Goals

Goal 1: Support Economic Growth Downtown

• Vacancy Activation Program: Bring back Win this Space to fill vacant storefronts with pop-up shops, co-working spaces, or galleries, etc.
• Small Business Incubator: Partnering with Community Futures, Chamber of Commerce and other organizations to create a support hub to mentor and fund local start-ups, focusing on diverse and innovative business models.
• Anchor Tenant Recruitment: Attract key businesses or institutions to establish themselves downtown (2nd and 3rd floor businesses), boosting foot traffic and economic activity.
• Evolution of the Boro Card System: This project will focus on streamlining operations, cost-savings, improving user experience and expanding the program’s reach to drive more traffic to downtown businesses.
• Boundary expansion: to include VBIA, Associate Membership, Event Centre

Goal 2: Revitalize Downtown Vibrancy

• Develop a calendar of activities to keep downtown lively year-round
• Downtown Festival Series: Launch events such as food festivals, wellness events, concerts, capturing a diversity of cultures and demographics to animate the Quaker Square
• Pop-Up Program: Introduce temporary experiences to surprise and delight, like street markets, open-air movie nights or art installations in under-utilized spaces
• Community Co-Creation Lab: Partner with local artists, businesses and residents to ideate and co-host unique downtown events

Goal 3: Enhance Downtown’s Beauty

• Art in Public Spaces: Commission new murals, interactive/seasonal sculptures, or creative lighting installations to enhance the downtown aesthetic
• Seasonal Streetscaping: Introduce rotating seasonal displays like flower-filled planters/baskets in summer or themed decorations in winter, Halloween sculptures in the Fall, etc.
• Downtown Wayfinding and Signage Enhancement project aims to create a cohesive and visually appealing signage system that improves navigation to downtown or parking and enhances the overall visitor experience (directional signs, informational kiosks, and welcome signage).
• Green Infrastructure Pilot: Implement eco-friendly projects like rain gardens, alleyway wall gardens, depave-projects or parklets to improve sustainability
• Partnership with the City: Public Works maintenance

Goal 4: Elevate Downtown’s Brand

• Digital Experience Platform: Create an interactive website featuring downtown directories, event calendars and self-guided tours, etc
• Event Marketing: These campaigns promote the diverse calendar of events from seasonal festivals and cultural celebrations to pop-up markets and live performances
• Shop Local Campaign: Promotional campaigns to highlight small businesses or during key shopping seasons like back-to-school or holiday shopping passport, Boro Card, Shop, Dine, Enjoy!
• Storytelling Series: Share engaging stories of downtown entrepreneurs, artists and visitors through social media and newsletters
• Downtown Merchandise Program: This initiative includes developing high-quality, locally sourced merchandise that showcase downtown’s identity. Proceeds from sales will be reinvested into downtown programs, events and beautification efforts.
• DBIA Membership Communications: Dedicated to keeping downtown businesses informed, engaged, and connected – newsletters and direct outreach, town halls, etc.

Goal 5: Strengthen Operational Excellence

• Board and Staff Development Workshops: Offer leadership, governance and skill training for DBIA board members and staff to enhance decision-making, collaboration and succession
• Stakeholder Engagement CRM System: Develop a structured approach to gather input from businesses and residents through surveys, town halls, or advisory committees
• Policy Modernization: Update operational policies, constitution and bylaws to streamline processes like vendor approvals, event permitting and communications
• Establish a volunteer program

Goal 6: Foster Financial Resilience

• Grants & Sponsorship Hub: Develop a dedicated team or toolkit to identify and apply for grants and secure sponsorships for events, beautification and infrastructure projects
• Efficiency Audit: Conduct an operational efficiency review to identify cost-saving opportunities and reallocate resources to high-impact areas
• Reserve Fund Creation: Establish a contingency fund for emergency needs or unexpected opportunities
• Timeline and Milestones: Set clear deadlines for budget approval, project initiation, and major spending periods. Identify key milestones to track progress throughout the year
• Long-term Financial Planning: Growth Opportunities
• Redefine Expense Categories in the Budget