battle creek downtown partnership annual … report 2006.pdfrecommendations, measurable objectives,...

2 BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006

36 E. MichiganBattle Creek

DowntownSince 1981

phone: 269.966.9037web: www.aplusd.biz

feasibility studiescontemporary design

rehabilitationhistoric preservation

Architecture+

designJoin the largest

business organizationin Calhoun County!

77 East Michigan AvenueSuite 80Battle Creek, MI 49017269.962.4076

www.battlecreek.org

BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006 3

Another successful year has passed. Each year we get closer and closer

to making the community vision for downtown Battle Creek a reality.

As we enter year four, we continue to accomplish the objectives set forth in

the Downtown Blueprint.

The following pages highlight downtown accomplishments

and plans for the future. Through the combined efforts of the

Downtown Partnership and its many partners we are

accomplishing so much, which in turn is attracting people

downtown.

That’s our mission…that’s your vision…to establish downtown

as a vibrant, livable urban center. Come downtown and see

the vision unfold.

Kathleen Eriksen, Downtown Development DirectorBattle Creek Downtown Partnership

Downtown PartnershipBoard and Staff

Thomas C. Harris - CHAIRCo-Owner, General Manager

& Vice PresidentHeritage Chevrolet, Inc.

Michael BuckleyDirector of Planning & Community

DevelopmentCity of Battle Creek

Dwight ButtExecutive DirectorGreater Battle Creek/Calhoun CountyVisitor & Convention Bureau

John GodfreyOwner, Godfrey JewelersMayor, City of Battle Creek

Kathy GrossoExecutive DirectorBattle Creek Area Catholic Schools

James HettingerPresident & CEOBattle Creek Unlimited, Inc.

Tim KnowltonVP Corporate Social ResponsibilityKellogg Company

Nancy MacfarlaneChief Executive OfficerCommunity Action Agency of

South Central Michigan

James McHaleAssistant Vice PresidentW.K. Kellogg Foundation

Kathleen MechemPresident & CEOBattle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce

Kevin ScheiblerGeneral ManagerThe Rink/Kellogg Arena

William J. SchroerPrincipalW.J. Schroer Company

Robert SharkeyChair, Downtown Development AuthorityAttorney, VanderVoort, Christ, Fisher, P.C.

Tim SupriseOwnerArcadia Brewing Company & TC’s

Allison TribulMarketing ManagerKellogg’s Cereal City USA

Wayne WileyCity ManagerCity of Battle Creek

STAFFKathleen EriksenDowntown Development Director

Karen KnackDowntown Projects Manager

MISSIONThe mission of the Downtown Partnershipis to establish downtown as a vibrant,livable urban center.

CONTACT INFORMATIONBattle Creek Downtown Partnership115 West Michigan AvenueBattle Creek, MI 49017269.968.1622 - Phone269.441.2274 - [email protected]@bcunlimited.org

What is the Downtown Blueprint?

The Downtown Blueprint is a 5-year action plan with specific

recommendations, measurable objectives, and a clearly-defined

vision for the downtown.

The Downtown Blueprint involved over 200 public surveys, a sales

market analysis, an extensive downtown property and business inventory,

demographic information, previous studies, and over 50 interviews and focus

groups including the Community Vision Session attended by over 350 persons.

The plan has ignited people’s consciousness and creativity about what

downtown should be. Visit bcunlimited.org for a downloadable copy of

the Downtown Blueprint.

from vision to RealityM E S S A G E F R O M T H E D I R E C T O R

from vision to


IMPROVEmentsPublic/PrivatePublic/Private

StreetscapeEnhancements

A Streetscape Enhancement

plan was created for

Michigan Avenue with a goal in

mind of creating a cozy, warm,

pedestrian friendly environment

desired by the community. Eight

new park benches and 17 new

trash receptacles were installed.

A sign ordinance allowing for

perpendicular signage while

addressing the size and location

of sandwich boards was also

approved. Festival Market Square

renovations began with the

removal of diseased trees and

partial removal of wall that once

enclosed the area.

Beautification, Landscaping& Maintenance

Downtown’s public spaces should be impeccably maintained.Downtowns in general, tend to have maintenance needs thatdiffer from the needs of other areas. We need to set the

example for the private sector. Therefore, we have enlisted theexpertise and guidance of the Leila Arboretum Society. Together withthe City’s Department of Public Works, we raise the bar in the areaof beautification.

This year, 110 flowering horse trough planters were installed on therailings of four bridges downtown. Sixty-six City planters, 60 mer-chant flower pots, and roughly 30 parking meridians were adornedwith a combination of 5700 annuals, 250 ornamental grasses and 350perennials. An additional 1000 annuals were planted in various parkareas and meridians. That comes out to over 7000 plants! This doesnot include the extensive plantings provided by the W.K. KelloggFoundation in the Community Garden and Mill Race Park. Thedowntown has definitely bloomed into a lovely setting.


Goal: Enhance downtown’s overall physical appearance

through its buildings, streetscape, level of cleanliness,

sidewalks, landscaping, parking lots, alleys and roadways

resulting in perceptions of safety and accessibility.

Wayfinding/Signage Program

A crop of colorful signs were installed directing people from offthe highways and byways to and around downtown Battle Creek.The signs welcome visitors to the city and point drivers and

pedestrians to major public destinations.The sign system includes: 65 vehicular guide signs; 12 pedestrian guide

signs and map kiosks; and 32 building, historic informational parking, andtrail identifier signs.

As the new signs were installed, many of the existing frames wererefinished with signage panels replaced. The messaging has beencombined in many instances, reducing the overall number of signs toalleviate “sign clutter.”

Beyond directing people downtown and helping people find theirway, the signs promote downtown Battle Creek as an entertainmentdestination while communicating the city’s history of health and fitnessthrough historical information posted on all of the parking lot signs. Thesigns encourage people to come downtown for health, fitness andactivity while freshening the overall appearance of downtown.

The wayfinding signage at the pedestrian level assures visitorsthat there are worthwhile places to visit within walking distance, andencourages them to walk further. Significant points of interests, businesslocations, historic information, public art and a self-guided walking tourare highlighted. Our goal here is to create public signs that are uniformand distinctive in design while incorporating a new look and message forthe downtown.

Façade Improvement and Design Assistance

The Facade Improvement Program offers financial assistance through an interest free, “deferred” loan,forgivable over a five-year period. A dollar for dollar match is required with a $10,000 maximum payout for

renovations and $15,000 for restoration. Design assistance is also available in the amount of $500 which in mostcases covers the cost of conceptual designs and estimates for build-out. Two façade grants were awarded thispast year totaling $20,000, matching a private investment of $60,000. This past year’s program averaged a 3 to 1investment of private vs. public investment.

58 West Michigan Avenue, Gary Fields Comedy Theatre. Grant Amount: $10,000. Owner Investment: $45,000.

Two West Michigan Avenue, AG Edwards/WJ Schroer. Grant Amount: $10,000. OwnerInvestment: $15,000.

BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006 76 BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006

Events

9 Griffin Grill & Pub38 W. Michigan Ave.269.965.7206

10 JW Barleycorn’s50 Capital Ave., SW269.963.7050

11 Kellogg’s Cereal City USARed Onion Grill171 W. Michigan Ave.269.962.6230

12 Laura’s Gourmet Catering200 W. Michigan Ave.269.966.3750

13 Old Tyme Bakery80 W. Michigan Ave.269.965.0089

14 Par 4 Lounge & Catering97 W. Michigan Ave.269.660.9960

15 Porter’s Steakhouse50 Capital Ave., SW269.963.7050

16 Schlotzsky’s Deli14 W. Michigan Ave.269.963.2526

Restaurants1 17 West

17 W. Michigan Ave.269.565.1717

2 Arcadia BrewingCompany & TC’s103 W. Michigan Ave.269.963.9690

3 Barista Blues Café56 W. Michigan Ave.269.968.8430

4 BC Sound Café28 W. Michigan Ave.269.441.1505

5 BiCi Bistro34 W. Michigan Ave.269.565.3399

6 Brownstone Café18 1/2 W. Michigan Ave.269.964.2233

7 Clara’s on the River34 N. McCamly St.269.963.0966

8 Gary Fields ComedyClub Theatre51 W. Michigan Ave.269.965.4646

17 Shrank’s Cafeteria& Catering85 W. Michigan Ave.269.964.7755

18 Sports Page225 W. Michigan Ave.269.969.2415

19 Subway36 W. Michigan Ave.269.962.1481

20 Yellow Submarine85 W. Michigan Ave.269.441.SUBS

21 Located inMcCamly Place35 W. Jackson St.StarbucksCasa SalonaPizza Hut Express

Marketing + PromotionsGoal: To market existing businesses, events, available spaces and business opportunities, and to promote a vibrant image of downtown.

CO-OPerating topromote downtownWe continue to promote our new marketing campaign - “Live it Up”

offering cool new graphics at an equally cool savings to downtownbusiness owners through our co-op advertisingprograms. We will continue to encourage thedowntown business owners to advertise with aconsistent message and look, by offering a 61%discount off billboard ads, and $100 off any othermedium – if the “Live it Up” logo isincluded. Our co-op BillboardCampaign was wildly successfullast year, with 10 boards located onthe major highways – promotingthe brand and guiding people to theDowntown exit – 98B.

Communications:first & foremost

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS, EVENT CALENDARS,

electronic updates and misc. promotional

materials assist us in getting the word out about

construction, programs and events. We also

hosted our first quarterly “Merchants’ Meeting”

with over 60 downtown businesses represented.

GaloreGaloreDowntown staff has been hard at work planning for new events

taking place in various downtown parks.

The Festival Market Music Series features local entertainment and isplanned for the lunch hour, every Wednesday in July and August, atFestival Market Square. The entertainment is intended to complementthe Farmers’ Market — open during the series.

Vibe@5, is an evening concert series scheduled at — yup, youguessed it — 5 p.m. at Friendship Park. The three hour concert runsFriday evenings in July and August, starting July 7. We’ve lined up avariety of World and Americana style musicians from Celtic world beat toWest African drumming.

And of course, Battle Creek’s oldie but goodie…the Post BandConcert Series celebrated its 83rd season. This is the second year theDowntown Partnership has coordinated this Battle Creek tradition. Allconcerts are held at Mill Race Park on Thursday evenings in June andJuly.

For more information refer to the “event listing” on the facing page.

Take I-94 to exit 98B toenjoy downtown dining.


The Cancer Care Center at Battle Creek HealthSystem is recognized by the Commission onCancer of the American College of Surgeons asone of the strongest oncology programs inMichigan. In fact, the Cancer Care Center is oneof only 39 hospitals in the United States to receivethe CoC’s 2005 Outstanding Achievement Award.

• Exceptional physicians• Talented and caring staff• World-class technology• A leader in clinical trials

You don’t have to travel elsewhere to receive world-classcancer care. It is available right here, close to home.

Randy Mudge, M.D.Director of Radiation Oncology

Barbara McGrath, M.D.Medical Oncology

Stephen Smiley, M.D.Director of Medical Oncology

www.bchealth.com

Goal: To implement an aggressive housingdevelopment effort.

Residential

Phase I Construction Begins

The Downtown Partnership completed the renovation of its new office spacelocated at 115 W. Michigan Avenue utilizing grant dollars from the Cool Cityprogram. Sales for two of the three remaining units have been finalized.

Only one residential unit remains available at that address. National City Bank haspurchased one residential unit, to be used as a model and Conway PhotographyStudio purchased the remaining retail space. Six additional sales have been made inthe Carlyle Building located at 15 Carlyle Street. Act now, only a limited number ofunits remain!

DevelopmentDevelopment


Goal: Recruit key businesses and venues

that respond to the downtown market needs,

including those of residents, employees,

businesses and tourists as identified in the

market analysis of the Downtown Blueprint.

RetailRetention & RecruitmentRetention & RecruitmentThe following businesses have relocated to another location within the downtown:

AG Edwards moved from 77 E. Michigan Avenue to 2 W. Michigan Avenue.Comerica Bank moved from 25 W. Michigan Avenue to 49 W. Michigan Avenue.The Downtown Partnership moved from 77 E. Michigan to 115 W. Michigan Avenue.

The following businesses closed their downtown location:

Taylor Jay Chocolates – 25 W. Michigan AvenueGood Books / Warm Quilts – 58 E. Michigan Avenue

Business Activity Brings New Jobs

The following new businesses opened their doors last fiscal year resulting

in 49 jobs - 42 part-time and seven full-time positions:

BC Christian Book Store, 58 E. Michigan Avenue

BC Sound, 28 W. Michigan Avenue

Gary Fields Comedy Theatre, 51 W. Michigan Avenue

Diamond Multimedia, 77 E. Michigan Avenue

Old Tyme Bakery, 80 W. Michigan Avenue

BC Sound Café, 28 W. Michigan Avenue

The Venue, 28 W. Michigan Avenue


Your Abilities. Our Facilities. When your abilities arepaired with our programsand instructors, thepossibilities for successbecome unlimited. Juststep through the doors ofthe Kendall Center,Western MichiganUniversity’s Battle CreekCampus, and you’llunderstand why.

At Western MichiganUniversity, we offerdiverse undergraduate,graduate, and certificateprograms and easyregistration; evenconvenient parking.Combine all that with areputation for academicexcellence and a namethat’s recognizednationwide, and thechoice becomes easy.

Call now for details.

50 West Jackson StreetBattle Creek, MI 49017269.965.5380www.bc.wmich.edu

Your Conference. Our Table…

And chairs…and computer labs…and video-conferencingcapabilities…even new gourmet menu options prepared byselected caterers. You get the picture. The Kendall Center offersyou a conference facility that not only allows you to present yourinformation effectively, but will actually aid and enhance thelearning experience.

With 18 meeting rooms and offices, the ability to accommodateup to 100 people, and catering choices that range from traditionalto up-scale gourmet food, reserving your conference space at theKendall Center should be the first task on your agenda. Let ushelp make your next conference a success.

Call today for details.

50 West Jackson StreetBattle Creek, MI 49017269.964.3001www.bc.wmich.edu/confBATTLE CREEK CAMPUS BATTLE CREEK CAMPUS

Leadership begins with one person’s vision.What is yours?

I will help people help themselves.W. K . K E L L O G G

Special Focus on Northeast quadrant

The Downtown Partnership engaged JJR to assist in exploringcollaborative approaches that could meet the needs of

the larger downtown and adjacent neighborhoods, as well asSt. Philip’s school and parish. Both physical planning andprogramming opportunities were addressed.

We have a “Knack” forDowntown Development

Karen Knack was recently hired into the Downtown Partnershipas the new Downtown Projects Manager. She assists with

marketing Downtown Battle Creek, including the planning andproduction of various downtown musical events. Knack bringstwelve years of experience in graphic design, marketing and projectmanagement to the organization. A native of Battle Creek, Knack hasserved the local business community as Principal of Karen KnackDesign for the past nine years.

Strong Partnerships Result in Success

The following departments of the City of BattleCreek offer endless support to downtown: Traffic

& Engineering, Public Works, Police, Parks & Recre-ation, and the City Commission. Other groupscontributing to the success of downtown are theHistoric District Commission, Leila ArboretumSociety, Battle Creek Community Foundation, W.K.Kellogg Foundation, State of Michigan, all of thedowntown businesses and our entire board and allthe entities they represent. Outside of special grants,endowments, and sponsorships operational fundingfor downtown development is provided by BattleCreek Unlimited and the Downtown DevelopmentAuthority. A great big thank you to all of you!

Working togetherGoal: Create strong working relationships with groups and stakeholders that havesimilar goals. Build consensus and work cooperatively.

Battle Creek DowntownDevelopment Authority


Residential DevelopmentGoal: Implement an aggressive housing development effort.Measurable Objectives

Riverfront Condominiums:• Complete construction of Phase I, 115 West Michigan to

include: one residential unit, one model unit and two retailstorefronts.

• 18 signed sales agreements for Riverfront Condominiums.• Signed development agreement with developers.• Begin Phase II, public infrastructure.Rental Rehab Program:• Three rental rehab applications approved with construction

of apartments completed.

Private & Public Improvement ActionsGoal: Enhance downtown’s overall physical appearance throughits buildings, streetscape, level of cleanliness, sidewalks,landscaping, parking lots, alleys and roadways resulting inperceptions of safety and accessibility.Measurable Objectives

• Complete streetscape enhancements for Michigan Avenue,per JJR specifications.

• Complete specifications / design plans for State Street/Riverfront enhancements (JJR).

• Two façade renovations/restorations.• Complete wayfinding/signage system.• Complete designs for Festival Market Square renovations,

per Project for Public Spaces specifications.• Continue “Building Illumination” program, as part of the

Festival of Lights.• Continue to oversee downtown landscaping/maintenance

management per landscaping management planspecifications.

• Restore “cyclist” sculpture and reinstall.• Restore “horse” sculpture.

Marketing/PromotionsGoal: To market existing businesses, events, available space andbusiness opportunities, and to promote an enhanced vibrantimage of downtown.Measurable Objectives

• Create downtown website.• Continue to offer co-op advertising campaign (radio/tv/print/

billboard).• Continue to produce and distribute quarterly newsletter /

monthly email updates / cross-promotional materials.• Coordinate the following events:

• Post Band Concert Series• Spring into the Arts, Fall into the Arts• Festival Market Music Series• Vibe@5

• Host “quarterly” downtown meetings.• Initiate bi-weekly press release schedule.• Create downtown brochure (business/walking guide).• Successfully co-program/co-manage Festival Market Square.• Successfully co-program/co-manage Mill Race Park.• Successfully co-program/co-manage Friendship Park.

Retail Retention/RecruitmentGoal: Recruit key businesses and venues that respond to theDowntown market needs including those of residents, employ-ees, businesses and tourists as identified in the market analysisof the Downtown Blueprint.Measurable Objectives

• Decrease vacancy rate by 20%.• Two new outdoor café venues on Michigan Avenue.• Add eight new farmers and five additional (start-up) vendors

to Festival Market.

Resource Development/FinancingGoal: Strengthen organization: financing, staff structure anddevelopment.Measurable Objectives

• Relocate Downtown Partnership office to 115 West MichiganAvenue.

• Submittal and approval of MDOT funds for State StreetRiverscape Improvements.

• Submittal and approval of downtown financing through theDowntown Development Authority and the City of BattleCreek.

• Submittal and approval of Brownfield Redevelopment fundsfor Riverfront Condominium project.

• Facilitate working committees/volunteers: Property &Physical Improvement, Retail Retention & Recruitment,Marketing & Promotions, and Residential Development.

• Explore the creation of a Business Improvement District.

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