Revive & Thrive: Key Takeaways, Action Steps, and Future Directions

Event Summary

Date: June 10, 2024

Location: Crank Arm Brewing Company

Host: Adam Eckhardt & Crank Arm Brewing Company

Moderator: Jacob Molz, Local Business Leader & Entrepreneur

Panelists:

• Heather McDougall , PhD, Strategy & Innovation Director, Office of Strategy & Innovation, City of Raleigh Municipal Government
• Dr. Jane Harrison , City of Raleigh Municipal Government Council Member, District D
• Pam Blondin , Owner of DECO Raleigh and Downtown Raleigh Resident
• Bill King , President & CEO of Downtown Raleigh Alliance
• Matt Coleman, Owner of The Davie and Downtown Raleigh Resident

Purpose: The "Revive & Thrive" event aimed to foster a community-driven effort to enhance the connectivity and resilience of Downtown Raleigh, focusing on actionable solutions rather than dwelling on challenges.

Key Discussion Points

1. Co-creation and Collaboration:

• Heather McDougall emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts and diverse perspectives to address downtown challenges effectively. She highlighted the need for bold thinking and collaboration in creating solutions through her office’s initiatives. Keep an eye out for the new round of Impact Partner Grants opening in the fall.

2. Investment in Public Spaces and Affordable Housing:

• Pam Blondin discussed the need for increased investments in public spaces to enhance downtown vibrancy.
• The importance of affordable housing was highlighted, with suggestions for alternative financing models to support young professionals and working families.

3. Safety Measures:

• Dr. Jane Harrison reported a 22% drop in major crimes and discussed initiatives like the alternative Crisis Response Unit to address mental health and homelessness.

4. Encouraging Innovation and Risk-Taking:

• Bill King and Pam Blondin advocated for taking calculated risks and being innovative to drive growth. They mentioned the success of initiatives like food truck zones and Sip and Stroll districts.

5. Supporting Small Businesses:

• Support and resources for small businesses were discussed, including business improvement grants and subsidized rents for minority women-owned businesses.
• Pam Blondin emphasized creative solutions to support local entrepreneurs.

6. Enhancing Transportation and Accessibility:

• Dr. Jane Harrison highlighted the need for better transportation connections to encourage visits to downtown. Proposals included eliminating parking minimums, adding bike racks, and enhancing public transit.

7. Leveraging Local Assets and Creativity:

• The need to leverage local creativity and resources to drive downtown innovation was discussed.
• Ideas for events and attractions to draw more visitors, such as family-friendly spaces and public art installations, were proposed.

8. Community Involvement:

• Matt Coleman stressed the importance of community-driven change and public participation in strategic planning. Suggestions for community events like block parties and scavenger hunts to promote engagement were discussed.

Immediate Actions

1. Install Bike Racks:

• Reach: High - Encourages more residents and visitors to bike downtown.
• Impact: High - Increases accessibility and reduces parking demand.
• Confidence: High - Proven strategy in other cities.
• Effort: Low - Relatively easy and inexpensive to implement.
• Action: Partner with local businesses to install bike racks in key areas.
• Status: Already in progress - Research needed to determine additional needs.

2. Create Music Residencies:

• Reach: Medium - Attracts music lovers and enhances cultural scene.
• Impact: High - Boosts downtown vibrancy and supports local artists.
• Confidence: Medium - Requires coordination with artists and venues.
• Effort: Medium - Needs funding and organizational support.
• Action: Develop a pilot program for musician residencies in collaboration with local venues and artists.
• Status: Under consideration - Potential partnership with Raleigh’s Arts Commission and Office of Strategy & Innovation’s Innovator in Residence programs—possible MIR.

3. Improve Wayfinding and Marketing:

• Reach: High - Helps visitors navigate and discover downtown attractions.
• Impact: Medium - Enhances visitor experience and supports local businesses.
• Confidence: High - Effective in other urban areas.
• Effort: Medium - Requires design and installation of signage.
• Action: Install wayfinding kiosks and launch a marketing campaign to highlight downtown attractions.
• Status: Partially underway - 15 digital wayfinding kiosks installed; additional funding approved for more signage.

4. Support for Small Businesses:

• Reach: High - Directly benefits local entrepreneurs.
• Impact: High - Strengthens the local economy.
• Confidence: High - Proven to be effective.
• Effort: Medium - Requires funding and administration.
• Action: Implement business improvement grants and subsidized rents for minority women-owned businesses.
• Status: Already in place - Expand existing Building Upfit Grants, Façade Rehabilitation Grants, and Pop-up Shops programs.

5. Enhance Public Safety:

• Reach: High - Benefits all downtown visitors and residents.
• Impact: High - Increases foot traffic and business activity.
• Confidence: High - Significant improvement in safety reported.
• Effort: Medium - Ongoing investment in safety measures.
• Action: Continue investing in safety programs and expand the alternative Crisis Response Unit.
• Status: Ongoing - Continued support and expansion of safety initiatives.

6. Develop Affordable Housing:

• Reach: High - Addresses critical need for residents.
• Impact: High - Supports diverse population and workforce.
• Confidence: Medium - Requires coordination with developers.
• Effort: High - Complex and resource-intensive.
• Action: Explore alternative financing models and incentives for affordable housing projects.
• Status: In progress - City hosting Affordable Housing Summit in August.

7. Host Community Events:

• Reach: High - Engages a broad segment of the community.
• Impact: Medium - Promotes community cohesion and downtown activity.
• Confidence: High - Proven to attract visitors.
• Effort: Medium - Requires planning and sponsorship.
• Action: Organize block parties, music residencies, and family-friendly events.
• Status: New initiative - Focus on grassroots and additive community events.

8. Enhance Public Spaces:

• Reach: High - Widely benefits residents and visitors.
• Impact: High - Makes downtown more attractive and livable.
• Confidence: High - Effective in other cities.
• Effort: Medium - Needs funding and planning.
• Action: Invest in public spaces with seating, green areas, and public art.
• Status: Ongoing - Initial funding for public art and other enhancements approved.

Additional Insights from Slido Engagement

Engaged Participants:

• 13 out of 39 participants engaged with polls or Q&A.
• Participants asking in Q&A: 11
• Participants voting in Q&A: 9

Q&A Insights:

• 19 total questions.
• 16% anonymous rate.
• 8 named authors.
• Q&A word cloud highlights frequent terms such as "downtown," "Raleigh," "community," "parking," and "spaces."

Question Sentiment:

• 0% positive.
• 84% neutral.
• 16% negative.

Notable Questions:

• Ben Sullivan raised concerns about smaller retail spaces and high rents blocking innovative entrepreneurs.
• An anonymous question highlighted numerous vacancies in key downtown areas, questioning what can be done.
• Chip Kennedy asked about strategies to engage neighbors who are reluctant to invest time and resources in promoting downtown Raleigh.
• Paul Janos inquired about eliminating parking minimums to encourage walking and transit.
• Momma Kai asked about creating more family-friendly spaces and community gardens.
• Additional questions focused on transportation, worker support, and safety improvements.

Next Steps and Follow-up Actions

1. Join Existing Task Forces:

• Action: Participate in the task force implementing Downtown Economic Development Strategy Recommendations.
• Follow-up: Join the advisory group guiding the recommendations from consultants.

2. Support Existing Strategic Plans:

• Action: Align with the strategic plan being developed by Heather McDougall’s department.
• Follow-up: Connect Monday night’s conversation to the strategic efforts already underway.

3. Enhance Reporting and Communication:

• Action: Utilize existing quarterly and annual reports from DRA to measure and report progress.
• Follow-up: Provide feedback on potential additions to these reports.

4. Continue Community Engagement:

• Action: Maintain open lines of communication with residents and businesses through newsletters, social media, and public forums.
• Follow-up: Encourage ongoing participation and input to ensure the revitalization efforts meet the community's needs.

5. Organize Thematic Community Conversations:

• Action: Host more events like Monday’s with specific topics, such as housing affordability, small business support, and public space innovation.
• Follow-up: Drill down on specific areas to host conversations and push for actionable outcomes.

6. Leverage City Events:

• Action: Utilize city events like the Affordable Housing Summit for informal community conversations.
• Follow-up: Engage the community in discussions during these events to gather more insights and support.

By focusing on these immediate actions and ensuring continuous follow-up, we can work together to revitalize Downtown Raleigh, making it a vibrant, safe, and inclusive place for everyone. Thank you for your participation and commitment to our community’s future.

Footnotes

• Already in progress: Some actions are currently underway or will be addressed by upcoming DRA recommendations.
• Under consideration: Potential actions being explored for implementation.
• Ongoing: Continuous efforts that require sustained support and expansion.