conducting an inventory of your downtown
TRANSCRIPT
Conducting an Inventory of Your Downtown
Melissa Kono,Community Development EducatorUniversity of Wisconsin-Extension
Population: 2,500 2015 WEDC Connect Communities Recipient Historic homes and downtown
Neillsville, Wisconsin
Historic Neillsville Walking Tour Map Historical Preservation (limited) Zoning
Available Information
Downtown Organizations Chamber of Commerce Historical Preservation Realtors Planning and Zoning Departments Others? Who do you work with?
Partners
Zoning Department, City Map is helpful Meet with partner organizations, find out
what is available and what is needed Grab a camera and take a walk Develop method that works for you to
organize buildings and pics
Conducting an Inventory
Downtown Neillsville
Downtown Neillsville
Surveys Zoning Information Realtors Spreadsheet form
Data Collection
Vacant Rental Property
Properties Available for Rent Inventory
Database Searchable Public Cross-posted (Chamber, City, Realtors,
Economic Development)
Properties Available for Rent Inventory—Phase 2
Sunny day vs. overcast day Time of year, timing around festivals Traffic
Tips & Tricks
Sunny vs. overcast
Cloudy Sunny
Sunny vs. Overcast
Cloudy Sunny
Interior pics for available properties and historical preservation
Privacy concerns Updating information
Other items to consider
Comprehensive inventory of buildings and businesses developed as a foundation for tracking trends in the downtown economy.
Survey Data-heavy and requires trust with business owners Supports the goals of the Missoula Economic
Partnership of: strengthen growth of existing businesses by complementing business mix and attract new businesses to diversify the local economic base.
Case Study: Downtown Missoula
Identify Downtown assets and weaknesses; identify potential locations for technical assistance; measure community achievements of recruitment and
retention goals; support Master Plan projects such as Front and Main
reconfiguration, development of a Retail Hot Spot and Cultural District, development of a comprehensive wayfinding system
for Downtown; market, retain, recruit, and track development trends
within the downtown commercial area.
Inventory used to:
A day dedicated to learning more about local businesses through face-to-face interviews
Understand issues facing the business community and build relationships with decision makers and local business owners
Survey and interviews
Business Walk: Business Retention and Expansion
For more information regarding “Business Walk” please contact:
Todd Johnson Land Use and Community Development
Specialist University of Wisconsin River Falls
(Extension) [email protected]
715-425-3941
Business Walk
Missoula Downtown Association, “Missoula Downtown Building and Business Inventory.” 2012
Johnson, Todd. “Business Walk: Business Retention & Expansion.” January 19, 2016.
References
Melissa Kono Community, Natural Resources and
Economic Development Agent University of Wisconsin-Extension Clark
County [email protected]
715-743-5121
Questions and Comments