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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda Report - September 1, 1993 (54)f t f CITY OF LODI AGENDA TITLE: MEETING DATE: PREPARED BY: RECOMMENDED ACTION: Nk • COUNCIL COMMUNICATION f Downtown Revitalization Plan September 1, 1993 City Manager BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Discussion and appropriate action. The City of Lodi hosted a "Downtown Revitalization Symposium" on August 5, 1993 for businesses, City staff, and citizens of Lodi. The symposium was sponsored by out-of-pocket expense to the City. design and planning firm Freedman, discussion and presentation on the following morning, Mr. Freedman met 20 businesses in the community with no Michael Freedman, Principal of the urban Tung, and Bottomley, led an animated topic of "downtown revitalization." The with City staff and business owners to conduct a follow-up discussion on the evening's event. The diagnosis for Lodi, according to Mr. Freedman, and with concurrence by many business owners, is that downtown Lodi is half dead. Although the diagnosis is not all the good, the preparation and implementation of a Downtown Master Plan would in likelihood bring businesses and people back into the downtown area. One of keys to Lodi's downtown revitalization is to not compete directly with the "big box" stores (i.e. Wal-Mart, IC -Mart, Walgreen, . . .) but to instead, foc,“, on creating an atmosphere which will draw people downtown for special services and retail opportunities. Much of the revitalization is dependent upon the image or vision which Lodi wants for its downtown area. The reaction to the symposium has been extremely positive, with only a few businesses remaining skeptical on the idea of a downtown revitalization plan. There is a high energy level and much enthusiasm among many downtown merchants. Members of the Lodi Downtown Business Association (LDBA) and the Lodi District Chamber of Commerce will be pr'isent at the Council meeting to comment on the symposium and the concept of a Downtown Master Plan. Attached is a copy of correspondence to the City Council from the LDBA President Ken Cantrell and a list of signatures from downtown businesses. APPROVED - tJ THOMAS A PETERSON er.ycgea pope City Manager CC -1 Downtown Revitalization Plan September 1, 1993 Page Two FUNDING: None at this time Respectfully submitted, Thomas A. Peterson City Manager Prepared by Janet S. Keeter Economic Development Coordinator TAP:br Attachment CCCOM836/TXTA.07A August 25, 1993 Lodi City Councilmembers City of Lodi P.O. Box 3006 Lodi, CA 95240-1910 Dear Councilmembers: On August 5, 1993, downtown businesses along with concerned citizens and City staff, attended a "Downtown Revitalization Symposium" by Michael Freedman. The Symposium was coordinated by City staff but paid for by businesses and individuals in the community. The Symposium was quite a success with close to 100 attendees in the audience and with Mr. Freedman proving to be an unusually inspirational speaker. He focused on "before" and "after" projects from several other communities as well as examples of both positive and negative concepts. He created in all of our minds a vision of what Lodi's downtown could be if we join efforts to make it a reality. In order for a downtown revitalization project to succeed, there must be community- w;de support. We strongly believe that downtown is the core of our community and what is beneficial for downtown is beneficial for the entire city of Lodi. The Lodi Downtown Business Association (LDBA) is anxious to proceed with a downtown revitalization project and will be supportive of the City's endeavors toward this goal We must proceed quickly because the businesses are enthused and ready to work with the City towards re -awakening our downtown. Ken Cantrell LDBA President NAME N K -c o t.k'A. '\ t 1 THE FOLLOWING CITIZENS AND MERCHANTS HAVE ENDORSED THE ATTACHED "DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION" PROGRAM BUSINESS ,Zeilys,%7, ys 8°0 Virus -FE # OF EMPS. qy 4- S)1 \<? 5- 3 - 3 Ali '/ ti7 ---_ �2.,'r,iz . (. _ U:� ,y''(k `-`- 1 L ,s.2d )14 bull--kk'f t & I(t( FRE(:O T SAE ijk CV hu. NoY e .Iv LMTING IMPPESSIONB de . 4-1 w,. t P 61/\l'OU Jr 7 H GIERHART-WELLS AND DCNAi-:LE FUNERAL HOME. INC. ( THE FOLLOWING CITIZENS AND MERCHANTS HOVE ENDORSED THE ATTACHED "DOWNTTOWN REVITALIZATION" PROGRAM HIMT NAME BUSANESS 4! OF EMPS. SIGNATURE -Pcif2:(24,4„ aea.j.i,b, tiegozri jrzt,,,,,' ,„ z,/ _6ew ter ej/(400-. ..*• o..,A...r "16?-zattStIcikaz.. ES Jill Wevaize r da."' U,u,tk 0,, y fl719iek9 1,4'fi 4 72. - fl -k .\'nCh nut.k.cr L 7/11Drt."1 s(? 7 filiAjerj N:=41•11.‘ 114 , c"), armers anzl MErchants link of Central California 2_15" kik JPit( CA itga; fin 44c J7 . fii 1- ht ( Woo iwo /Cie 4--Rdsi) 51/' OS a -77 21 - 1 7 -r\..91 14 )1" Ofitd6A. 5- DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE STATEMENT BY RAY HIRNING, PRESIDENT LODI DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LODI CITY COUNCIL - SEPTEMBER 1, 1993 Re: Downtown Revitalization Plan A healthy and strong Downtown Lodi is vital to all of Lodi. The Chamber commends the joint effort between the Lodi Downtown Business Association, the private sector and the City of Lodi, in conducting the recent DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION SYMPOSIUM. Our organization desires to be an active participant in the development and implementation of a Downtown Revitalization Plan. Our two Chamber Lodi Street Fair= held in May and October in downtown Lodi attract over 400 vendors and 25,000 people. This demonstrates how downtown can be marketed and promoted, with proper planning. Our organization enjoys a cooperative relationship with the LDBA, and desires to be an active participant in the development and implementation of a future Downtown Revitalization Plan. Our new Small Business Committee, in cooperation with the LBDA, City of Lodi. and San Joaquin Delta College Small Business Development Center is conducting a Workshop/Town Meeting and One -On -One Consultations on October 4 through 6th. Kent Burnes will be the leader and the title of the program will be COMPETING WITH NATIONAL DISCOUNTERS. This program will offer valuable techniques to not only downtown business firms, but firms throughout the city. The Chamber is pleased to learn that a similar revitalization symposium (which was so successful regarding downtown Lodi) is now in the planning stages for Cherokee Lane. A major 1993 objective for our Chamber has been the upgrading of Cherokee Lane. That's because Cherokee Lane creates 1.200 jobs, has 198 businesse5, and half a the City's wits tax and almost all of the motel tax! It's important for Lodi that the public and private sectors focus their efforts on improving not only DOWNTOWN LODI, but also CHEROKEE LANE. The Clamber will give high priority to completing this important task! 1330 S HAM LANE • PO BOX 385 • LODI CA 95211 • PHONE 209) 367-7840 • FAX (209) 334-0528 410 ACCREDIT D