Right Now Downtown

On November 10, Capital Crossroads SID held its annual meeting to report on the work the SID has conducted through the year and to recognize the contributions made to the fabric of downtown by individuals and businesses.  This year’s meeting was held at the Westin Great Southern, thanks to in-kind donation from the hotel.  Additional sponsors included Ohio Support Services and Ohio Custodial Management, which provides the SID with the Clean and Safe Ambassador team.  Spinelli’s Deli tempted attendees with freshly baked cookies in celebration of the grand opening of their new location at 50 North High Street.  Musical entertainment was provided by students from The Wellington School. 

In addition to thanking the SID property owners, Jeffrey Wolf, Chairman of the CCSID Board of Trustees, recognized the voluntary contributions by four exempt owners whose contributions represent 18 percent of the SID’s operating revenue: the City of Columbus, the Central Ohio Transit Authority, Franklin County and the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  Wolfe reminded attendees that reauthorization of the SID is in process.  Marc Conte, Research Director, is meeting with property owners; owners representing 60 percent of the property in the SID must sign the petition to reauthorize in order to continue operations beyond 2011.  The reauthorization efforts should be completed in January. 

Executive Director Cleve Ricksecker then discussed SID financials, outlining the balance of administrative and overhead costs with programming expenses.  This year, CCSID staff was able to supplement budgeted monies with $132,000 in grants from a variety of federal, state and local sources, as well as through generous sponsorships such as those from WCBE FM and the Hyatt on Capitol Square for Pearl Market and Downtown LIVE. 

“We are very conscious of the assessments you provide, and everyone on staff works hard to deliver the best possible value,” explained Ricksecker.  “We try to spend as little on administration as possible so that your money goes into programming on the streets.”  

Clean and Safe Services 

Ricksecker then reported on the SID’s clean and safe services, noting that Downtown Columbus is the cleanest downtown in the U.S.  CCSID ambassadors work daily to remove litter, wash sidewalks, control graffiti, remove weeds, and wash newspaper racks, High Street bus shelters and other fixtures.  Seasonal services are also performed such as leaf removal, snow and ice removal and planting and maintenance of flowers during the summer months. 

In addition to maintaining a clean environment, CCSID strives to keep downtown one of the safest precincts in Columbus.  Though crime is up throughout the city during these tough economic times, the increase within the SID has been kept to a minimum. 

“Downtown is safe because of an effective program, combining communication, strict enforcement, compassion and coordination,” said Ricksecker.  “Safety does not happen by accident.” 

Communication is vital between CCSID safety ambassadors, the Columbus Division of Police, security forces within buildings and people on the street.  Lisa Defendiefer, Downtown Safety Coordinator, was commended for completing a comprehensive security network, which included linking security operations with one another, the SID and the Division of Police through regular meetings, a secure Web site and a radio network.  And Outreach Coordinator Alyson Poirier was recognized for her work providing outreach and advocacy services to people in need of help.

Marketing and Promotions 

In addition to the very important safety and cleaning services, CCSID also is charged with marketing and promoting downtown.  Ricksecker noted that the SID markets to key audiences including downtown employees, downtown and in-town residents and young professionals.  The message revolves around the idea that downtown is the place to be, is at the center of culture, arts and entertainment, and is a charming, urban location.  The message is shared through the DowntownColumbus.com Web site; companion newsletters such as Right Now Downtown and Downtown News Network; special events such as Pearl Market, the Capitol Square Kickball League and Downtown LIVE; sponsorships of events such as Independents; Day, Bike-to-Work Week and City Hop; and programming such as a the recycling program.

CCSID also works to make coming downtown a positive experience for residents, workers and visitors.  The SID offers visitor services like the mobile iCart kiosk, welcome baskets for new tenants and property owners, and a hospitality network during special events such as the Arnold Sports and Fitness Expo and the 2010 Gay Softball World Series.

 The Future of Retail

While Ricksecker noted that overall Downtown Columbus is doing well, the area most in need of improvement is retail.  While the demand for retail services is strong, there is insufficient retail supply, particularly after the demise of City Center. 

With support from the City of Columbus, CCSID hired Kacey Brankamp as a Retail Recruiter, to help draw independent operators from throughout Central Ohio to downtown.  Interest in downtown continues to grow as does the demand for retail downtown.  And CCSID will continue to help suppliers find the right space downtown to meet the demand. 

“We lost those retail chains,” added Ricksecker, “and they are not coming back.  But independent retailers will be the source of retail in the coming years.  And thanks to the efforts of entrepreneurial folks like Mark Ballard and Tom Finney of Sugardaddy’s, Don Steele of Plantain Café and Brett Ruland of Spoonful, the future of retail is looking brighter.”

WHAT’S ON THE MENU TONIGHT?

The Menus served up a feast of entertainment during Downtown LIVE last week on the patio at Darbys, but not before Francisco Roja whet the appetite of all the people ready to kick off the weekend early at the annual concert series.

In between appetizers and frosty beverages, players from the Capitol Square Kickball League sauntered over from the “People’s Lawn” to kick back before they kicked butt on the field.  By the way, there’s still time to get a team together for the second course of kickball (registration closes on July 23).

Check out the video below to see for yourself what Capitol Square looks like on Thursday nights during the summer, and thanks go out to The Hyatt and WCBE 90.5 for their generous support.

Untitled from Downtown Columbus on Vimeo.

LIVE FROM COLUMBUS…

It’s Thursday night!  That’s right, the Downtown LIVE summer concert series returns this week with the unparalleled sounds of Conspiracy.  Head to the Darbys Patio for happy hour starting at 4:30 p.m., enjoy opening tunes from Matt Munhall from 5 to 6 p.m., and then give a shout out to Rodney as Conspiracy takes the stage until 9 p.m.

Ever since Thursday night became the unofficial start of the weekend, revelers have been able to enjoy free outdoor concerts to celebrate a warm summer’s night downtown.  If you want to date yourself, admit that you used to hit Rally in the Alley.  Earlier this decade, the Rally was revitalized as Party on State.  And for the past few years the revamped Downtown Live has offered a great way to unwind after work with food and drink specials and the best in local and regional bands.

This year’s line-up offers something for every musical taste.  Each week a new band will hit the stage, including favorites such as The Menus, Reaganomics and Red Wanting Blue.  You’ll also get to know a variety of opening acts, including Muhnall, Alex White and Francisco Rojas.  While the tunes change weekly, the schedule stays the same (4:30 – 9 p.m.).  So mark your calendars and plan to be a regular, this week through August 26.

Downtown LIVE also provides the soundtrack for the Capitol Square Kickball League.  Players can kick butt during their games and then head over for some sustenance, be it liquid or solid, and a trip or two around the dance floor.  (If you haven’t registered to play kickball, you’re not too late.  Registration closes July 16, for Session II).

Summer’s here and the time is right for hot tunes and cold drinks downtown.  We’ll see you at the Rally… the Party… at Downtown LIVE this and every Thursday night!

For a complete band line-up, click here.

ARE YOU STRONGER THAN A SIXTH GRADER?

It’s that time again: downtown’s kickball league is just getting fired up.  Are you going to stand on the sidelines this year, wishing you had run with the ball?

Or, are you going to get down with downtown and PLAY BALL?

Honest, you don’t even need to actually “run with the ball” by corralling a team of eight members for Capitol Square Kickball.  Our crew can help any player find teammates to join.  This sport is fun, it’s healthy and it’s addictive.  And kickball is here, NOW.

Not a jock?  No worries, this game is for everyone.  Misti Crane has been on board since the beginning with the Columbus Dispatch team, the Fishwrappers.  She’s got a great gift for explaining the nature of the league.  Crane says, “When they started up the kickball, a couple of us figured, ‘Why not?  If sixth graders can do it, so can we.’”

Crane continues, “That said, I’m sure sixth graders might clobber us on any given day, but we have a good time.  It also happens to be a fine excuse to have a couple cold ones with some friends after work.”

Speaking of sixth graders, the rules for Capitol Square Kickball are the same game rules you remember from grammar school:  there are some common-sense provisions for kicking and running, and provisions for something called by the technical term “bouncies.”

All of the rules are posted here, and it’s the job of head referee Matt Maynard to make sure everything runs fairly.  The ref’s biggest worry?  Maynard says, “We go through fifty or more balls a season, and lose at least one every game.”

The referee explains, “Whether it gets stuck in a tree, explodes on contact, or gets run over by a COTA bus (the most common type of loss) – I’m there to make sure that the fun never stops and that there is always a bright red ten-inch kickball to be played with.”

The league is filling up fast, so get on the ball and get on board!  You can find the details about registration and game dates here.

The deadline is May 20, 2010.

Capital Crossroads Summer Programming: Capitol Square Kickball League

When the weather warms up, Capital Crossroads Special Improvement District  pulls out all the stops to make downtown the place to be.  The Capitol Square Kickball League returned to the Statehouse Lawn for its sixth season this June.  Registration is open to downtown workers and residents, who put together co-ed teams which compete for bragging rights and a spot in a playoff game with a rival league in the Arena District.  Capital Crossroads coordinates the League, handles registration, secures permits and performs promotional duties.  The Athletic Club of Columbus then operates the League once play begins, coordinating schedules and providing officials.

Since its inception, the League has grown from 12 teams to 32.  Last year, play was scheduled for two nights per week to accommodate the numbers.  Unfortunately, the two-night solution resulted in damage to the “People’s Lawn.”  This year the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board asked Capital Crossroads to return to one night of play.  In order to keep up with interest, the decision was made to run two sessions – June/July and August/September, with play set for Thursday night.  This means more people can play, with less damage to the Statehouse lawn.

“From our standpoint, it’s easier to have one night of programming,” said Kacey Campbell, Promotions Coordinator for Capital Crossroads.  “The compromise has worked out great, and we’re looking forward to having a second session later this summer.”

Registration remains open for Session II until July 27; interested teams should visit downtowncolumbus.com for more information and to register.  You’ll also find the box score there, which Campbell updates weekly.  It looks like Kick ACC is the team to watch, with the Village Idiots bringing up the rear.