Last week I was contacted by Connie Kincaid about having a meeting to discuss the issues that I had raised regarding Hickory's Main Street program in the Newsletter about the City Council meeting of August 18, 2009. I truly appreciate her addressing my questions and taking time out of her schedule to present a written response to this forum. Her comments are below in Bold Blue Text.
Special Presentations:
Report by Elizabeth Parham, Director of the North Carolina Main Street Program on the Third-Year Assessment of the City of Hickory’s Main Street Program - Ms. Parham met today with the Downtown Development Association Board and conducted a 3rd year assessment of Hickory's Main Street Program. Hickory received the designation in 2006. The Main Street program is an Economic development program within the context of Historical Preservation. The Main Street Program initiates a 4 point approach - It incorporates organizational initiatives; design, promotions, and economic restructuring. She stated that Hickory is doing very well in that. Hickory has developed a balanced plan and balanced approach. She said it important for the community to understand its economic drivers, have a vision, and have a component of downtown as a part of that vision. It's a public-private partnership.
75 communities in North Carolina have adopted the Mainstreet principles. More than 2,000 communities across the country have adopted the principles. There is a tremendous network available to help Hickory. There has been $2 million invested over the last year. For every dollar of public money invested, there was $15 in private money invested. $6.3 million has been invested in Hickory over the last 3 years. 42 jobs have been created over the last year. 56 jobs have been created over the last 3 years. 15 new businesses have been created over the last year. 18 new businesses have been created over the last 3 years. She stated that the State of North Carolina is our Partner and willing to help.
The Hound thinks we need to see some sunshine when it comes to the Main Street Program. 'Sunshine' is seen quarterly when the reports are presented to the Hickory City Council.
If this is a true Public-Private partnership, then the public has the right to see how these numbers are procured. HDDA tracks the development statistics within the downtown district throughout the year. During the 8-18-09 presentation to Hickory City Council, Ms. Parham highleighted certain statistical figures. Consideration of council's time, all of the statistical data was not verbally reviewed. The annual data that is collected by the HDDA includes the number of building renovations (4 in FY09), building facades redone (2 in '09), new jobs (78 in '09), jobs lost (36 in '09), net gain jobs (42 in '09), ne businesses (27 in '09), businesses closed (12 in '09), business net gain (15 in '09), business expansions (3 in '09), Public Investment ($270,332 in '09), Private Investment ($1,815,485 in '09) for a total investment of $2,085,817 in '09 in the downtown district. HDDA also documents the economic impact of downtown promotions ($8,132,500 in '09), as well as the number of volunteer hours that the private sector contributes to downtown (2,754 in '09). Throughout a 12 month period the numbers add up... many things that happen in the first quarter tend to be forgotten by the fourth quarter. That is why it is so important to physically keep track of statistics.
We deserve to know where the assessments like a 15 to 1 ratio of private to public monies is established, The mathematical formula for determining the ratio of public to private investment may be obtained by dividing the public investment into the private investment. ($1,815,485 divided by $270,332 equals 15). Hence, for every dollar of public investment into the downtown district there is $15 of private investment. A substantial rate of return for the city's investment. Wouldn't you agree.
also are the job and business assessments just new proprietors? Primarily new proprietors are noted; however, the calculations include new employees gained (or lost) from business expansions (square footage or merchandise/product lines which require additional staff both part-time and full-time).
Or are these net-plus gains that factor in new business versus those that have gone out of business? In order to obtain a 'net gain' the calculations must include new businesses as well as closed businesses otherwise you are merely dealing with gross numbers (as determined by the definition of 'net' and 'gross'). The same is true for employee numbers.
If these are net-plus gains then I would like to congratulate the DDA for making progress in trying times; thank you. There are many people working very hard to make progress in downtown Hickory.
but if this does not take into account businesses that have left downtown, then we aren't getting the entire picture. The numbers do take into account businesses who left downtown. I believe the public is getting the entire picture. Hickory City council receives regular updates and reports from HDDA regarding the progress that is being made and the economic impact the Hickory Metro area receives as a result of HDDA volunteer and staff efforts.
Would someone be willing to step up and answer this question, because it does have me curious.
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The Hound wants to thank Ms. Kincaid for stepping up to the plate. This is just the kind of openness that the Hound has been shooting for. I think that this kind of dialogue is key to getting our City back on track and Ms. Kincaid is a pioneer in that process. Kudos from me to you.
I know that at times I have been blunt in my assessment of Union Square, but it is not a personal issue against anyone involved in commerce in the area that Ms. Kincaid defines as Downtown. The concerns I raise are about direct city investment towards one area of this city over the interests of proprietors in other areas of the city. Is it fair to them? So, at a point in time in the future, I hope that the dynamics of the context, I am addressing, changes to realize that I am not picking on Downtown business owners.
I want Union Square to succeed just as much as anyone. I do not want to see it become as blighted as some of the areas that are just a few blocks away. I think we need to think outside of the box to help Ms. Kincaid and those business owners succeed and, in my opinion, city money is not the key to creating a vibrant downtown. I truly wish Ms. Kincaid the best and promise to do my best to help her communicate with the people and achieve a vibrant Downtown Hickory.
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Wednesday, September 2, 2009
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2 comments:
Congratulations. To Ms. Kincaid and her team for making a positive, measurable impact. Hickory is lucky to have you. And, to the Hound for asking questions that deserve to be answered and for making the process open to the public. Hickory is lucky to have you.
The city's investment in downtown has less to do with promoting the interests of one group over another than it does with simple property maintenance. All of the common areas, sidewalks and plaza of Union Square and the surrounding blocks are city property whereas the parking lots and roads in other areas (Viewmont for example) are privately owned. Or in the case of 127 itself, the responsibility of the state DOT to maintain. Furthermore, the city has made substantial investment outside of downtown as well, such as the Convention Center. As for the funding the city provides to HDDA each year, the Association and Ms. Kincaid take many time consuming burdens off the city such as helping new businesses negotiate the permitting process and festival organizers utilize the Square.
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