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APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consider approval of minutes from October 27, 2021 and April 27, 2022
- October 27, 2021 minutes - Motion for approval by Board Vice Chair Hansrote, and seconded by Board Member Peace.
- April 27, 2022 minutes - Motion for approval by Ms. Hansrote, and seconded by Board Member Hodson.
- July 27, 2022 minutes - Staff noted that due to lack of quorum, no meeting minutes need to be approved.
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GENERAL UPDATE ON EXISTING PROJECTS
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- Managed District Services
- Construction activation initiatives continuing
- Demo Art initiative well underway, with local artist adding art installations to sidewalks slated for demolition during project
- Visitors will be encouraged to count up hidden flamingos to redeem for prizes as part of Flamingo Find campaign scheduled for release in coming days
- Team Downtown has transitioned into new role offering concierge and informational services synced with events
- Small Business Saturday
- Encouraging shoppers to shop local throughout the holiday season, starting on Nov. 26 for the annual Small Business Saturday event
- At event check-in, shoppers will receive scratch-off ticket to redeem for a gift at a participating downtown location, in addition to a hot beverage, event map, and complimentary downtown ornament
- Downtown Housekeeping
- Interdepartmental team working on key issues impacting downtown area
- Initial presentation to Council occurred recently
- Key initiatives up for evaluation including parking, utility corridor, use of wider sidewalks, and shared waste services
- Team is moving forward with next phase of waste services pilot program, to coordinate consolidation of waste containers and sponsor new dumpster art installations
- Park-It Program
- Ongoing partnership between City, downtown stakeholders, and residential property management
- 48 permits issued to date between 7 different downtown businesses, with intent to free-up prime real estate
- City Center garage has some permit requirements during business hours, but all floors open for public parking outside of these hours
- Revitalization Program
- Fiscal capacity of initial program has been reached, with $500,000 of public funding committed to reinvestment in Downtown. Over $1.5 million in investment has been proposed in sync with the program partnership.
- Fiscal Year 2023 request for additional program funding has been approved.
- Project Updates
- Latham Bakery (700 Main Street) project in final stages, with the Bakery now open and experiencing great success.
- 500 Main Street project underway, with a dumpster enclosure completed just last week. In the coming months, additional progress expected on the façade, roof, etc.
- 507 W State St (Intrinsic patio) project underway, with intent to repair damage from ice storm and revitalize space with a rooftop deck.
- Enhanced Square Programming
- Thirsty Third Thursday has kicked off its third campaign. This extended shopping hours campaign encourages businesses to stay open later, with participating locations offering complimentary beverages to shoppers.
- Band Together on the Square concert series is complete, with a total of 22 concerts hosted from May through September. Concerts capitalized on creative spirit of the community to activate 506 Art space and Plaza Theater with Friday evening live music opportunities.
- Several downtown businesses offered “Band Together Bundles” in sync with the concerts to encourage visitors to grab specialty deals and dinners before enjoying live music, with marketing support on Visit Garland
- The Fair Fare campaign returned for its third year, in partnership with 14 downtown restaurants. The campaign kicked off with the Fair Fare “Fix of the Year” tasting event, with a local judging panel selecting favorites in sweet and savory categories. Throughout the campaign, Visit Garland social media efforts reached 38,000 individuals, and influencer partnerships reached an additional 160,000 people.
- Downtown Garland for Christmas, following the kick-off on Small Business Saturday, is a campaign to promote shopping local and experiencing historic Downtown Garland throughout the holidays. DDO, Cultural Arts, the Landmark Museum, the Garland Downtown Business Association, and others will sponsor various activities.
- The Holiday Storefront Contest will feature festive, decorated downtown business storefronts and engage the public online to select their favorites.
- Public Art
- Out of the Box Dumpster Beautification will begin its next phase with a Call for Artists in the coming weeks, expanding on the 2021 pilot program.
- Downtown Mural Program funding was approved for Fiscal Year 2023.
- Downtown Area Improvements
- We are closing in on the halfway point of the Downtown project, with full completion slated for late 2023
- Fifth Street is due for reopening in the coming weeks, following recent closure of Sixth and State streets intersection
- DDO continues to focus on communicating with and advocating for downtown stakeholders.
- Following dip in attendance, the regular “Construction Chatter” event will move to an “After Hours” approach in November, with the intent to maximize opportunities for stakeholders to visit with the contractor about the project.
- Public Restrooms
- Site prep is underway, with pre-fabricated building scheduled for delivery in late November; mural install will happen at a later date.
- Forest/Jupiter Improvements
- At Montgomery Park, demolition is complete and side grading is underway. Water, wastewater, and electric work will begin soon after.
- Board Member Porras inquired about timeline for infrastructure work in Downtown. Staff reviewed intersection closure timeline, with Sixth and State scheduled for completion in January, and Sixth and Main scheduled for closure around this time.
- Infrastructure work will last approximately six months per phase, with two to three months scheduled for streetscape enhancements.
- Mr. Peace expressed concern about security in Downtown following completion of improvements
- Next meeting, staff will bring update on ordinances related to overnight visitors, curfew, and vagrancy matters.
- The public restrooms will have automatic locks in place and dedicated attention to facility maintenance and cleaning.
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STAFF UPDATE ON TIF PROJECT AND FINANCE PLAN
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- Changes for Fiscal Year 2023
- Program Assistant for DDO is now fully funded under the TIF budget
- Initial funding for the Mural program was approved
- Funding approved for District Economic Analysis to analyze downtown economic profile
- Creation of Downtown website is underway, with annual maintenance costs approved under the new budget
- Additional funding approved for the next Band Together concert series
- A new round of funding approved for phase 2 of the Revitalization Program
- Update from Jud Rex, Assistant City Manager, on the TIF Project and Finance Plan
- TIF 1 is set to expire at the end of 2024, and board has inquired about possibility of extending the TIF. City Council will look to the TIF 1 Board whether to extend the TIF for 10 years, allowed per State code, or to extend the TIF 1 district boundaries.
- The TIF has fulfilled various needs as defined at its creation, including funding a Downtown Development Office, façade grants, downtown improvements, mixed-use housing developments, and more.
- Dallas County would also need to approve extension of TIF 1.
- Staff is monitoring projects within and in close proximity to the TIRZ, including the Draper project at Garland Road and Main Street, and opportunities may exist to expand boundaries in support of these projects. Other projects include redevelopments along State Street (between First and Third Streets) and Sixth Street (between Avenues D and F). Staff will have more information by the January 2023 TIF 1 Board meeting.
- Board Discussion
- Mr. Peace inquired about location of one development opportunity along Walnut Drive. Staff highlighted its location across the street from the DART Station.
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