1. EastMarketStreetCorridorStudyAndrew LesterKurt StolkaJane HillNick HarrellSteve Lebonville EdwardBeaverNovember 27 2012 27,

2. Target Area: East Market St RetailT tA E t M k t R t ilCorridor between Murrow and US 29 3. Historically,Historically East Market Street was the heartof East Greensboro, a vibrant commercialareaHeritage 4. Heritage Historical photos courtesy of generous assistance from the Greensboro Historical Museum archives 5. Mission/VisionMission/Vision* Mission: East Market Street DevelopmentCorporation (EMSDC) is the lead agent workingtoward revitalization of the East Market StreetCorridor. Vision: To create an economically vibrant vibrant,attractive, pedestrian-friendly, and safecommunity that attracts and sustains existing andnew b ibusinesses with continuing commitment tithti iit t tominority entrepreneurial development and theareas unique cultural center, through diversepartnerships and lthi d leveraged resources. d *Source: 2012 EMDC Literature 6. Mandates:Mandates:* The EMDC is a non-profit organization thatoffers comprehensive communityrevitalization services in the East MarketStreet Corridor to create and sustain assetsthrough economic, b ithh i business, and communityditdevelopment services and programs. Theoverall goal is to build community and restore gypride in the East Market Street Corridor andEast Greensboro. *Source: EMDC Source: 7. A littl b klittle backgroundd By the last half of the 20thcentury, original buildings werereplaced with stripbuildings, vehicle-focused.vehicle focused. Mixed zoning: Establishedchurches, small industrial andwarehousing, houses, A&T Wide setbacks. Streetscapeunderused. Excess surfacepparking. g Historically African-Americancommerce now shared by otherethnicities 8. Strengths and Weaknesses Quality streetscape Vacancy & abandonment = image of declineimprovements, verywalkable, t lk bl transit accessit Perceptions of safety Ideally situated, proximity to Lack of evident commitment & communication by stakeholdersdowntown, institutions, US220/29 Lack of a public gathering space (losing longtime Y!) EMDC success inneighborhood redevelopment Poor pedestrian scale, parking setbacks inhibit street activity 9. Opportunities Residential real estate market improvement Growing political awareness/support of E Greensboro potential Trend toward buying local Rising Downtown home prices (highest growth in city) Greenway expansion New residences coming to A&T and UHOP site Creative class/ millennial generation preference for Live, Work, Playoptions 10. Threats Y! relocating away from EMST A&T capital investment focused awayfrom EMST Continued recession and tight bankglending Government funding cuts OOnline competition for retail sales &e co pet t o o eta sa esservices competition elsewhere Malls, High Point Rd., Battleground,Downtown,Downtown Eugene St Cone BlvdSt., Blvd. 11. Threats 12. Strategic ChallengeHow do we promote retail & restaurantson EMST? 13. Strategy 1:Increase Pedestrian Traffic Tactic #1 Improve commercial mix, start with temporaryspaces T ti #2Tactic Move EMDC to highly visible, easilyaccessible,accessible inviting site on EMST Tactic #3 Improve pp public transit Tactic #4 Actively promote/ tie in to Greenway users 14. Commercial MiCi l Mix Temporary spaces, food trucks. Create a node for dining. Update/maintainU d t / i t i EMDC web site with clearly accessibleb it ith l liblcommercial vacancy information (size, rent, suitable use) Retail follows Rooftops. Use new housing (UHOP site) anddata from recent report to actively recruit anchor tenant (i e(i.e.chain drug store with grocery supplies and minute-clinicservices (potential site: Alston Plaza) 15. Dining as a Catalyst Local quality restaurants started revitalization inDowntown Greensboro * A signature restaurant or node of eateries can turnaround a commercial area, unlike a grocery store or g ya night club Outdoor dining puts eyes on the street Outdoor dining can b dO td di i be done simply i l 16. Increase Pedestrian Traffic Outdoor Dining: g Work with merchants to encourage outdoor diningoptions. Enhance social options. Create a pulsenodenode Create new roots: Canopy tents in underused parking lots forcommunity events or outdoor dining can encourageppedestrian traffic. Kiosks or temporary structures can be utilized forimpromptu food vending and farmers market spaces 17. Dining Fort DiningWorth, Texas, Pittsboroformer gasg NC, formerstation CarCDealershipPop up cafeSt.Paul, MN 18. Leverage Public Transit Promote EMST as a live, work, play location. Leverage itsconnectivity to public places GTCC & jobs via transit Attractive places,transit.features. Needs bus shelter and fewer stops to reduce ride time. Well-used transit puts eyes on the street. Enhances sense ofsafety Bus shelter can be part of a new public space Creative class, immigrants and aging populations appreciate transit.Access to downtown and Depot (bus and train hub). 19. StrategicChallengeHow Can EMST be a DestinationPlace? 20. Strategy 2: Encourage Place Making Use visioning workshops including all workshops, stakeholders: Tactic #1 Identify a sense of place/ public art that embraces the p pedestrian experiencep Tactic #2 Develop a community meeting space with easy pedestrian accessibility Tactic #3 Address neglect, signage and safety perception issues 21. Sense of Place/Community Space Use facilitated visioning workshops to buildcapacity,capacity empower neighbors engage stakeholders neighbors, stakeholders. Create unique sense of place. Establish a brand. Promotebrand consistently in/on all media LetL t residents/stakeholders d fi / id t / t k h ld define/create a community spacet it(garden, playground, chess tables, gazebo) that reflectsunique character and is highly visible. 22. Place making 101Create human-scale experiences. Ideas: Public Art - historical markers, murals, sculptures, mosaics, may build image, community interest or tourism Facades and signage - Promote revolving loan funds & access city programs to encourage facade upgrades, including new signage or awnings. Unique Architecture: Alternative building structures such as shipping containers or railroad cars make distinctive places. 23. Elements ofa greatpublic space1. Protection from traffic, crime,and the elements2. Place to walk, stop, stand &ssit3. Things to see4. Opportunities forconversations, to play, to enjoygood weather5. Human-scale6.6 Aesthetic quality 24. StrategicChallengeHow do we build strongercommunity? 25. Strategy #3Tactic #1:Strengthen communicationsTactic #2:Hold events, utilize social mediaTactic #3:Market EMST to immigrants 26. Building Capacity Leverage momentum of EMDCs success in housingredevelopment t t to stimulate individual i tdl t to try t ti l t i di id l interest i t inadvocacy. Use small events, mural painting, clean up orwalking tours to bring people together in an activity. Enhance partnerships with i tit tiE hthiith institutions, neighborsi hb Move EMDC office to make it accessible, visible and a coreof energy. Create a civic space 27. Hold Events Use Social Media Events, Engage neighborhood groups and merchants toplan and participate in small events. Use localmedia and social media to promote sales & events. Create current, authoritative & inviting web sitepresence 28. Community BuildingMarket EMST to the new North Carolinians: Affordable housing, sidewalks, proximity to schools, transit and downtown, numerous vacant business lots Work with realtors and commercial lenders. Strengthen workshops for new businesses Visioning workshops for all stakeholders Work with City to explore zoning changes, better sign code enforcement, shared parking t reduce i dft h dki to d unused pavement surfaces 29. Expanding Resource Pool New trend in academia: Sustainability and community engagement Leverage university resources for communitybenefit Business & marketing students for business support Sociology & political science students for surveys Architecture design students for corridor imaging 30. Make Friends, Grow Ad M k Fi d G AdvocatestCollege students staff and faculty school teachers electedstudents, faculty,teachers,officials, city staff, public safety officers, neighborhoodassociationmembers, oldsters, tb ld tteens, youngsters, bi t bicyclists, walkers, bli t lkus riders, chess players, church goers, church staff, churchleaders, homemakers, merchants, property owners, home p p yowners, gardeners, contractors, renters, nurses, investors,entrepreneurs, realtors,nonprofitgroups, immigrants, volunteers, artists, newcomers,groups immigrants volunteers artists newcomers long-timers, musicians, historians. Who else? Advocates may come from anywhere. 31. Handout and Questions? 32. Have a H tHHeartProject for Public Spaces www.pps.org 33. Create PedCred