Brooks destination presentation offers look into recent trends

by Richard Uhlhorn

It was a dismal turnout on Wednesday evening at Campbell’s Resort for Roger Brooks presentation on the 20 Ingredients of an Outstanding Downtown. An estimated 13 people joined the presentation, which by the way, was a fascination two hours of what makes people want to visit a downtown area.

Brooks used the power of photographs to illustrate towns and communities that have transformed their downtown areas into vibrant and exciting places to not only visit, but to enjoy.

Brooks has been helping transform communities in the United States, Canada and around the world for a number of years.

Trends:

“Trends are changing,” said Brooks. “The GenXs and Millennials are waiting until their 30s and 40s to have kids.” He added that fathers are now spending twice as much time with their kids than ever before.. “Families and individuals are spending $130 to $140 a year on Amazon Prime and dinner has been shoved to 7 to 7:30 p.m. In Western Europe, people don’t eat until 9 p.m., but here restaurants close a 8 p.m.”

“That’s not a good sign,” Brooks said. He added that statistically 70 % of all retail sales take place after 6 p.m. “The big question is, ‘Are you open?’ “

He illustrated the retail stores staying open later with a small 600 resident community near Zion National Park that has retail sales and spending in Utah by staying open until 10 p.m. “People spend their nights where there are things to do after 6 p.m.” He also stated that 80 % of retail sales are by women.

Brooks also said that the average visitor spends 14 hours a day out and about on vacation. “What else do you have for me to do while I’m here.”

“We are moving to a European standard,” said Brooks. GenXers are in Europe backpacking and say, ‘We want to do what they are doing over there!’ “

“There are 2.5 million people living in RVs fulltime,” added Brooks. “The renaissance has begun.”

Transformations:

Similar to what the Historic Downtown Chelan Association’s revitalization project is trying accomplish, Brooks said many communities are transforming their downtown areas to welcoming areas for both residents and visitors alike. “Visitors go where the locals hang out,” Brooks said. “The locals ask, ‘Where do we go after work and on the weekends?’ “

Some communities are turning parking lots into plazas, street corners into micro parks with seating, water features, and outdoor seating and dining. “Downtown will be critical to your success. People are Goggling Lake Chelan,” he stated. Brooks added that Walla Walla has transformed onto the world stage by being one of the top rated wine areas.

“You don’t need more Strategic Plans…instead you need Action Plans. Don’t let local politics kill it,” said Brooks. He said downtown areas need 10 food outlets with over half of them staying open past 6 p.m.

He also said the downtown core needs an Anchor Tenant and that all retail outlets need to stay open past 8 p.m. He talked about ‘Neighborhood Retail’ which Chelan is seeing happen up Woodin Avenue with new restaurant outlets and a new Brewery being built.

“You need a Community Living Room,” said Brooks.

Parking issues still plague downtown Chelan and Brooks said that two-hour parking dramatically reduces your visitor’s spending. Easy to find and clean restrooms are another necessity.

“Gateways to the town create a sense of belonging,” said Brooks. Entering Chelan on the old Woodin Avenue Bridge is a nice gateway, but coming in on hwy. 97 from the east is pretty industrial until you get to a point where you can see downtown back dropped by the lake.

Brooks is all for widening sidewalks in the downtown core to let outdoor seating. “It would bring your downtown to life,” he said.

Good signage is also important for visitors.

Towns are moving away from the ‘Good Ole Boys’ network Brooks stated. “You need a development plan.”

It was an interesting presentation and the images from Brooks work and travels gave the viewer the potential of what could happen downtown. The HDCA and its consultant is working towards that development plan which will be in front of Chelan City Council at its October 24 City Council meeting.