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Assessments are allocated to the following programs which focus on accomplishing the Downtown District’s goals:
Business Development
The Downtown District's Business Development Program works to continue revitalization in downtown Houston through its emphasis on all real estate markets: office, retail, hospitality, residential, entertainment/tourism and new development. Currently, the program's principal focus is office, retail and residential development. The Business Development Program is a joint effort between the Downtown District and Central Houston, Inc., with the Downtown District providing a portion of the program's funding, research, published data and marketing materials.
Planning, Capital Projects & Construction
The PCPC Program concentrates on long range planning, short-term improvement projects and coordination with government agencies and private entities on projects affecting the future of downtown. The PCPC team has helped transform over 67% of all block faces in downtown.
Primary objectives:
- Implement downtown wayfinding and banner programs
- Support Buffalo Bayou improvements
- Manage sidewalk and streetscape improvements
- Transportation planning including circulator service, bus operations and new proposed Inter-model Center
- Planning for on-street parking
- Assist with site analysis for future development in downtown
- Facilitate and communicate construction and subsequent traffic issues in order to ease impact
- Implement The Downtown Development Framework (development plan)
Marketing & Communications
The Marketing & Communications program is responsible for promoting a vibrant and diverse downtown image through advertising, public relations, partnerships, events, community relations and other promotional materials and activities.
Primary objectives:
- Position downtown as the preferred destination to live, work and play through a proactive advertising and branding campaign
- Raise awareness and generate ongoing positive media coverage for downtown and the Downtown District
- Leverage the downtown message by building strong and mutually beneficial marketing alliances with downtown stakeholders, including partnering organizations, businesses and neighborhoods
- Position the Downtown District as the first choice for downtown information by creating effective and useful tools such as the newly re-developed web portal, weekly email blasts and comprehensive marketing materials
- Position downtown as a friendly, easily-accessible, affordable and safe destination, both day and night
Operations
The Operations Program works to ensure that downtown is one of the safest and cleanest neighborhoods in the City. Street teams clean the sidewalks and maintain the landscaping on Main Street; Operations and the Houston Police Department work together to ensure public safety; and homeless issues are also a focus of this program.
Primary objectives:
- Maintain downtown’s sidewalks and streetscapes
- Care for over 1,500 new street trees, flower planters and beds and other landscaping as well as operate the street banner program
- Support the operation of a street lighting system
- Partner in coordinating security efforts with the Houston Police Department and play a central role in emergency response planning and coordination
- Work with downtown businesses and city agencies to coordinate and distribute emergency response information
- Manage the Subscription Curbside Trash Program developed to assist small businesses with their trash removal needs
- Maintain trash receptacles within the boundaries of the Downtown District and determine their placement
- Staff the Downtown District operations center and communications hub
- Remove graffiti
- Maintain daily working relationships with all city departments to ensure prompt problem response
- Monitor and coordinate code and ordinance issues
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