Downtown Akron Partnership

Clean, safe & welcoming:dap provides cleaning and safety ambassadors through our $446,162.00 contract with block by block. Dap's clean & safe ambassadors enhance the Downtown quality of life with foot and bike patrols throughout the 42-block district and adjacent business member properties. Ambassadors patrol the neighborhood to remove trash, graffiti and safety hazards, report environmental issues and provide hospitality assistance including jump starts, lock outs, and fuel emergency support. The team power washes sidewalks, maintains ash urns, pulls weeds and checks in with local business owners. Ambassadors also clean and disinfect high touch areas as needed. Ambassador starting wage compensation was increased to support living wage for team members. Dap funds an apd nighttime shift supervisor thursday-saturday in Downtown to coordinate police presence at nightlife venues, communicate concerns to dap staff, and provide dedicated service to the district. The total for contracted officers was $37,832.00. Dap collects crime data from weekly apd reports and the online crime mapping system to look for patterns, revise the deployment of ambassadors or contracted officers, and send advisories to the district.with help from a grant from corbin foundation, dap ambassadors placed and maintained 269 hanging baskets, planter boxes and sidewalk planters throughout the district. We also planted the north high parklet and a sustainable, pollinator-friendly greenscape in the northside. This more than $100,000 investment was designed collaboratively with Downtown stakeholders, dap staff, and keep Akron beautiful with whom dap contracts to maintain 8 additional in-ground displays Downtown. In 2023, dap continued the integration of native perennials and small trees into the displays to provide seasonal interest and a more sustainable greenscape.throughout the 2022-23fy, dap strengthened and grew our Partnership with community support services with the help of peg's foundation to work toward transitioning Downtown's unsheltered population to permanent housing. The program includes educating dap staff and ambassadors in engaging people in crisis, understanding access to available support services, collaborative tours through the district, and information sharing between organizations. Between 7/1/2022 and 6/30/2023, 9 individuals have transitioned into permanent housing. Dap maintains towpath wayfinding signs throughout the Downtown corridor and creates maps for distribution to connect visitors to Downtown. Dap also contracted with Ohio goose patrol to deploy a dog patrol and other measures to help reduce the number of geese Downtown.

Member outreach & support:as the center of our urban core, the success of Downtown plays a critical role in the economic recovery of our region. Storefront businesses support the Downtown ecosystem through employment, improving safety, retaining talent, adding character and vibrancy to the neighborhood, and contributing to the local economy.dap works with members to celebrate Downtown as a valuable place. Through strategic marketing and management of Downtown resources, dap promotes the district as the premier place to live, work and play in the center of our city.dap also worked with baker media group to create the 2022 Downtown look book, which, like the 2021 edition, is a primarily pictorial 10-page book. Dap worked with several local photographers to demonstrate in a vibrant, engaging way that Downtown Akron is a place where all people are welcome. The guide supplemented the september 2022 edition of Akron life magazine, and 7,500 additional copies are being distributed throughout the district and in select hotels and rest areas in northeast ohio.in fall 2022, dap partnered with the city of Akron to promote Downtown businesses through the fall in love with Akron passport. After the fall in love with Akron passport wrapped, dap launched the first of three enjoy scenic Downtown Akron passports in december. Enjoy scenic Downtown Akron will promote Downtown businesses throughout 2023, focusing on shopping, restaurants and experiences. Additional advertising and promotion throughout the year included 13 print ads reaching thousands of readers.downtownakron.com unique users: 86,162, sessions: 11,011, pageviews: 377,716facebook likes: 12,757x followers: 9,487instagram followers: 7,795linkedin followers: 2,392constant contact enews subscribers: 18,631akron stock photos: 3,300+quarterly updates were produced in april, july, october and january. All issues are housed on the dap website.district meetings - through 2022-23, dap hosted quarterly district meetings to share information about Downtown projects and events, facilitate solutions to challenges and provide networking opportunities for Downtown businesses. Average attendance was 15 people per meeting.

Knight initiatives:knight foundation funds were deployed toward tactical improvements, planning, programming and capacity support when and where needed. The work successfully inspired new public realm investments, enhanced investments already in progress, activated public space and cultivated civic engagement. By co-deciding when and where opportunities for this work were best suited for dap involvement, we maximized the public benefit of knight support. Key outcomes include:1. Create seven signature events to bring people to Downtown, including fall fest, diwali, smells like snow coffee festival, lunar new year, sakura celebration, juneteenth and the courtyard classic presented by nike.2. Create public space placemaking improvements with community partners in cascade plaza and on the nihf stem school plaza.3. Program cascade plaza and other spaces with wellness, concerts and skate nights with a focus on mixing in place.4. Support Downtown planning through the Downtown vision and redevelopment plan 2022+.5. Improve Downtown perceptions through storytelling, guides and marketing initiatives.6. Improve main st and lock 3 winterscape through installation of holiday lighting.7. Support dap capacity through interns, consultants, and programming staff to accomplish the body of work.8. Sustain the Downtown programming committee.9. Engage ms consultants to assist in the Downtown Akron special improvement district renewal.knight support was used in multiple instances to guide public realm investment through planning and consultants, and private investment through stakeholder engagement. Through these efforts, dap came alongside city departments and stakeholders to integrate best principles into public spaces and, in some cases, help materialize those plans and program those spaces. Quantifying those investments and audiences engaged helps us demonstrate the broad impact of the work.knight programmatic activity is supported by a multiyear grant from the john s. and james l. knight foundation. Revenue was received this fiscal year for this work, and carried over from last year as well. Additional support was provided for Downtown planning. Revenue received for this work is listed under contributed income in the 990.

Vibrancy & economic development:downtown dora - the city of Akron launched its first designated outdoor refreshment area (dora) in Downtown in october of 2020. The dora allows customers to take alcoholic beverages outside within the boundaries of the designated area. Dap continues to support the dora through ambassador safety tours, programming, and management of the dora cup program as part of our commitment to Downtown vibrancy. Downtown business development has evolved as a critical dap service since 2007. Dap meets with businesses for retention and expansion visits as a proactive approach to growing the number of jobs Downtown, as well as assisting businesses with direct services and connections to address any challenges they face. Strive to meet with retailers quarterly, and with professional services at least biannually. Dap also conducts bre visits through the new bre effort within elevate greater Akron. Dap tracks statistics on this work by calendar year. Within this effort in 2022, dap participated in all bre committee meetings, and attended 61 ega bre outreach visits. Our individual nps score in this work in 2022 was 85.5% (team goal is 50%) with 52% of interviewees responding to the survey (team goal is 35%). Dap also meets with prospective businesses to assist them on their path to establishing a business. In 2022, dap conducted 50 prospective business meetings with 41 site selection services - 40% were retailers, 16% creative industry, 28% professional services and 16% other types of business. Of these prospective businesses, 42% were owned by people of color and 53% were women owned. In 2022, dap worked with the university of Akron college of business to host three digital marketing workshops for Downtown business owners. A total of 14 business owners were engaged in the different workshops. In 2022, 92% of ega portfolio businesses were retained Downtown and 97% of all general non-retail businesses were retained. In addition, six new non-retail businesses moved downtown.in 2022, five new businesses were selected for phase 6 of dap's burton d. morgan foundation-funded start Downtown program. The program matches entrepreneurs with property owners to bring new businesses Downtown and encourage economic growth in the district. The program also prioritizes supporting businesses owned by women and people of color. The sixth cohort of start Downtown businesses includes: capital talent development group, whose core mission is to advance the talent development of historically underserved and underrepresented talent in the labor market; ernie's catering, which boasts masterfully bold barbeque; perfect pour, a burger and bourbon restaurant; street craftery, which produces handcrafted home goods and offers diy workshops and classes; and velvet vintage, a curated shop selling vintage clothing and furniture. Four of these businesses are owned by women, and four are owned by people of color. All are currently open and operating Downtown, except velvet vintage, which transitioned to online-only in early 2023. Four of the five opened in 2022. In total, 92% of retail storefronts Downtown were retained and 12 new storefront businesses opened Downtown. Dap hosts an online site selection form to facilitate the process of entrepreneurs and businesses looking for space in Downtown. Dap continues to maintain Downtown available commercial listings on the lois (location one information system) database on downtownakron.com to engage entrepreneurs interested in locating their business Downtown. In 2022, the platform had 567 visitors, 1,004 sessions, 5,472 page views and an average session length of 4:30 minutes. Since the Downtown vision and redevelopment plan of 2018, Downtown's primary development focus has been on bringing mixed-use, residential projects to fruition. Residential development is critical to Downtown's economic recovery, as well as an important part of keeping the district socially connected, vibrant and strong. On may 14, dap hosted a Downtown residential open house, where those curious about Downtown living could tour any of six residential buildings including the newly opened goodrich, meet property management, learn the benefits of Downtown living and experience the neighborhood. Dap also facilitated meet and greets throughout the year at Downtown residential buildings to encourage community and networking among those living Downtown. Programming Downtown: dap worked closely with artists and instructors throughout the year to rethink traditional programming while remaining committed to supporting and celebrating arts and culture as a critical part of the Downtown experience. We continue to convene district partners in a virtual, bi-weekly Downtown programming call. Now with more than 20 organizations participating, the group is collaboratively helping rebuild Downtown vibrancy. Placemaking through programming plays a vital role in dap's portfolio of economic development efforts. Dap adds programming to public spaces and assists others in bringing excellent programming to Downtown to create a vibrant and valuable Downtown for all. Part of dap's commitment to programming for diversity, equity and inclusion is illustrated by its work with local contractors, with a focus on working with businesses owned by people of color. For people of all backgrounds to feel truly invited to participate in what Downtown has to offer, they need to see themselves reflected in the vendors, artists, instructors, committee members and performers dap works with to create programming. Lunar new year celebration: an estimated 2,200 people gathered to celebrate lunar new year in the Akron civic theatre. Traditional cultural performances included the lion dance, dragon dance, face-changing performance, waist drum dance, performances by nihf stem middle schoolers and martial arts performances. More than 6 cultural organizations helped to plan and implement the program. Fireworks followed. Sakura / japanese cherry blossom celebration: over 6,000 people attended this event spanning the towpath from cascade locks through Downtown to Ohio & erie canal park, lined with 2,000 luminaries, to witness the beginning blooms of 472 sakura trees planted by the japanese association of northeast Ohio (jano) and the city of Akron. Guests enjoyed cultural performances, food trucks, k-pop dance challenges and more. Summer programs: approximately 2,000 participants attended summer fitness on cascade plaza. Free classes included yoga, pilates, line dancing, bootcamp, kickboxing, and zumba. Other summer events included happy hours and skate nights on cascade plaza with attendance of 1,880 and 1,665 respectively. Juneteenth mix & mingle and family celebration: families and friends numbering 1420 gathered for a ticketed evening mixer and a free celebration in cascade plaza in celebration of black joy. Downtown black businesses owners were recognized and celebrated, amongst food, fellowship and music. The family celebration included cultural performances, vendors and activities for all. Courtyard classic presented by nike: more than 3000 people came to Downtown to enjoy this unique 3 on 3 basketball game right in the center of main st. The event included a pop-up court, food vendors, community tabling and family games and was complimented by a virtual live stream of the game on the Akron civic videoboard. Fall fest: more than 2,000 visitors attended this october 22 celebration spanning main street that featured 16 trick-or-treat stations; food, retail vendors and free activities on cascade plaza; and a free showing of hocus pocus. Diwali festival: more than 500 people celebrated our inaugural diwali celebration on cascade plaza with food trucks, cultural performances, dancing and light displays. Smells like snow coffee festival: dap welcomed 4,000+ people to cascade plaza on november 5 for the gilmore girls inspired smells like snow coffee festival. Five local musicians performed; 22 local vendors sold food, wares and coffee; and show themed photo opportunities and references made for an authentic stars hollow experience. Akron pride festival dap supported Akron pride festival by programming cascade plaza with a roller skate night and operating the shed to serve beverages to welcome over 30,000 people to Downtown. The relationship between the university of Akron and Downtown grew stronger in 2022 through the leadership of president miller and numerous partnerships across campus and Downtown. 2022 highlights include the announcement of the polsky building transformation, ua fall kick off, zips fall in love with Downtown, a lunar new year Partnership, Downtown fall football flag days, Downtown business workshops with the college of business, dap's participation in the university's carnegie reclassification effort and projects with ua interns at dap. In 2022, Downtown was honored to host the start and finish lines of the Akron marathon

Engagement & strategy:dap represents and advocates for Downtown across a number of local and regional partnerships designed to drive equity, economic growth and placemaking. In october of 2022, dap facilitated the beginning of the consensus-led refresh of the Downtown Akron vision and redevelopment plan 2022+. The initial plan, established in 2018 drove significant investment in Downtown, and a post pandemic refresh after five years of progress was needed to recalibrate market data and assumptions as well as engage the broad community and civic leadership in shaping the future of Downtown. The effort included the start of an equity overly for recommendations to move Downtown forward as a place for all. Dap contracted mksk and studio o for the work and fundraised $130,000 for fy 2022-23 efforts. Elevate greater Akron: elevate greater Akron (ega) is an economic development plan for the greater Akron area is designed to create a transformative, high functioning and collaborative economic development system for greater Akron. Dap serves the Partnership as a member of refocus on Downtown, spark Akron, opportunity Akron, and the new bre teams of elevate 2.0, as well as the economic development working group. Ega's work is based on a collaborative approach that is both necessary and fundamental to building long-term, sustainable economic development in Akron. For more on elevate greater Akron, visit elevategreaterakron.org. Consensus and strategy are imperative to successful community building. Dap routinely engages board members and stakeholders in the design, planning and implementation of our work. Established and ad hoc committees met in 2022 to guide business development, marketing, board nominations, residential services, beautification, finance, programming and governance.dap is honored to attend the monthly Downtown operations group meetings convened by the city of Akron's office of integrated development. During these meetings, representatives from city departments work together to address issues and determine Downtown's best and most efficient path forward through shared information and collaboration.successful public transit is a critical part of an excellent, attractive, equitable Downtown. As part of their efforts to draw opportunity to Akron, metro is partnering with community stakeholders to study the potential for development around robust transit service in Akron. In 2022, dap served on the committees to study the feasibility of both transit oriented development and bus rapid transit. The hub for arts, culture and entertainment in summit county, Downtown serves as a placemaker for the region. Coordination and promotion of the more than 25 arts, culture and entertainment venues and events Downtown is facilitated by dap through bimonthly calls among programming partnersthe reconnecting our community initiative is a multiyear, inclusive and equitable engagement process to identify community preferences for the future of a portion of the innerbelt. Dap serves on the advisory group for this process to uplift the reconnection of Akron's neighborhoods with Downtown, and the shared work with Akron's communities to imagine a healed future of opportunity and solidarity.

Other (civic commons, member outreach & support, general & administrative):reimagining the civic commons demonstrates that transformative public spaces can connect people of all backgrounds, cultivate trust, and create more resilient communities. Dap continues to participate in this national, multi-year initiative funded by the rockefeller, kresge, knight and jpb foundations. Notable Downtown projects include planning for the renovation of lock 3, the sakura/ cherry blossom festival in april, the expansion of the dora, and roller skating on cascade plaza. Phase i of the lock 3 olin plan rehabilitation is scheduled is to break ground in spring of 2023 and be completed by fall of 2024.