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Learn more >>Livingston County Commercial District Assesment
Streetsense developed a comprehensive plan comprised of market-based strategic and tactical interventions that aim to enhance the overall visitor economy of Livingston County and each of its nine municipalities. As a consultant to Livingston County, Streetsense led a visionary approach to downtown planning for rural counties where population densities are low and where comprehensive planning for overall economic strength is critical.
Approach/
Streetsense conducted both a county-wide and town-level market analysis, including an assessment of the physical environment, business environment, regulatory environment, and customer demographics and psychographics. The team also incorporated results of focus group discussions and an online survey to better understand local customer and visitor preferences.
Additionally, potential partners, time frames, and cost estimates were provided for each strategy in the categories of capital improvement, private redevelopment, branding and marketing, business attraction/retention and tenant mix.
Instagram-able Murals/
We made a recommendation to create a series of downtown murals as “instagram-able” opportunities at gateways to drive downtown visitation. Murals were also an opportunity to improve and activate the alleys as public spaces that also connect visitors to public parking lots in the downtown. The phenomenal program the county developed resulted in nine professional murals in each downtown, as well as a regional mural festival which drew thousands of visitors.
Business Plan Competition/
We made a recommendation to develop a business plan competition, which aimed to improve visitor assets and business mix. The Business Plan competition resulted in 29 winners over three cycles, of which 26 are still in business or opening shortly. The competition included grants, technical assistance and a “Business Boot Camp” for winners.
Results/
This research effort led to a county action plan with a range of strategies, including development incentives, business attraction/retention, branding and marketing, and key capital improvements, that are easily replicable across each community. The plan has also strengthened the County’s applications to several state and national grant programs.
MORE CASES
The Wren
Telling the story of an introverted building in an extroverted neighborhood through brand and place
North Fork
Master planning and brand visioning a 3.7 million-square-feet SF innovation district
