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<br />SUMMARY OF RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES <br />EDA STRATEGIC PLAN 26 <br />11. DOWNTOWN QUALITY OF LIFE <br />Development and development planning for downtown Elk River was discussed above. <br />This section recognizes the importance of the multiple strategies associated with activating <br />and enlivening downtown. That encompasses strategies such as marketing, branding and <br />communications, facade improvements and streetscaping, and event programming. The <br />property owners and businesses in a storefront business district often provides leadership <br />for these kinds of activity, and research shows that the organizational energy and capacity <br />of that business group makes a pivotal difference in how effectively the district is branded <br />and activated. <br />Programs of this kind can be affiliated with <br />an umbrella organization and structure, <br />such as the National Main Streets <br />program. Or they can be independent, <br />drawing ideas from any number of <br />examples, and from their own inspiration. <br />Downtown Elk River has done very well. <br />With support from the City and local <br />businesses it has remained attractive, has <br />built a beautiful public space at its heart <br />that connects to the river, and hosts <br />numerous festivals and events. <br />In our focus group and other conversations <br />we learned that the businesses vary in <br />terms of the sufficiency of their customer <br />support, and some of the older buildings <br />are due for significant rehabilitation if they <br />are to continue to be viable into the future. <br />We recommend consideration of creating a <br />downtown special service district. <br />Downtown Elk River is certainly significant <br />enough to warrant one. From the City <br />perspective that would add an organized <br />partner and downtown advocate that is focused entirely on downtown Elk River. From the <br />perspective of the business community, it is a form of self-organizing that gives the <br />business community a clear voice and greater ability to weigh in on the investments and <br />activities they feel are most beneficial to downtown. It also ensures that the contributions <br />of the business community to district enhancements, marketing and events are shared <br />more equally. The levy level can be proposed by the business community itself at a level <br />that will result in majority support for the levy. <br />Strategies/Actions <br />11a. Continue downtown Elk River’s successful marketing and events