HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.20.2006•
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
February 20, 2006
4:45 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Mayor Hurley, Kincaid, Welper, Gunderson, Greenwood, Getty, Cole,
Schmitt.
Moved by Schmitt, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
David Deeds, Chairperson of Economic Restructuring Council for Main Street Waterloo,
reviewed the Downtown Waterloo Market Study Summary Report, as prepared by Downtown
Professionals Network. The Market Study was an opportunity for Main Street to focus mainly
on business development and economics. The benefits of the study include: business
recruitment, marketing and promotions, design and organization. The Marketing Study was
made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The
market areas were defined as the primary trade area and secondary trade area. Waterloo,
Evansdale and Cedar Falls were defined as the primary trade area. The secondary trade area
included Denver, Dike Dunkerton, Greene, Hazleton, Hudson, Janesville, Jessup, Shell Rock,
Waverly and Rowley.
Mr. Deeds reviewed the population, race and ethnicity and income for the primary trade area.
Over 60 attributes were used such as income, source of income, employment, home value and
home type.
Mr. Deed reviewed the Tapestry Report Summary, and the Consumer and Business Survey
developed by the Downtown Professionals Network with input from the Task Force.
Mr. Deeds reviewed charts and graphs explaining results of questions such as percent visiting
downtown for services such to eat, drink and shop; is shopping done mornings, afternoons,
evenings or no preference; frequency of attending events such as sporting, cultural or festival;
how likely to visit downtown restaurant when attending sporting, cultural or festivals; Consumer
Competitive Standing for festivals, safety, service, parking, convenience, entertainment,
attractiveness and variety; what type of new business would you patronize in downtown
Waterloo; what is first thing that should be done to improve downtown Waterloo; sales surpluses
and leakage.
The report indicated business types and merchandise lines that might be candidates for expansion
and recruitment include: food service and drinking establishments; sporting, hobby, book and
music stores; food and beverage stores, bakers, butchers; and furniture and home furnishings.
Mr. Deeds reported over 2/3 of the respondent said they felt safe in the downtown. Downtown
parking was not an issue.
Terry Poe-Buschkamp, Director of Main Street Waterloo, noted that downtown needs to
concentrate on cleanliness and aesthetics and the streetscape project is an important part. We
need to continue to concentrate on downtown improvements, appearance and businesses so
people can walk downtown creating a life style/alternatives.
Mr. Deeds stated that Main Street will continue to build on what is going on and build on what
they have. Main Street wants to be a partner in what is happening downtown as the city
implements the downtown improvements.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Welper, seconded by Schmitt that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:26 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk