Goals/Objectives 2011

ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE
Goal:  Provide effective leadership and involvement in the program

Objective: Develop sustainability through effective funding/membership            

• Promote Main Street Tax Credit advantages
• Support Food & Wine Festival Fundraising Event
• Write quarterly progress reports
• Equip board to solicit new members
• Pursue solicitation of sponsorships of primary events and projects

Objective: Develop clear and effective communication on behalf of GHHWA                        

• Press releases and letters to editor
• Quarterly “Report Cards”
• Information booth work
• Operate Welcome Committee
• Create and update main talking points
• Attend and report at monthly Roundtable Meetings
• Provide relevant webinars for Main Street education and enhancement for merchants
• Follow up and appreciation to volunteers

Objective: Build and contribute to an active volunteer network                                                                       

• Expand volunteer base
• Collaborate with local community organizations
• Work with board on awards to deserving volunteers
• Volunteer staff for office

Objective: Support an effective operational and administrative function                                                   

• Pursue Full Main Street Designation
• Explore organization name change
• Support communication and transparency between the board and committees
• Conduct annual nominations process
• Support Board By-laws review
• Support to Executive Director

PROMOTIONS COMMITTEE:
Goal:  Promote the social, cultural, and economic assets of the waterfront district

Objective: Continue successful events with enhancements to increase their economic effectiveness

• Art of Chocolate Walk - February
• Work with Chamber of Commerce on Maritime Gig Fest – June
• Collaborate with city to have watering truck in parade to promote flower basket program
• Chalk the Walk – July - Work with the Peninsula Art League to enhance the event and increase interaction between the two organizations
• Support the Wine & Food Festival (fundraising event for GHHWA)
• Trick or Treat in the Harbor with Pumpkin Decorating Contest Add On
• Girls Night Out - November
• Support at the City tree lighting ceremony (serve refreshments)
• Create sub-committee to organize waterfront district Christmas party
• Candlelight Christmas in the Harbor – 2nd weekend in December
• Support for Gallery Association Monthly Art Walk
• Support for SalmonChanted Harbor
  

Objective: Develop new events

•  Explore possibility of spring 2011 event
  

Objective:   Event Planning, Education and Results

• Educate the public about what is available downtown through enhancement of our district map (with ED/Design Committees)
• Provide relevant webinar/training relating to promotional activities
• Collaborate with hotels and City Marketing Department for Visiting Groups (e.g. Steppin’ Up Women’s Conference, yacht clubs, etc.)
• Utilize survey measurements for events to assess effectiveness

DESIGN COMMITTEE
Goal:  Encourage visual improvements through good design compatible with historic features

Objective:  Work with City to identify and implement a program for public improvements

• Flower Basket Program (all summer watering support)
• Recruit additional volunteers
• Secure funding and/or partners to continue flower basket program
• Partnership with City of Gig Harbor/community groups
• Re-evaluate basket locations and update map
• Flower Planter Box Program (all season maintenance)
• Recruit additional volunteers
• Recruit planting crew
• Secure funding and/or partners to continue flower planter program (Adopt a Planter)
• Partnership with City of Gig Harbor/garden clugbs
• Submit for Home Depot Grants
• Create list/map of planter locations
• City Christmas Tree Lights
• Collaborate with City to maintain Skansie and Finholm tree light replacement
• Collaborate with City to maintain white lights on Pioneer Way and evaluate other trees to light during holidays
• Explore lighting the Eddon Boat Park tree
• Form committee to address unified design for waterfront decorations
• Explore design options of other communities
• Explore use of design consultant
• Jerisich Dock/Skansie Park Improvements
• Complete plan and gain approval from appropriate City departments
• Coordinate with City on implementation of design
• Solicit contributions for project
• Corner Clock Project
• Complete plan and gain approval from appropriate city departments
• Coordinate with City and Rotary on implementation of design
• Solicit funding for project
• Indentify grant opportunities for historic preservation activities with City staff, particularly relating to net sheds

Objective:  Promote Education and Resources in the area of district design

• Educate both members and the public about good design through webinars/seminars
• Revise and update district map (with Promotions/Economic Development Committees)
• Explore available resources for building improvements/grant applications for preservation of historic landmarks (e.g., net sheds)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Goal:  Strengthen and diversify the economic vitality of the waterfront district

Objective: Study the district’s current economic condition and identify growth opportunities:

• Develop and implement a procedure and database of property and tenant information to assure availability of accurate information on the economic magnitude and health of the downtown.
• Evaluate the current economics of the downtown area and define economic drivers and vision alternatives for the future to provide a focus economic stability.
• Evaluate spending potential for downtown to create awareness of the types of business appropriate to be viable in the downtown waterfront area.

Objective: Strengthen existing business and recruit new ones:

• Coordinate relevant business education and forum opportunities to help develop effectiveness and synergism of merchant and property owner stakeholders.
• Continue encouraging customer and merchant involvement in the 3/50 “buy local” program to focus purchases on downtown merchants.
• Maintain, enhance and promote awareness of the database of available properties for sale or rent to help attract tenants and owners to downtown properties.

Objective: Find new economic uses for traditional buildings:

• Update parking availability, utilization and turnover studies and recommend parking code and availability enhancements to assure sufficient parking for downtown business and residents.
• Develop strategies to encourage community awareness of the importance of economic vibrancy to the maintenance of the historic marine oriented character of Gig Harbor.

Objective: Encourage investment (incentives & capital) for building rehabilitation and business development:

• Continue to assist in coordinating the development of a connection between the regional Cushman trail and the downtown Museum district to enhance citizen and visitor exposure to downtown.
• Continue to develop information to help the City understand the importance of creating marine support infrastructure (moorage, fuel, etc.) to encourage marine oriented economic impact on downtown.

Objective: Monitor the economic performance of the district

• Develop building occupancy, retail sales and visitor information to allow evaluation of the economic health and performance of the downtown area.
• Consider possible review of B&B and other lodging availability, traffic flow, expansion of moorage on Jerisich dock, a volunteer visitor harbormaster, and volunteer parking enforcement and other projects to enhance appropriate economic activity in the downtown area.

Objective:  Farmer’s Market Evaluation

• Review and hold discussions about improving and expanding existing market

Objective:  Promote Education and Resources in the area of district design

• Educate both members and the public about economic development issues through webinars/seminars

Added emphasis will be placed on creating a merchant and property owners forum, perhaps involving desired speakers.  The intent would be to provide helpful information and to encourage a dialogue on working together to improve business operation and the downtown community.