leading the way downtown

LYNCH’S LANDING
2011 ANNUAL REPORT
L E A D I N G T H E WAY D O W N TO W N
letter from the
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Main Street is a national movement that has spanned three
decades and taken root in more than 2,000 communities—
a movement that has spurred more than $51 billion in
reinvestment in traditional commercial districts, galvanized
thousands of volunteers, and changed the way people view
preservation. We are proud to be part of a national network
of coordinating programs working to restore downtown historic districts across the country.
Lynch’s Landing has always advocated and facilitated
change in downtown Lynchburg, and it shows. We have
helped to foster a climate of investment through support for
businesses and property owners and marketing and event
strategies that bring people to the district. This year the
Friday Cheers concert series celebrated its 19th anniversary, raising money for continued investment in downtown
revitalization and to support downtown nonprofit organizations. We again successfully partnered with six local
colleges to produce the 3rd annual Get!Downtown street
festival, bringing nearly 10,000 college students and community members to Main Street to hear live music, enjoy
street performers and shop with more than 120 vendors.
For years, our events have brought people downtown, but
we’re not just about entertainment. In fact, our events serve
an even greater purpose by providing funding for our own
programs that revitalize downtown Lynchburg, including:
• Retail events such as the Sidewalk Sale, two Diva Crawls
and other shopping campaigns to highlight and support
downtown restaurants and retailers
• Providing comprehensive cooperative advertising opportunities for merchants
• Hosting a Downtown Block Party to engage a growing
number of residents in the work of revitalization
• Welcoming a retail and restaurant expert for a seminar
and eight one-on-one visits with business owners
Our downtown is the heart and soul of our community. Each
year, with your support, Lynch’s Landing works to save our
historic buildings, revive the commercial core, strengthen
businesses and support Downtown as a vital center for
community life in Lynchburg.
Anna Bentson, Executive Director
MISSION
Identify opportunities and
develop resources that position
and sustain downtown and the
riverfront as a vital economic,
cultural, historic,
recreational and residential
center for our community.
VISION
Create a downtown
environment where
people, businesses,
organizations and events
can be successful.
A DOWNTOWN FOR ALL SEASONS
Lynch’s Landing hosts a variety of events to encourage “feet on the street”
in Downtown Lynchburg:
• Spring kicked off in high-gear (and high heels) for the Spring Diva Crawl,
which brought more than 300 women shoppers, scheduled just in time
for Mother’s Day. The event showcased a number of downtown merchants who kept their doors open late for this special “Girls’ Night Out.”
2011 MAIN STREET AWARDS
Lynch’s Landing’s Annual Meeting recognizes outstanding contributions
to Lynchburg’s downtown revitalization efforts. This year, our annual
awards were modeled on the Main Street Four Point Approach,
recognizing excellence in Organization, Promotion, Design and
Economic Restructuring.
• The summer season downtown is all about Friday Cheers, which
attracted nearly 17,000 visitors to the historic riverfront. The “Party with
a Purpose” also enabled Lynch’s Landing to give back to downtown area
non-profit organizations.
THE INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES AWARD recognizes an initiative or
partnership by a group of people or organizations to work together to
accomplish a cooperative goal that benefits downtown Lynchburg. The
2011 award was presented to the Arts & Culture Block for their collaborative and creative efforts to highlight performing, cultural and visual arts
organizations at Get!Downtown.
• We moved into the fall season by partnering with the Lynchburg Office
of Economic Development and Virginia Main Street to offer a Small
Town and Merchant Program workshop with retail expert Marc Willson.
Get!Downtown also brought nearly 10,000 people downtown for live
music, street performances, and to check out more than 120 vendors
lining Main Street.
THE GET!DOWNTOWN AWARD recognizes a marketing initiative or
promotional event that advances the image of downtown and attracts
people. The 2011 award was presented to July-Gemini Entertainment for
production of the viral video, “Get Downtown,” featuring Tony Camm and
the Downtown Merchants.
• The second Diva Crawl kicked off the holiday shopping season with
more than 500 divas descending upon downtown! The signature winter
event, Holiday Traditions, celebrates historic Downtown Lynchburg with
horse-drawn carriage rides, the Mistletoe Market, photos with The
Grinch and Santa, and fun for the entire family.
THE GOOD WORKS AWARD recognizes a business or program that
strengthens our community’s existing economic assets while diversifying
the economic base. The 2011 award was presented to Rise Up Climbing
for its unique use of an unusual downtown space and its role in drawing
collegiate and regional patrons to downtown.
FOUR-POINT APPROACH
National Main Street is a program sponsored through the National
Trust for Historic Preservation. The Four-Point Approach is a comprehensive strategy for revitalizing downtown and neighborhood business
districts. Lynch’s Landing was accepted into the Virginia Main Street
program in 2000 and our efforts were recognized in 2006 when we
received the Great American Main Street Award. Each year, Lynch’s
Landing committees develop a work plan, creating action items in
each of these areas of concentration.
1
ORGANIZATION
Establishing consensus and cooperation by building
effective partnerships among all downtown stakeholders
2
DESIGN
Enhancing the unique visual quality of downtown by
addressing all design elements to create an appealing
environment that works for today’s needs
3
PROMOTIONS
Creating and marketing a positive image based on the
unique attributes of the downtown district and attracting
people to it
4
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING
Strengthening downtown’s existing economic assets and
fulfilling its broadest market potential
THE SHINING STAR AWARD recognizes a project that gets our downtown into top physical shape while creating a safe, inviting environment for
shoppers, workers, and visitors. The 2011 award was presented to Opera
on the James for its purchase and renovation of a building and relocation
to downtown.
THE GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD recognizes an organization or business
outside of the downtown district that works closely with Lynch’s Landing
and/or demonstrates commitment to Lynchburg’s downtown revitalization
efforts. The 2011 award was presented to Randolph College for its leadership among its peers in planning, financially supporting and attending the
Get!Downtown event.
THE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD recognizes an individual for
their commitment to Lynch’s Landing and our initiatives. The 2011 award
was presented to Lynda Gentry for her long service to Lynch’s Landing as
a Friday Cheers volunteer.
THE MARGARET BURNETTE AWARD recognizes an individual for his/
her long-term commitment to Lynchburg’s downtown revitalization efforts
and by contributing to this initiative in a leadership role with significant
results. The 2011 award was presented to Lynn Cunningham for her
several roles in designing, promoting and investing in many cornerstone
downtown revitalized buildings.
JOIN US IN LEADING THE WAY
DOWNTOWN
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Ms. Jackie Wilkes,
Campbell Insurance
Vice President
Mr. Andrew Pearson, Petty,
Livingston, Dawson & Richard
Secretary
Ms. Jodi Gillette, Lynchburg City
School Education Foundation
Treasurer
Ms. Peggy Hobbs,
AREVA
City Liaison
Mr. Kent White, City of Lynchburg
Community Development
*NATIONALLY
*ACROSS
VIRGINIA
$51.1
BILLION
REINVESTED
436,909 NET
GAIN IN JOBS
$51.1 Billion reinvested in
physical improvements from
public and private sources
4,926 Main Street businesses
were created, retained and
extended
Past President
Mr. Ed McCann, Lynchburg
Redevelopment & Housing Authority
$638,471,986
IN 2009
Mr. Jeff Taylor, Appomattox County
Economic Development
Ms. Tina Moon,
WSET
Ms. Hermina Hendricks,
Randolph College
Mr. Emmett Lifsey, Calloway,
Johnson, Moore & West, Architects
Mr. Tony Camm,
Holiday Inn
Mr. Chris McSwain,
Bluffwalk Center
Mr. Rodney Taylor,
Market at Main
Private investments in 2009 alone
amounted to $638,471,986
HERE IN
LYNCHBURG
$20 MILLION
IN PROJECTS
205%
INCREASE
Downtown businesses
have increased by 205
percent in ten years
Private developers currently
planning more than $20 million in
downtown residential projects
Mr. Mike Minnick,
Genworth Financial
Ms. Deborah Keeling,
Accents Flags & Gifts
Staff
Ms. Anna Bentson,
Executive Director
Ms. Susan Landis,
Office Administrator
*National Trust Main Street Center:
cumulative statistics gathered from 1980
to December 31, 2010 for all designated
Main Street communities nationwide.
*Information taken from the Virginia
Main Street, 2010 Annual Report
Ms. Marjette Upshur, City of
Lynchburg Office of Economic
Development
Mr. Dave Poole,
Depot Grille
4,926
CREATED
AMERICA’S ECONOMIC REDEVELOPMENT
STARTS ON MAIN STREET!
Lynch’s Landing: Lynchburg’s Leader for
Downtown Revitalization
1023 Commerce Street
(434) 528-3950
www.downtownlynchburg.com
Lynchburg, VA 24504
GET INVOLVED! CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN DOWNTOWN LYNCHBURG.