Revitalizing a Dying Neighborhood_Historic Warren

Using brand marketing and place‐making to revitalize the l
ki t
it li th
Central City in Warren, Ohio
Revitalizing Ohio's Vacant Properties: Tools & Policies to Transform Communities
Tools & Policies to Transform Communities November 22, 2013
Revitalizing Warren’ss Central City
Revitalizing Warren
Central City
• We can’t fix everything at once
• We have to be smart and We have to be smart and
strategic
Revitalizing Warren’ss Central City
Revitalizing Warren
Central City
• The Central City is strategically important
• We have a plan and we We have a plan and we
have made progress
• We have significant public W h
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support
FAQ
Tonight we will answer the 3 most frequently asked questions about this project.
project
Question #1
Who are you to say what needs to be done?
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?
The residential Central City is the area bounded by the Mahoning River, Atlantic Street, Elm Road and High Street.
Park
Major
j Asset
Asset
Church
Improved
p
8/16/13
Demolition
li i Candidate
C did
Vacant Lot
Park
Major
j Asset
Asset
Church
I
Improved
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Demolition
li i Candidate
C did
Vacant Lot
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The problem
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There are at least 125 There
are at least 125
vacant houses in the Central City.
We want to fill them with
We want to fill them with home owners.
Question #2
Who the hell is going to live there?
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Creating a new brand image
M t lik l t li th ?
Most likely to live there?
M k t
Market our strengths
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Low cost of entry
A DIY mentoring zone
Walkability (2x city average)
Opportunity
Gritty and real
Open spaces and eccentricity
Macro trends
Macro trends
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In 1980 66% of 17‐year‐olds had drivers licenses; today only 47% do
Marriage and birth rates are down
Many more people living alone or in non‐traditional family groups
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This is not suburbia
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One bath
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Small rooms
Old kitchens
Small yard
No garage
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The target audience
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The left brain components
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Strategic partners
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TNPWarren.org
TrumbullCountyLandBank.org
Park
Major
j Asset
Asset
Church
Improved
p
8/16/13
Demolition
li i Candidate
C did
Vacant Lot
Park
Major Asset
Asset
Church
Demolition Candidate
Vacant Lot
D
Demolition
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C d
Code enforcement
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Preservation & renovation
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The four keys.
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Community outreach
Strategic pilot program
Be comprehensive
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Non‐traditional finances
Th i ht b i
The right brain components
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Q ti #3
Question #3
Why don
Why
don’tt you plant you plant
tomatoes?
Why Wildflowers?
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Wholesale gardening Easy to install
Wholesale gardening. Easy to install.
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Inexpensive. Not permanent.
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Low maintenance & environmentally friendly.
Th l k
They look good.
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A i hb h d h
A neighborhood showplace
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And maybe a second
R lf d
Real food
Porter on Porter
Eliminating empty vistas
Wildfl
Wildflower shortcut
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Branding elements/corner strategy
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B di
Branding elements/corner strategy
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B di
Branding elements/corner strategy
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B di
Branding elements/corner strategy
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Wh
Where stone comes from
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More branding elements
Public art: Torii on Vine
Public art: guerilla mural
P i t d L di
Painted Ladies
Fi t
First up: the Info‐porch (before)
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First up: the Info‐porch (after)
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Birdhouse city
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Bicycles: prosperity & utility
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Pl
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Th G d Di i
Place‐making: The Garden District
W
Warren’s Field of Dreams
’ Fi ld f D
If we build it will they come?
Vi l
Viral marketing
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Public relations
YouTube channel
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Signage/information center
Facebook pages
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Events/parties
C bl TV
Cable TV campaign
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SPONSORS AND DONORS
$10,000 +
THE TRUMBULL 100
HUNTINGTON BANK
$5000 +
THE RAYMOND JOHN WEAN FOUNDATION THE PNC BANK FOUNDATION
THE WARREN G. HARDING CLASSES OF 1967, ‘68 & ‘69
$1000 ‐ $5000
$1000
FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF GREGG SNYDER
THE DOMINION FOUNDATION
AVI FOODSYSTEMS
$1000
Diane Sauer Chevrolet, All American Cards & Comics, Horse Shoe Bar, Vlad Pediatrics
Carl W. Hall Funeral Services, The Rotary Club. Family of Garrett Wonders, Friends of Donald Campbell, Friends of Bill Schumacher, The Frank Poulos Family, The Earl Blank Family, Friends of AAUW, Hiram College Alumni, Friends of Tip, Jack, Nelly and Marty S
Sponsors?
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What you can do
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Make your support known: Write Make
your support known: Write
public officials, Tribune
Speak at City Council
Speak at City Council
Join neighborhood association
Donate your time and money
Donate your time and money
Buy a house!
This can be the Warren of 2015