annual report - Erie Downtown Partnership

ANNUAL
2013
REPORT
OUR MISSION
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Erie Downtown Partnership is a non-profit membership organization
created to revitalize downtown by improving its image, business climate,
physical environment and design. Based on the National Main Street
Model, the Partnership, one of more than 800 improvement districts in the
United States, addresses three specific downtown concerns: Economic
Restructuring, Design and Special Events.
Chairman David Katovich
Vice President of Underwriting
& Claims, Erie Insurance Group
Vice President David Sherman
Owner, Isaac Baker Menswear
Treasurer Chuck Scalise
President and CEO, H.A.N.D.S.
Secretary Keith Taylor, Ph.D.
President, Gannon University
(Representative: Erika Ramalho)
Joseph Sinnott, Esq.
OUR HISTORY
Mayor, City of Erie
(Representative: Brenda Sandberg)
Collective action brings change. That was the motivating principle behind
the creation in 2004 of the Downtown Improvement District by more
than 500 merchants, property owners, businesses and organizations
dedicated to the renewal of Erie’s historic and economically vital central
business district.
Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett
Tim Wachter, Esq.
Almitra Clerkin
Executive Director, Erie Playhouse
Shawnta Pulliam
Now known as the Erie Downtown Partnership, the organization is an
agent of change in the area bounded by Presque Isle Bay to the north, the
14th Street railway bridge to the south, and stretching from Sassafras to
Holland Streets.
Executive Director, Nurturing Hearts
Stakeholders within this area have been empowered to determine effective
methods—in services provided, initiatives begun and projects to be carried
out—that will result in the increased vibrancy of the downtown.
Vice President, General Services,
UPMC Hamot Medical Center
Ray Massing
Executive Director, Erie Parking Authority
Ray Moluski
Thomas P. “Tippy” Dworzanski
Property owners within the designated area contribute to the
organization according to an assessment formula based on the value
of land and buildings, all with the coherent and single-minded goal of
making downtown Erie a better place to live, work, shop, learn, play and
do business.
Owner Park Place/Sherlock’s
In addition to providing support to grow our business community and
property owners, the Erie Downtown Partnership assists in assuring that
our downtown is clean and attractive to help welcome our guests.
Owner, Calamari’s Squid Row
Mark Neidig, Sr.
Executive Director, John Kanzius
Cancer Research Foundation
Marci Honard
OUR STAFF
Core Services
Administrative
Chief Executive Officer John Buchna
Assistant Director Christina Katen
2013
Accountant Kelly Hilling
Maintenance Technician Gary Geisler
FINANCIALS
Maintenance Technician David Little
No assessment dollars
go to running events
MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
As a future-oriented organization, the Erie Downtown Partnership prefers
to look forward, not backward. Still, 2013 was a year of dynamism and
accomplishment downtown.
The ultimate measure of success is in the revitalization of the area and
the members we serve. Measured by the attraction of new businesses,
the success of existing businesses and the improvements in the physical
components of downtown, 2013 was a year from which positive momentum
can be built.
Program Expenses
NOTEWORTHY
New programming is the path to progress, and grant funding is the
vehicle that puts the Erie Downtown Partnership on that path. In the
past year, the Partnership has been very successful at securing grant
funding that supported more than $100,000 of new programming.
These grants included:
$
Ultimately, though, we will be judged on our future success and with this
momentum, we have important initiatives for 2014. These include the
formulation of an updated master downtown plan, a new website for the
Partnership, and our continuing focus on increasing the vibrancy and
health of downtown businesses.
2,500
SPECIAL EVENTS GRANT
Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority
SECURITY INCREASE GRANT
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
$
12,500
Given the wise counsel of our Board, and the energy and enterprise of our
staff, I’m confident that in 2014, there’s nothing we cannot do.
Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority
PLANNING GRANT
50,000
15,000
MISSION MAIN STREET
Department of Community & Economic Development
$
$
$
25,000
FAÇADE GRANT
Department of Community & Economic Development
COOPERATIVE INTERNSHIP PORGRAM
W.I.N. Foundation
2,000
$
An application for DCED’s Main Street Program is currently pending.
NEW THIS YEAR
The Erie Downtown Partnership introduced the Small Business Saturday
initiative on November 30. Timed to support downtown merchants for
the crucial long weekend after Thanksgiving that is the busiest shopping
period of the year, the initial effort was an outstanding success. The
Partnership worked with merchants to craft special offers and promotions
that would build traffic and sales. Nearly 50 businesses participated and
sales of Downtown Gift Certificates good at any participating merchant
exceeded $10 thousand.
Social media is an increasingly powerful and cost-effective way of
building engagement and customer loyalty. In 2013, the Erie Downtown
Partnership introduced a new client services program to 12 businesses
delivered through a cooperative social media intern provided by the WIN
Foundation. As a result of the program, these businesses increased their
organic (not-paid) Facebook profile “likes” by 30 to 100 and reported
increased revenue during the pilot period.
NEW BUSINESSES
BY THE NUMBERS
44,000
$
raised for local
charities through
our events
40
BIKE
RACKS
100,000
$
4
FUN
LOGOS
in grants
obtained
2013 MEMBERS
1031 State Street, LLC
1201 Kitchen
1839 Realty
715 Investors
Advanced Window’s & Siding
Al Deluca’s News & Variety Shop
Amelia’s
American Surplus
Anchor Marine, Ltd.
Angelo’s Beauty Supply
Arby’s
Asian & Sushi Cuisine
Attorneys Amoriello, Schroeder
and Mansmann Avalon Hotel
Bayfront Gallery
Bayfront Grille
Bayside Pharmacy
Benjamin’s
Bertrand’s Bistro
Boardwalk Complex
Brightstar Healthcare
Calamari’s Squid Row
Cappabianca Travel
Casablanca Hookah Lounge
Casablanca Sandwich Express
Catfish Kitchen
CATV
Charisma Salon
Cherish Boutique
Chido’s Cleaners
Citizen’s Bank
Cleckley’s Barber Shop
Cloud 9 Wine Bar & Tapas
Community Health Net
Connoisseur Media
Conrail Erie Federal Credit Union
Crooked I
Crowner Architects
D’ Denniston Gallery of Fine Art
Dafmark Dance Theartre
Dewy’s
Divine Creations
Docksider’s
Dollar General
Dominick’s Eatery
Downtown Deli
Early Connections
El Toro Loco
Elderkin Law Firm
Epic Web Studios
Erie Ale House
Erie Arts & Culture
Erie BayHawks
Erie Center on Health & Aging
Erie Club
Erie Community Credit Union
Erie Community Foundation
Erie County Convention Center Authority
Erie County Historical Society
Erie County Mental Health
Erie County Recycling Program
Erie Explosion
Erie Federal Credit Union
Erie General Tire
Erie Instant Print
Erie Insurance
Erie Maritime Museum
Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority
Erie Otters
Erie Parking Authority
Erie Philharmonic
Erie Playhouse
Erie Seawolves
Erie Summer Festival of the Arts
ERIEBANK
ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum
Fainstein Photography
Family Dollar
Fast Signs
First Amendment Tees
First National Bank
First United Methodist Church
Fisher Jewelers
Flagship Niagara League
Franco’s Café
Fred’s Furniture
Gannon Small Business Development
Center
Gannon University
GECAC
Gem City Elks
George Carroll House
Glass Block Specialties by Bruno
Glass Growers
Golf Revolution
Grace Fellowship Church
Great Lakes Institute of Technology
Griswold Enterprises
H.A.N.D.S
Hagan Business Machines
Happy Garden
Harborview Minature Golf
Hardinger & Clement Opticians
Headlund Glass
Health South
Hookah Café
Hungry Howie’s Pizza
Impromtu Gift Shop
Initial Broadcasting of Pennslyvania
Isaac Baker Menswear
Jekyll & Hyde’s
Jones School Associates
Jr.’s Last Laugh Comedy Club
Kerr’s Tire Korner
Khao Tai
Kidder Wachter Architecture Firm
Kindercare
Knox, McLaughlin, Gornall & Sennett
Lake Erie Ballet
Lakeshore Towing Services
Last Illusions Hair & Make Up
Lavery Brewing
Legacy Financial
Logistics Plus
Lovell Place
Lund Boat Works
MacDonald Illig
Macdonald Law Office
Madelene’s Beauty Salon
Magic Cookie Co.
Maritime Museum
Marquette Savings Bank
Masonic Temple
McCarthy, Martone & Peasley
McCarty Printing
McDonald’s
Metropolitan Dance Club
Michael’s Hair Salon
Modern Adult
Modern Dental
Modern Tool Reality
Molly Brannigan’s
Monacella Massage
National Fuel
Niagara Realty, LLC
Northwest Savings Bank
Nurturing Hearts
Palace Business Center
Peanut Shoppe
Penn Shore Winery
Pero Realty
Pfeffer Insurance Agency
Picasso’s Gourmet Sandwiches
Plaza 900
PNC Bank
Port Erie
Potter Silk Screen
Presque Isle Angler Dockside
Professional Development Associates
Pulakos’ Chocolates
Quantum Balance
Ralph Miller Jewelers
Red Door School Uniforms
Renaissance Center
Richford Arms
Rite Aide Pharmacy
Rose Beauty
Rose Garden Café
Rum Runner’s
Russo’s Barber Shop
Samir’s Market
Sanners Office Supply
Sassy Peacock
Scully’s Pub
Sesler & Sesler
Shawnee Optical & Kidspecs
Shell Gas Station
Sherlock’s/Park Place
Shooting Star Transportation Systems
Signs by Todd
Skeeters
Sluggers Sports Bar
Smugglers Wharf
St Patrick’s Haven
St. Patrick’s Church
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Standard Square
Starbucks
State Street Law Offices
State Street Market
Steve O’s Pizza
Subway
Sunoco
Taco Bell
The Blasco Library
The Boston Store
The Brewerie at Union Station
The Cathedral Center
The Cathedral of St. Paul
The City of Erie
The Cove
The Erie Art Museum
The Erie City Mission
The Knight’s Club
The Plymouth Tavern
The Pufferbelly Restaurant
The Schuster Gallery
The Sidewalk Café
The Sumner Building
The Victorian Princess
The Warner Theatre
Thomas Freeman Architects
Tickle’s Deli
UPMC Hamot
Urban Engineers
Urraro Gallery
Viva Wraps & Pitas
Wendy’s
Ye Old Sweets
YMCA
SPONSORS
STAKEHOLDERS
PARTNERS
140 East 5th Street
Erie, PA 16507
814-455-3743
WWW.ERIEDOWNTOWN.COM
/ErieDowtownPartnership
@ERIDTN
@eriedowntown