Update From The Executive Director!

Greetings!

We're trying a slightly different format for this week's e-newsletter. The BDC is actively working on several different projects and with many different groups. We'd like to give you a taste of what's going on downtown. Some things happen behind the scenes and so we hope to answer some of your burning questions and also introduce ways for you to get involved in downtown. Enjoy! - Anne Morris, Executive Director

Design
What's up with parking downtown?- As you may know, Parking downtown has been a big topic and concern for both merchants and downtown visitors. This past fall, the City of Burlington contracted with Carl Walker parking consultants to help analyze the current parking situation and provide recommendations for how to make more parking available to customers and how to plan for the future growth of downtown. The preliminary report revealed that downtown Burlington has a total of 3,241 parking spaces downtown, both publicly and privately owned. At peak levels, 52% of these spaces are occupied. The study found that while there is parking availability, it is not necessarily in locations convenient for visitors. The consultants are now working on putting together final recommendations and will present them to City Council and the general public at the April 17th City Council Meeting. If you attended the kick-off public input session or are interested in parking downtown, please make plans to attend! The recommendations will be made available at least a week prior to the public forum on the City of Burlington's website and we will publicize the link through our website and Facebook.

Are there plans for art sculptures downtown? - Yes! The Alamance County Arts Council is moving forward with plans for this year's Willow Walk (an outdoor sculpture and art exhibition and sale), to be held June 2-3 at Willowbrook Park. The City of Burlington has accepted three sculptures purchased by the Arts Council at the last Willow Walk, two of which will be located downtown. This year's budget includes additional sculpture purchases as well as a budget for up to three temporary sculptures that are intended to be placed downtown as well. I will be working with Cary Worthy, the Arts Council and city staff to identify suitable locations for the sculptures, and plan locations for future sculptures!

Are you adding murals downtown? - That's the plan. As part of our Catch the Spirit fundraising campaign, we hope to raise funds to locate at least one if not more murals downtown. The business and property owners along Front Street whose buildings host the current mural facing Webb Avenue have been contacted about their preferences for a new mural. All were very positive about a new mural and open to different concepts. A working committee will be put together to develop a budget and RFQ to move this project forward.

Economic Restructuring

How's the Next Great Place business contest coming along? - We received 10 video submission on January 15th. From there the judging panel selected seven contestants to move forward to the business plan round. Two of the semi-finalists have decided not to move forward, leaving us with semi-finalists. Business plans are in an dfinalists will be announced in the first week of April. From here, three contestants will move forward to compete in the Big Event, which will take place on April 28th at Company Shops Market where we will announce the grand prize winner! The prize package includes a year of free rent, matching funds for business marketing, and up-fit as well as an Alamance County Chamber of Commerce membership. Please visit the contest website, to find out more about our contestants.

Does the BDC still offer grants? - Yes! Our on-going Small Grants Program is open for applications. Please check our website for information on the four grant programs we offer: Building Rehabilitation and Modernization, Business Up-Fit, Residential Development and Marketing Assistance. All grants require a match and are structured as reimbursements. The next deadline is May 30th!

Are there plans to bring a farmer's market back downtown? - Yes! Plans are moving forward to hold a non-profit farmer's market in the Webb Avenue parking lot adjacent to Company Shops Market. Organizers are working with the City of Burlington to finalize logistical details. They hope to have the Saturday morning market up-and-running by April! Look for more information on this as plans proceed.

It looks like a number of new businesses have opened downtown. What else is on the way? - Downtown's newest businesses include The Attic on Main, Mary Katherine's Fine Gifts Boutique, Nest, John Plageman Architecture, Buttons and Bows Children's Boutique, and Haven by Bella's! In the last two months alone, the BDC has fielded 33 independent inquiries for both property and business development. Types of projects being pursued include restaurants, bakeries, night spots, office space and residential. I am also helping potential clients access information regarding historic tax credit applications, finding partners and identifying suitable tenants. We also hope to add several new, exciting businesses through our Next Great Place competition!

Promotions

Do downtown business owners get together to plan? - Yes! BDC and City of Burlington Recreation and Parks staff meet the third Tuesday of each month to coordinate event planning and share opportunities for collaboration. The next meeting is on March 20th. View the side bar on the right to see all known events for 2012.

In This Issue

Design

Economic Restructuring

Promotions

BDC Meetings & Events

February

29th- Deadline for business plan round of the Next Great Place

29th-Small Grants Application Deadline

March

14th-Marketing & Strategic Planning Committee, 8:30am, Depot

16th-ER, Project Development Meeting, 12 Noon, Depot

20th-Downtown Merchants Meeting, 9am, Depot