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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
4 BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006
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.
BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006 5
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.
8 BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006
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
BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006 9
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
10 BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006
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
BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006 11
12 BATTLE CREEK DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT: 2005-2006
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.