September 1 & 19, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Present: Ed Haydin, Chris Larson, Chris Lazarski, Meg Miller, Scott Miller, Paul Minear (Alderman, 5^th District), Jacqueline Salemme, Julie Terwelp

SWOT analysis of North Avenue – East Town

Strengths

• Density of population
• High walk-ability / foot traffic
• High visibility / thru traffic
• On a bus line
• Urban
• Solid anchor businesses
• Curb appeal
• Strong sense of community
• Well distinguished properties
• Established as a trade district
• Mixed-use already built in
• Community demographics suggest people living comfortably and within or below their means – more expendable money

Weaknesses

• No comprehensive, long-range plan (though city is working on one, not sure if this area is a main focus)
• Not all neighbors who are within walking distance are aware of or regularly use existing businesses.
• Poor/ non-existent coordinated marketing/pr approach by business group
• Existing businesses do not appear to work together to promote and strengthen the area
• Inflexible infrastructure – limited space & ability to expand existing space/ buildings.
• Perception of high crime / danger
• Lack of controlled outside green space
• Business hours seem limited for evening activity (restaurants)

Opportunities

• Work with existing businesses / business group. Have a liaison between business group and this group to have open lines of communication and help where there are opportunities for a citizens group to be of benefit
• City is working on a long-range community plan
• WEDC has hired a new dedicated employee.
• There is space to bring in family-based/ teen based businesses.
• Space for niche businesses

• Our neighborhoods are unique – demographics, diversity, mixed-use creates a wonderful, vibrant community. Need to pull out the positives to solicit in businesses and market the area to retain home and business owners and encourage investment and re-investment in this area.

Threats

• Not all neighbors who are within walking distance are aware of or regularly use existing businesses.

• No current, strong business association or BID. Businesses appear to not work well together toward the greater good.

• Delinquent and/or absent property owners
• Properties in this area perceived to be good location for “tax shelter” not investment
• Too many vacant spaces – creates vacuum effect and generates concern – creates sense of instability
• Perception of instability and high crime negatively impact the value our largest investment = our homes.
• Traffic is fast and unyielding to foot and bicycle traffic
• City is working on long-range community planning – but we don’t have a sense either way that our neighborhood will get individual attention versus being clumped in with other neighborhoods

2. Key areas, based on the SWOT analysis, which group pulled out to focus on

• Work with the city (via the Aldermen of Districts 1 & 5) to ensure our voice is heard and that we are aware of and can respond to policies and actions impacting this area. The Aldermen have been invited to attend.
• Work closely with local businesses. Have a liaison to communicate to the business association and vice versa.
• Work closely with new contact at WEDC to tap into resources available through that group.
• Slow traffic thus making the neighborhood more “accessible” in feel by encouraging foot traffic – yield for pedestrians in cross-walks signs (information was provided to Paul Minear, though this may require more pressure from this group to bring about).
• Survey TETNA and PPNA members to get sense of their awareness of businesses already in this area and types of businesses they would be most likely to visit if in this area.
• Based on survey results, target and solicit businesses to this area.
  • Prospects shared at meeting: Whole Foods (Bartz), Mexican restaurant (McPets), Wine & Coffee Bar, Schwartz book store/outlet, Soup and Sandwiches restaurant, soda fountain (clean, smoke-free establishment for burgers, fries and milk shakes)
• Target delinquent property owners and use pressure of a citizen’s group to encourage investment in the property or sale of the property
• Work with city / police to increase police presence with sub-station located in this area
• Work with media outlet for positive press / to possibly help focus on delinquent property owners

3. Discussion of organization structure and mission

• The first draft mission of the group is (use the strength of an active citizen’s group) to encourage and advocate for economic sustainability and growth on North Avenue in East Town.
• The group shall have no political affiliation.
• This group is inclusive and open, seeking those with interest and expertise in targeted areas to get involved.
• The group will work to share and communicate as much information as possible using available technology. Group shall also share communication via neighborhood association newsletters and Wauwatosa NOW (I believe this was the area mentioned to post information)
• Structurally, the group decided that we will clearly define the areas we would like to target in the first six months, set measurable goals and create working groups to reach those goals. Progress will be reported in meetings to the larger group
• Group shall hold meetings at East Town business sites to introduce ourselves in person to businesses and increase awareness of our presence

c. Agenda for next meeting

• • Review SWOT for additions, changes.
  • Solidify the mission
  • Determine specific action items, measurable outcomes and timelines. (This is the fun part where people can choose where they want to make the most impact)
  • Determine a name for the group

Respectfully submitted by Meg Miller.

September 19, 2007 Meeting Minutes

Present: Paul Cannariato (Business Owner), Ben Clark (Business Owner), Elizabeth Christiansen, Tammy Crouch (PPNA), Pete Donegan (Alderman 1^st District), Ed Haydin, Meg Miller, Brian Preiss, Karl Schreiber, Gloria Stearns (WEDC), Jerry Stepaniak (Alderman, 5^th District), Matt Stippich

Thank you to Pete and Sue Venturi for letting meet at Venturi’s!

1. Review SWOT

Made updates / additions (see attached)

2. Mission

The following mission was adopted by the group. To encourage and advocate for economic sustainability and growth on North Avenue in East Town. (55^th-76^th Avenue)

3. Comments about long-range planning

Ed Haydin provided an update about the long-range planning meeting he attended the evening prior. Thank you, Ed, for attending the planning meeting and reporting to the group.

• We are strongly encouraged to voice our concerns and opinions for the long-range planning. Following are opportunities for providing comment:
• September 25^th meeting at Hart Park. Though the key focus on Sept 18^th meeting was the East Town area, you can still provide comment on this area at the September 25^th meeting. Location: Hart Park Muellner Building, Tosa Room, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
• Share your thoughts with your Alderman and/or city planning: Alderman: Nancy Welch, Director of City Planning Nwelch@wauwatosa.net or Community Development General email at tplanning@wauwatosa.net
• All Joint Committee on the Comprehensive Plan meetings are open to the public, but to not necessarily take public comment.
• City is working with consultants on project. We have requested that they supply us with questions to include in the survey. They will also be copied on the survey results.

4. WEDC

Gloria Stearns of the WEDC provided background about the WEDC and how we can work together to solicit businesses to the area jointly as well as work with exciting building owners to upgrade their locations. The WEDC can be a powerful partner in bringing in businesses, but we will have to do work on identifying and joint solicitation of potential businesses.

5. Business Review / Discussion of Business Improvement opportunities

Brian Preiss, former Exec. Director of Village BID / current Exec. Director of West Allis of BID, spoke about the importance of forming a BID OR NID in order to strengthen the businesses in this area. It may be necessary for citizens to strongly encourage businesses to form a BID or work with businesses to form an organized business group.

A business improvement district is a geographic area in which property owners agree to a voluntary annual assessment (in addition to their regular property taxes) to provide funds for projects that improve the area. Once a BID if formed, the group can apply for the Urban Main Street Program.

A Neighborhood Improvement District (NID) may be created in an area desiring certain public-use improvements that are paid for by special tax assessments to property owners in the area in which the improvements are made. The kinds of projects that can be financed through an NID must be for facilities used by the public, and must confer a benefit on property within the NID.

6. Action Items

The group agreed upon the following three (3) action items. Please review the action items and sign up for the one you want/ are best suited to focus on.

SURVEY OF NEIGHBORHOOD

• Survey development, distribution and analysis
  • Estimated Time Commitment = one to two hours over 2-3 weeks.
• Survey results communication – Share with Gloria at WEDC, Nancy at City (she will share with consultants for long-range planning.
  • Estimated Time Commitment = 2 hours over 1 week.

IDENTIFICATION AND SOLICITATION OF BUSINESS TO THIS AREA

• Based on results of the survey, this group will closely with the WEDC and city to target and solicit businesses to come to this area.
• This group will create a “solicitation packet” with demographic information, Strengths from the SWOT analysis and the survey results to sell this area to prospects.
  • Estimated Time Commitment = 2-5 hours per month over 12-24 months

SLOW TRAFFIC / ENCOURAGE PEDESTRIAN AND BIKE TRAFFIC

• Draft a letter to Aldermen, signed by group, with recommendation for Yield for Pedestrians in Cross Walk signs along east town area. Include sign-ons from businesses and citizens if possible. Include stats from DOT and CDC.
  • Estimated Time Commitment = 2 hours to draft. Follow up and further communication to group needed.

BLIGHT BUSTERS

• Identify delinquent property owners including garbage on property, overgrown weeds, neglected façade, and overall building neglect. In addition, group can work with current business owners experience trouble with landlords
• The goal of this group is to target this group and use pressure to encourage investment in or sale of the property. The ultimate goal is to encourage well-kept properties and by responsible, involved property owners. If done well, this group will send a message to current and prospective property owners that having a property on North Ave means an investment and that citizens will apply pressure as needed to ensure there is investment.
• Work with city to determine what, if any, violations there are with the site. Encourage issuing of violations; if in violation and none have been made.
• Identified means of action: work with city to ensure violations are noted and fines levied as appropriate. If this isn’t effective, work with local news channels to investigate, stage a sit in on public property outside landlord’s home, print information about landlord and encourage others to call and email landlord.
  • Estimated Time Commitment = 1-3 hours per month.
  • We will need a leader for this group who will communicate the blight, determine the appropriate action and rally the group into action.

Respectfully submitted by Meg Miller.