HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-26-2021
Members - Present Members - Absent Staff - Present
Laura Oswald
Jeff Canter
Jennifer Frazier
Craig Beavers
Lucas Bremer
JT Crawford
Josh Linville
Katie Axt – Main Street Director
Melanie Reason – Staff
Minutes from June 28, 2021: approved.
Director Report Out:
Monthly Reinvestment Stats: The goal set by the commission of 10 new businesses for
Downtown has been met. We will continue to work toward the other goals set forth by the
commission:
o Design and construction of City Block,
o Full Tax Increment Financing (TIF) implementation
o Development and implementation of Entertainment Destination Center
o Net gain of 10 business downtown annually
o Celebrate business openings and highlight downtown businesses
o Obtain and maintain full Main Street Accreditation
o Survey downtown merchants and businesses to determine additional ways to help
o Continue to promote the downtown opportunity zone
City Block Update: Design committee will be reviewing the latest design.
Entertainment Destination Center: Bars and restaurants have cups. The ceremonial ribbon
cutting and first Downtown Happy Hour are scheduled for Friday August 6th.
Downtown Business Survey: 16 responses so far, which is approximately 10% response rate
(that’s average). Staff is mobilizing merchants to get a better response rate.
Budget Report Out: See attached. Disbursements totaled $7386.94, leaving $796.33. The new
fiscal year is underway. The board will conduct a budget workshop to better understand
programs and allocation of funds for the next year.
New Board Members: Discussions surrounding new appointees continued. Final candidates
nominated were a representative from Andre Meadows from Innovation Hub, Dixie Lynn from
WKMS, and Bradley James, formally of Partake in Paducah. Additional discussion surrounded
appointing more members to Economic Vitality. Amber Barnett from Piper’s was recommended
for that.
Committee Report Outs:
Board of Directors
July 26, 2021
3:00 p.m.
Meeting
Minutes
Organization: Main Street Mile markers are in construction and the final design is in review with
the CVB. Expected to be completed by the end of August.
Promotions: Downtown Happy Hour promotions are ready to go when the EDC officially opens.
The committee will be working with retailers to activate their sidewalks for the event. The
committee is working on a welcome program; an anniversary recognition program. Outdoor
Dining at Market House Square is up and running with new tables and extended lighting. The
next step will be to install similar lighting on Water Street. Rack cards are finished and ready for
delivery across Western Kentucky. The committee is working with the PHA and CVB on a QR
code program to place codes in hotels and riverboats that will link tourists with Downtown.
Design: The committee wants to pilot an idea called Parking Day, which allows for temporary
parklets along Broadway for a single day. The participating merchants will be provided cattle
barricades to mark of a space which they can activate however they like. More discussion at the
August meeting.
Economic Vitality: The committee would like to return focus to property listings on the Main
Street website.
Meeting Adjourned at 4:15 pm. Next meeting will be 08/23/21 at 3:00 pm.