visiting danville

Visiting Danville…

AND OUR STREETSCAPE, OUR SIGNAGE, AND OUR SPACES

In the near future, we will need to focus on product development in

addition to our traditional promotional duties

Why act now?

Our Danville ÒproductÓ has been enhanced. While some additional

hotel/B&B stock would be great, itÕs our dining scene that needed the most

help.

Why act now? Impact of Expanded

Alcohol Sales

Expanded Alcohol

Bluegrass Pizza & Pub, The Hub, 303 West, Mermaids, V-The Market, and

Beer Engine will go a long way to kick starting a ÒnightlifeÓ of sorts downtown

Expanded Alcohol Events

•Eat Drink Danville•Constitution Square Arts Fest•Gallery Hops•Great American Brass Band

Expanded Alcohol Events

•Eat Drink Danville•Constitution Square Arts Fest•Gallery Hops•Great American Brass Band•More to come…

Why act now?

Other issues..Planning and Zoning HeadlinesOur Parks and Green SpaceTrails and Pedestrian Issues

Being in position…

Step One: Review Best Practices

Step Two: Adopt and Implement a Comprehensive Plan

What Other Cities Are Doing Right

Streetscape Emphasis

Conducive to Business DevelopmentVisually AppealingMore WalkableSafer for PedestriansPet-friendly Stores and RestaurantsTrees and planting

Franklin, TN

Franklin, TN

Franklin, TN

Franklin, TN

Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC

Asheville, NC

Corning, NY

Streetscape Summary

People enjoy walking downtown with a critical mass of retail, arts,

dining, and events.

Signage

Equally as important to visitors as streetscape.

Can be wrapped into streetscape plan.Critical for way-finding, brand

enhancement, and business development.

Lexington, KY

Franklin, TN

Newport, KY

Signage

Quality signage goes hand-in-hand with a strong streetscape.

Spaces

Green SpacesCommunity SpacesGathering Areas

The popularity of these types of spaces is exponentially growing.

Bernheim Forrest, KY

Corning, NY

Corning, NY

Charleston, SC

Abingdon, VA

Lexington, KY - Cheapside Park

Lexington, KY - Cheapside Park

Spaces

These areas service local needs, but also bring in tons of visitors.

Concerts, events, and performances are perfect in these areas.Community gardens are also in the news, along with farmers markets and C.S.A.s.

Common Questions

What is being done about people getting hit crossing the street?

What can or can’t be done with our business signage?

How do we fix the parking problem?Where can we set up the Farmers Market?How can we better our parks?

Common Questions

Is Millennium Park getting all the funding? Where can we put a downtown festival? Why is it so hard to shut down streets for event? Why is it so difficult finding our way around

town? How many banks/financial/doctors offices do we

need downtown? When will our streetlights match?

Common Questions

Perhaps by outlining a plan of action that we can push for, we can help begin to answer

some of these questions. And we feel that at the heart of these issues are streetscape,

signage, and spaces.

Moving Forward

What we have Great relationship with

the Heart of Danville Solid Streetscape base Well-established

national and regional festivals

Moving Forward

Strong P&Z office Parking Garage Dining options Excellent retail base Community Support Bedrock arts

organization

Moving Forward

Our Challenges

Streetscape tied to state funding

Dated signage ordinance

No real way-finding system.

Moving Forward

Limited Public Space

Decline in City Parks

Moving Forward

Let the “what ifs” begin….

Moving Forward

What if…

We push the City and Frankfort to step up?

We pushed for a city-owned public space or structure for events?

We focused on more greenery and flowers downtown?

Moving Forward

What if…

Our other parks got the attention they deserve?

We tweaked our branding approach to coordinate with a new signage system?

Moving Forward

Let’s..

Go to our elected officials and key board members and invite them to see some of the places that do it so well.

Sponsor trips to places like Franklin or Asheville.

Allow people to see the steps other cities have taken.

Moving Forward

Let’s...

Look at branding research and how we might translate it.

See what Frankfort and Danville can do with the streetscape plan and our signage.

Moving Forward

Let’s..

Research alternative uses for our parks and grant programs that help with beautification.

Moving Forward

If we can focus on these key areas, I think visiting Danville will be a better,

and more frequent, experience.