Next Steps for Downtown is a path leading to solutions for downtown areas. In 30 days, communities will receive a Downtown Solutions Toolkit that will include an assessment of what is and is not working downtown, action strategies for positive change, best practices, and worksheets for prioritizing and taking action.

1. Ideas and solutions for your downtown in 30 days

2. NEXTSTEPS for downtown™is a path to ideas and solutions

3. An award-winning community planning firm with a 20-year track record of quality will conduct an intensive assessmentof your downtown

4. We will walk throughout downtown and listen to merchants, property owners, residents, and officials

5. The team considers how the following affect the quality of downtown: Signage:How are businesses communicating to the public? Street Lighting:Is the downtown well-lit, safe and appealing?

6. Window Displays:What are shoppers’ first impressions of downtown businesses? Connectivity: How are neighborhoods connected to downtown? Downtown Sidewalks: What is the quality of sidewalks?

7. Streetscape Continuity: How does the streetscape enhance or deter pedestrian movement? Maintenance of the Public Realm: How well-maintained are public spaces?

9. Parking

10. Buildings

11. Circulation

12. Signs

13. Land UseSample Table of Contents

15. What is Not WorkingSample Streetscape Assessment Page

16. The final product is a Downtown Solutions KitIt links many strategies to downtown “Best Practices” so that one community can learn from the successes of others

17. The recommendationsare included on an interactive disk that features: 1) helpful images & graphics, 2)best practices reference sheets, & 3) links to other resources

18. Also included is a spreadsheet with action strategies so the community can set priorities and continue down the path to a healthy, vibrant downtown

19. The product is delivered approximately 30 days from the date of the team’s site visit

20. For more information visit www.nextstepsfordowntown.comor call 248-423-1776