Dallas Center Economic Development Committee

1
Dallas Center Economic Development Committee

• Overview of Activities To Date
• January 26, 2009

2
DCEDC Overview

• The Dallas Center Economic Development Committee
  was formed by the City Council and appointed by
  the Mayor in the spring of 2006.
• Purpose
• To propose specific economic development plans,
  projects or strategies to create, attract,
  expand, and retain residents, jobs and income
  within Dallas Center (excerpt from DCEDC Charter,
  March 14, 2006).

3
DCEDC Overview

• Committee Members
• Terry Gibson Chair
• Rhonda Mulder Secretary
• Mitch Hambleton Mayor
• Dan Willrich City Council member
• Kim Cross City Council member
• Kelly Broderick Member
• Dan Case Member
• Deb Anderson Member
• Brent Wirth Member

4
DCEDC Overview

• Greater Dallas County Development Alliance
• Consulted with Linda Schaut and the Greater
  Dallas County Development Alliance to discuss how
  community groups discuss, evaluate, create and
  implement Economic Development plans and
  initiatives
• Provided a list of potential resources and
  referrals as to consulting firms that could
  assist DCEDC in developing a comprehensive plan

5
DCEDC Overview

• Retention of Consultant
• The DCEDC issued an RFP for services in January
  of 2007 pertaining to the development of an
  Economic Development Plan that fits the
  strengths, challenges and opportunities of Dallas
  Center
• The Institute for Decision Making (IDM)
  associated with UNI was retained in the spring of
  2007

6
DCEDC Overview

• IDM
• Met with DCEDC in the latter part of 2007 and
  discussed a process to lead to development of a
  plan
• Conducted various visioning workshops with city
  leaders, groups and citizens to discuss
  attributes
• Researched DC and surrounding areas and economic
  and demographical issues
• Identified strengths and opportunities, as well
  as challenges

7
DCEDC Overview

• DC Economic Development Plan
• Work of the DCEDC with IDM lead to the
  development of an Economic Development Plan in
  early 2008
• The Plan consists of two far-reaching goals under
  two focal points
• Maintain and Enhance Community Beautification,
  Pride and Vibrance
• Develop and Expand on Business and Industry
  Opportunities

8
Economic Development Plan

• Community Pride, Beautification and Vitality
• GOAL Create a vibrant downtown area
• Completion of bike trail
• Development of trail head
• Create unified streetscape theme for downtown and
  commercial corridors
• Improve ascetics of downtown area
• Develop comprehensive plan aimed at property
  maintenance in Dallas Center

• Industry and Business
• GOAL Create Opportunities For Existing and New
  Businesses
• Redesign DC web site
• Include information about DC in LOIS (Location
  One Information Source) database
• Explore ways to expand functioning of DCEDC (form
  separate nonprofit entity)?
• Coordinate activities with GDCDA and participate
  on employer contact visits
• Develop a small business initiative

9
DCEDC Overview

• Streetscape Planning
• June of 2008 the DCEDC retained Confluence (f/k/a
  Brian Clark Associates), a streetscape
  architectural firm to assist in developing plans
  to refresh the downtown and commercial corridors
  (Highway 44 and R16)
• A series of charettes were held in late June of
  2008 with over 90 individuals participating in
  discussions
• Efforts resulted in schematic drawings for
  proposed revitalization of commercial areas
  through use of street trees, new lighting, curb
  bumpouts on Walnut, medians on entry ways into
  downtown, and brick crosswalks
• Also received drawings and proposals for
  trailheads

10
DCEDC Overview

• Other Efforts
• Initiated a Farmers Market from mid-July through
  August of 2008 to promote DC businesses and
  downtown area
• Assisting with design of new web site for Dallas
  Center
• Working with Brent Wirth (Design Director, Trilix
  Marketing Group) to develop a new logo and
  tagline or theme/message for Dallas Center
• Exploring ways to implement Streetscape Design
  projects with internal resources
• Working with City Council to explore development
  of bike trailhead facility within City limits
• Pursuing identification of potential funding
  sources

11
DCEDC- Current Activities

• DCEDC is currently working on a budget proposal
  to submit to the City Council for economic
  development activities in FY2009-2010
• Items include
• marketing activities an roll out of new logo and
  tagline
• detailed drawings and plans for initial phase of
  Streetscape work downtown focusing on lighting,
  cutouts for plantings/trees and curb or sidewalk
  work.
• DCEDC will be making a recommendation to City
  Council on adopting the new logo and tagline at
  its meeting on Feb. 10th- will include
  recommendations on water tower color and tie in
  to logo and theme

12
DCEDC Overview

• Next steps
• We need to engage our citizens (corporate,
  business and residents) in our process to provide
  ideas, energy and enthusiasm to help us achieve
  our collective goals
• Questions?