Downtown’s potential eyed

Consultant says core area offers right ingredients

City planning consultant Lani Lott spoke to an audience of about 20 local business owners and residents Friday about downtown planning trends, offering an outsider’s perspective on the potential for development around Third Street.

Lott, of Phoenix, is in town to lead a strategic planning workshop with the City Council today from noon to 4 p.m. at the Wastewater Treatment Plant conference room. The public is welcome.

Her consulting services this weekend fulfill a $2,300 contract with the city.

Lott was optimistic about Crescent City’s prospects, though “it is not easy work and it goes on forever,” she said.

Crescent City has the makings for a destination downtown, she said, such as strong retail stores, walkable blocks, murals, Tsunami Plaza and a sense of history.

“We have to make it easier for tourists to know what’s going on,” she said.

More organization and infrastructure in the downtown area could result in new small businesses, job creation and a boost to the tax base, she said.

Lott encouraged business owners to figure out how they can co-exist with big chain stores by offering a “return to good old-fashioned values,” like personalized customer service and city pride.

She also emphasized embracing technology and social media like Facebook and Twitter.

“I’m hoping every single one of you has a website,” she said, and then asked who there sold products online.

A lone hand raised.

The owner of Del Norte Office Supply, Debbie Stover, said yes, but it’s been hard for her to adjust to Internet sales. She’s served just six e-customers in the past four years.

But her store has something else: a storied history and a real presence. It’s what Lott referred to as an “anchor.”

“You have that sense of place. I just love going to your store,” Evermore Jewelry and Art Gallery owner Eileen Evermore told Stover after the meeting.

Lott repeatedly underscored the importance of small businesses banding together to brand and advertise the area jointly, promote events and research visitor demographics.

Previously, the downtown Business Improvement District (BID) has paid for downtown  marketing, events and beautification projects by collecting fees from business owners. No fees were collected for 2011-2012, though BID still exists.

“If it (BID) goes away, that’s okay,” Lott said, “Some cities have done that. But you’ve got to think about who’s going to fund it.”

“It’s easy to fund plans; it’s hard to look for the dollars to implement them,” she said.

Reach Emily Jo Cureton at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it