2006-2007 Work Plan

Goal:  Open and maintain lines of communication within the merchant community, and between the merchant community and the other members of the Downtown Newark Partnership (City, University and Citizenry).  

Objectives: 

1.                  Hold an Open Business Forum for all business owners to present what the Merchants Committee and the DNP have been working on (since the last forum) and to hear what businesses have to say about what should be done to enhance downtown, help your business, and improve the business district as a whole.

2.                  Maintain the block captain system using the members of the Merchants' Committee to ensure that information on events, promotions, activities and other topics of importance is provided to every business in downtown Newark in a timely fashion.

3.                  Continue to provide an opportunity for any Newark business to raise issues of concern for Merchant Committee discussion at every Committee Meeting.

4.                  Develop and distribute a Welcome Packet for new businesses providing information on City ordinances, upcoming events, the Downtown Newark Partnership and other topics of importance.

5.                  Develop and implement a plan to create an annual events wall calendar for distribution to all downtown businesses, including Parks & Recreation Programs as well as downtown events for distribution.  Task includes finding sponsors to cover the costs.

6.                  Provide Merchants' Committee representation at Downtown Newark Partnership Board meetings and working committee meetings, as appropriate.

 

Goal:  Establish programs, publications and events that will make Downtown Newark a destination location for the entire family. 

Objectives: 

1.  Promote merchant participation in the full calendar of existing community and special events, and assist the Events Committee, UD and the City in the development and implementation of new special events to bring families to Newark including, but not limited to:

a.       Newark Nite – June 3, 2006

b.      Food & Brew 2 – July 15, 2006, including the Hops & Shops Sidewalk Sale

c.       Newark’s Auto-Fest – An Awesome Auto Affair – August 5 & 6, 2006

d.      Newark Film Festival – September 7 – 10, 2006

e.       Community Day/UD Freshman Parents Weekend – September 17, 2006

f.       Taste of Newark – October 8, 2006

g.      Halloween Parade and Trick or Treat Main Street – October 29, 2006

h.      Expanded Holiday Promotions – November/December, 2006

i.        Newark’s Wine & Dine Downtown – March 31, 2007, including Register to Win Contest.

2.      Research the possibility of creating more retail based events

3.       Continue the Downtown Newark Gift Certificate Program, including advertising it and working with merchants to expand the number of establishments accepting them.  Work with City to allow on-line credit card purchases of same.

4.      Develop an advertising program to promote downtown Newark as a destination.  Consider print, radio, billboards and cable commercials in plan development.

 

Goal:  Advocate the viewpoints and concerns of merchants to the City, State and the University. 

1.      Continue to provide a forum for merchant discussion of issues, including but not limited to: 

a.       Provide an opportunity for any Newark business to raise issues of concern for Merchant Committee discussion at every Committee Meeting.

b.      Provide merchants with information on issues that may be of concern to them proposed on the City, State and University levels.

c.       Report all merchant concerns to the Downtown Newark Partnership Board.

d.      Represent the merchant community at public meetings where issues of concern are addressed on the City and State levels.