groups. ๏ Develop brand options and conduct market testing. ๏ Implement a district brand plus marketing campaign.

๏ Develop repository of relevant data. ๏ Create business attraction materials. ๏ Attract a prioritized business to fill a targeted vacancy.

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Image & Design

Traffic, Parking & Safety

Chair: Alex Block

Chair: Steve Myers

FOCUS: Creative placemaking in the form of gathering spots and beautification

FOCUS: Increase consumer knowledge and ability to navigate downtown and remove barriers.

2016 Highlights:

2016 Highlights:

๏ Frank Lloyd Wright Mural ๏ Grant from Natl. Assn. of Realtors for new parklet in 2017. ๏ Adopt a Street cleanup on 5th quarterly. ๏ Summer Architectural Walking Tours & Upper Story Tour.

๏ Advocacy for parking mobile app for convenience. ๏ Research into turning one-ways back into twoways for economic and safety benefits. ๏ Research into creative parking solutions such as District Valet.

2017 Goals: ๏ Next ARTification round includes greater variety including mosaics and sculptures. ๏ Art Alley Pop Up & National Parking Day. ๏ Installation of Canopy Street Lighting. ๏ Old State Capitol Plaza familyfriendly additions.

Economic Restructuring Chair: Gabe Sanders FOCUS: Remove the financial argument against developing in downtown.

This Council will focus on developing the data and financial incentives needed to attract investors to the downtown market. Key partners are the City and The Chamber. This Council will also weigh in on TIF district.

2017 Goals: ๏ ๏ ๏ ๏

Installation of clearer Public Parking signage.

Formal study for two-way conversion.

Bike-friendly Community status.

Implementation of Parking App.

Coming in 2017 9

attracting INVESTMENT The Villas Downtown Springfield ๏ 300 E. Madison ๏ Infill mixed-use student housing; 70+ units ๏ 60,000 Sq. Ft. Four-Story Building ๏ 6,000 sq. ft. retail/commercial space

St. George Mixed-Use Project ๏ 300 E. Monroe ๏ Historic Rehab: In-Progress ๏ Nine Upper Story 1-3 Bedroom Apartments ๏ Ground Story Retail

Booth Building Mixed-Use Project ๏ 516 E. Monroe ๏ Historic Rehab: Open in 2017 ๏ 21 Upper Story 1-2 Bedroom Apartments ๏ Ground Story Retail

Saint Nicholas Renovations

๏ 20 newly rehabbed units with: ๏ new hardwood floors ๏ new appliances ๏ newly updated bathrooms

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expansion & GROWTH Custom Cup Expansion

๏ 321 E. Monroe St. ๏ Expanded footprint by acquiring next door space ๏ Partnered with Incredibly Delicious to serve pastries ๏ Expansion includes additional indoor/outdoor seating, restroom, kitchen, retail counter

Cafe Moxo (too) Expansion ๏ 1025 S. 6th St ๏ Inside Springfield Clinic ๏ Second Downtown Location

BarNone Outdoor Patio ๏ 245 S. 5th St (in rear, along Monroe) ๏ Repurposed surface parking to create patio ๏ Canopy string lighting and patio seating

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pure new businesses performance choose fitness downtown innovate in 2016 springfield your corner office jojo’s street cuisine 411 Bar & Grill crowdson creative

yoga 7even stop and roll Sushi 12

milk & honey fresh market

capital area real estate

windsolarusa

wet bar

Haxel law

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new balen’s bar & grill BUSINESSES HCI springfield Alternatives vintage 13

Daisy Jane’s

New age psychic

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Frankie’s brewhaus

new ownership re-openings

The elf shelf

Floyds thirst parlor

Norb andy’s

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special EVENTS...

Downtown Throwdown

Thanks to Isringhausen Imports for their premier and long-time sponsorship of this festival. The bacon could have sizzled on its own as temperatures the weekend of July 22-23 reached into the 90's, but that didn't stop nearly 3500 people from enjoying more than 70 delectable dishes created by 12 chefs and their crews. 5Flavors Catering won Judges Favorite and People's Choice Cocktail with the jujges picking Balen's and Z Bistro as second and third place. Hy-Vee won People's Choice Food for the second year in a row. On the music side, we partnered with Bedrock 66 Live and they hosted their usual cultivated set of "bands to keep an eye on," including Motel Mirrors, Western Empire and headliner Nikki Lane. This year, Isringhausen and Marine Bank also made it possible for us to become the most sustainable downtown festival to date -- all of our vendors served on recyclable plates, cups, silverware and napkins.Â

2016 Annual Dinner

Holiday Walks

More than 500 guests enjoyed networking, dinner, and a variety of firsts - "short" speeches by a new Mayor, a new Board President and a new Executive Director. Â

There were many presents under the tree for patrons of this year's Holiday Walks! More than 60 community groups and businesses decorated their windows, the popular HorseDrawn Carriage trotted around the Old State Capitol, Santa and his Historic Sites elves welcomed kids in the Old State Capitol, and our merchants rolled out the red-and-green carpet. DSI organized five pop-up stores in first-floor vacancies to add to the fun. This year's Walks kicked off earlier than ever on Small Business Saturday, including the Community Tree Lighting with the Springfield Showstoppers followed by the Springfield Jaycees' annual Christmas Light Parade. The Tree was provided by Ace Sign Company in honor of Joe and Louise Bringuet. The City did their part to make downtown shine bright, by adding lights around the Old State Capitol fence and extending the lightpole decorations west to 2nd Street.

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special EVENTS Friends of Market Street Dinner The first annual DSI Friends of the Market Street Dinner to s u p p o r t t h e O l d C a p i t o l F a r m e r s M a r k e t w a s threatened by rain, so the party was moved inside the f o r m e r M y e r s B r o t h e r Department Store Building.

Local Chefs came together on May 10 to serve an amazing farm-to-table meal.

Cubs Viewing Party ๏ Partnered with Illinois Historic Pres. Agency ๏ Over 200 attendees ๏ Giant screen on Old State Capitol Lawn

Young Professionals Social DSI and the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce partnered to create an Apr ès Ski t h e m e d y o u n g p r o f e s s i o n a l s s o c i a l o n November 26. We turned Obed & Isaac's Beer Garden into a ski town! The evening featured great food from Obed & Isaac's, including their exclusive special release holiday ale; fire pits, smores/hot chocolate bar, and even a snowboard simulator. We put on our best “lodge” attire and networked among a diverse group of young professionals all while supporting the revitalization of Downtown!

Upper Story Tour On May 5, the 17th Annual Upper Story Tour provided behind the scenes access to downtown properties. The self-guided tour featured unique and historical residential and c o m m e r c i a l s p a c e s o f t e n o t h e r w i s e inaccessible to the general public, including a brewery and a high-rise penthouse with Capital views. This event was again hosted by the Illinois REALTORS.

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established instagram

architecture walking tours

shop hop

ribbon cuttings new Website

farmers market Partnership (DSI/Genhkids/St.johns/ISA)

first fridays

2016 Programming 17

public IMPROVEMENTS...

Sidewalk Wayfinding: Off 5th/6th

Frank Lloyd Wright Mural: NW Corner of 5th & Monroe

Sixth & Washington Parklet: In-Progress 18

public IMPROVEMENTS The PORCH: a vibrant & prideful old state capitol plaza proposal CREATIVE LIGHTED SWINGS

SPLASH PAD

PING-PONG TABLES

CAFE SEATING W/STRING LIGHTS

DIGITAL WAYFINDING SCREENS

PUBLIC RESTROOMS

VISITORS CENTER KIOSK

GATEWAY SIGNAGE

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public SAFETY Plaza Working Group

DSI assembled a working group to ensure that the Old State Capitol Plaza remain a welcoming center after Springfield's panhandling ordinance coming under fire at the end of 2015. We pulled together our police, legal and medical communities to create a plan to encourage more positive interactions in our central shopping and tourism district. In 2016, regular data sharing between DSI and SPD was also initiated.

Working with the SPD

Downtown's Neighborhood Police Officer (NPO) Dan Weiss was an exceptional community partner in 2016. As he moves on to another role, we welcome Officer Brian Harhausen. The Springfield Police Department is very responsive and committed to the safety needs of citizens, businesses and visitors alike. They added additional beat patrols to the area, at our request, during the summer months. We plan to work with them in 2017 to develop a comprehensive plan for increased bicycle and foot patrols throughout the year, to meet the needs of our growing entertainment district and residential neighborhood.

Stay-Away Orders Thanks to our efforts, a stay-away order can now be used as a tool to make our neighborhood safer. A judge can order that a criminal defendant stay out of the downtown center as a condition of their bond or probation.

This order allows the attorney, the court and the police department to work together to lessen repeat criminal offenses.

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#socialwall largest reach most post clicks most comments

most likes

most shares

d l e i f ring

p s n w o t n #dow cudntwn # !

DSI Facebook Page Likes 60% increase in 2016!

NEW WEBSITE: NEARLY 18,000 WEBSITE VISITORS in DECEMBER 21

Congratulations!

2016 BEST OF DOWNTOWN

Award Winners

OUTSTANDING SIGNAGE

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

BEST RETAIL BUSINESS

BEST RESTAURANT

BEST NIGHTLIFE

CREATIVE PROMOTION

INNOVATIVE BUSINESS CONCEPT

NOT FOR PROFIT INITIATIVE

DOWNTOWN ADVOCATE

VOLUNTEER OF YEAR

WALLY HENDERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

window display

INT’L FOLK DANCERS

best event

DOWNHOME

FLOYD’S THIRST PARLOR

ACE SIGN & SAA

JOJO’S STREET CUISINE OBED & ISAAC’S BEER GARDEN FLOYD’S THIRST PARLOR

SPRINGFIELD BLACK CHAMBER

BRIAN WOJCICKI

JEFF WILDAY

THE CARDOLOGIST

STOP & ROLL SUSHI

NORM SIMS

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downtown springfield inc.

3 w. old state capitol plaza, suite 15 springfield, il 62701 217.544.1723

www.downtownspringfield.org facebook: downtownspringfieldinc twitter: @cudwntn instagram: fomospringfield