ANNUAL REPORT

ANNUAL
2014
REPORT
OUR MISSION
The Erie Downtown Partnership is a non-profit membership organization
created to revitalize downtown by improving its image, business climate,
physical environment, and design. Based on the National Main Street Model,
the Partnership—one of more than 800 improvement districts in the United
States—addresses three specific downtown concerns: Economic Restructuring,
Design, and Special Events.
OUR HISTORY
Positive change requires collective action. That principle motivated the 2004
creation of the Downtown Improvement District by more than 500 merchants,
property owners, businesses, and organizations dedicated to the renewal of
Erie’s historic and economically vital central business district. Now known as
the Erie Downtown Partnership, the organization is an agent of change in the
area bounded by Presque Isle Bay to the north, the 14th Street railway bridge
to the south, and stretching from Sassafras to Holland Streets. Stakeholders
within this area have been empowered to determine effective methods—in
services provided, initiatives begun, and projects to be carried out—to increase
downtown vibrancy.
Property owners within the designated area contribute to the organization
according to an assessment formula based on the value of land and buildings,
all with the coherent and single-minded goal of making downtown Erie a
better place to live, work, visit, shop, learn, play, and do business. In addition
to supporting property owners and helping to grow our business community,
the Erie Downtown Partnership assists in ensuring that our downtown is clean,
attractive, and welcoming to our guests.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIRMAN DAVID KATOVICH
Vice President of Underwriting
& Claims, Erie Insurance Group
VICE PRESIDENT DAVID SHERMAN
Owner, Isaac Baker Menswear
SHAWNTA PULLIAM
Executive Director, Nurturing Hearts
RAY MASSING
Executive Director, Erie Parking Authority
RAY MOLUSKI
TREASURER CHUCK SCALISE
President and CEO, H.A.N.D.S.
Vice President, General Services,
UPMC Hamot Medical Center
SECRETARY KEITH TAYLOR, PH.D.
THOMAS P. “TIPPY” DWORZANSKI
President, Gannon University
(Representative: Erika Ramalho)
Owner Park Place/Sherlock’s
JOSEPH SINNOTT, ESQ.
Owner, Calamari’s Squid Row
Mayor, City of Erie
(Representative: Brenda Sandberg/Kim Green)
TIM WACHTER, ESQ.
Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett
ALMITRA CLERKIN
Executive Director, Erie Playhouse
MARCI HONARD
GEORGE WILLIS, P.E.
Senior Vice President, Urban Engineers
OUR STAFF
Chief Executive Officer
Assistant Director
Accountant
JOHN BUCHNA
CHRISTINA KATEN
KELLY HILLING
Maintenance Technician
GARY GEISLER
Maintenance Technician
DAVID LITTLE
MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Creating opportunities for economic growth and revitalization is a challenging
and fulfilling task here at the Erie Downtown Partnership. Working with
the public and private sector to benefit downtown Erie has been especially
rewarding this past year as we celebrated a decade of progress.
23%
Administrative
22%
en
sm
es
ass
No
Visible improvements abound everywhere we look—from tree plantings and new
façades on storefronts to once empty buildings now filled with local business.
The financial stability and growth that we strive to promote for our members
must be anchored in tangible gains. Our increased marketing efforts share
members’ accomplishments across our new website and social media tools.
Making downtown Erie attractive to new businesses and encouraging renovation
and reuse of existing buildings are creating a more inviting, enjoyable, and
interesting place to live, work, and play.
Core Services
FINANCIALS
55%
t
do
2014
Yet another record year of charitable giving was achieved through our Block
Party events. 272 volunteers worked more than 1,548 hours to help raise a total
of $50,691 for nine local charities. This was a 20% increase from last year!
As our new Master Plan takes shape through public interaction and the
continued dedication of our Board and staff, we will be able to further hone
our focus and make even more powerful strides to benefit our members and
community in the next decade.
lla
rs
go
to r
unni
ng events.
Program Expenses
Ten years of hard work,
ten years of investments made.
Grant Monies Awarded
$348,674
Streetscape Improvements
$259,123
Façade Improvements
$95,000
Equipment for our Clean & Green
$261,752
*The Clean & Green Programs are our Core Programming
NEW BUSINESSES
A family tradition of fine wine through six generations
IMPROMTU
GIFT SHOP
TEN YEARS OF GROWTH
In the ten years since the Erie Downtown Partnership took shape, we have
helped create substantive change for the better. From building renovations,
300% increased refuse collections to keep our streets cleaner, more than
$300,000 in grants for façades, banners, street signs, tree planting, and lighting,
to economic revitalization through our events, and detailed planning for the
future, we are effecting positive transformation in a tangible way.
The economic impact that our events have on local businesses, increased
community confidence in downtown, and employment is significant, as is our
ongoing effort to make downtown attractive to more new businesses. Our 75+
events not only boost revenue at bars, restaurants, retailers, and hotels, they
have brought more than 250,000 people to downtown Erie and helped raise
nearly $200,000 for local charities. These funds allow the charities to administer
programming that often creates staff positions, a need for services, and a
need for supplies, which further expands local economic growth.
Though we have accomplished a great deal in ten years, we remain focused on
shaping the future. Our Master Plan concentrates specifically on revitalization,
promotion of economic opportunity for new and existing businesses, growth of
a central retail area to attract customers, accessibility through foot traffic and
transportation, and continued financial support of local businesses. It will do this
through dedicated grants writing and attainment, cooperative marketing efforts
and other programs to improve security, increase residential living, and improve
the overall experience of being in downtown Erie.
BY THE NUMBERS 2004-2014
100
Block Parties*
1 Million+
People Brought into Downtown
through Block Parties, Bike Nights and Downtown d’Lights*
366
Trees Planted*
29
Façades Improved
70
Blocks Served
98
Banners Hung
120
Trash Cans
Purchased and Maintained*
* Numbers based on estimated totals
2014 MEMBERS
1031 State Street, LLC
1201 Kitchen
12th & State, LLC
1839 Realty
715 Investors
Advanced Window’s & Siding
Al Deluca’s News & Variety Shop
Altair Real Estate Management
Amelia’s
American Surplus
Anchor Marine, Ltd.
Angelo’s Beauty Supply
Arby’s
Asian & Sushi Cuisine
Attorneys Amoriello, Schroeder
and Mansmann Avalon Hotel
Bayfront Gallery
Bayfront Grille
Bayside Pharmacy
Benjamin’s
Bertrand’s Bistro
Blasco Library
Boardwalk Complex
Boston Store
Bourbon Barrel
Brewerie at Union Station
Brightstar Healthcare
Calamari’s Squid Row
Cappabianca Travel
Casablanca Hookah Lounge
Casablanca Sandwich Express
Catfish Kitchen
Cathedral Center
Cathedral of St. Paul
CATV
Charisma Salon
Cherish Boutique
Chido’s Cleaners
Citizen’s Bank
City of Erie
Cleckley’s Barber Shop
Cloud 9 Wine Bar & Tapas
Community Health Net
Connoisseur Media
Conrail Erie Federal Credit Union
Cove
Crowner Architects
D’ Denniston Gallery of Fine Art
Dafmark Dance Theartre
Dewy’s
Docksider’s
Dollar General
Dominick’s Eatery
Downtown Deli
Early Connections
El Toro Loco
Elderkin Law Firm
Epic Web Studios
Erie Ale House
Erie Art Museum
Erie Arts & Culture
Erie BayHawks
Lifeworks Erie
Erie City Mission
Erie Club
Erie Community Credit Union
Erie Community Foundation
Erie County Convention Center Authority
Erie County Historical Society
Erie County Mental Health
Erie County Recycling Program
Erie Explosion
Erie Federal Credit Union
Erie General Tire
Erie Instant Print
Erie Insurance
Erie Maritime Museum
Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority
Erie Otters
Erie Parking Authority
Erie Philharmonic
Erie Playhouse
Erie Port Authority
Erie Seawolves
Erie Summer Festival of the Arts
ERIEBANK
ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum
Fainstein Photography
Family Dollar
Fast Signs
First Amendment Tees
First National Bank
First United Methodist Church
Fisher Jewelers
Flagship Niagara League
Franco’s Café
Fred’s Furniture
Gannon Small Business Development Center
Gannon University
GECAC
Gem City Elks
George Carroll House
Gigliotti’s
Glass Block Specialties by Bruno
Glass Growers Gallery
Golf Revolution
Grace Fellowship Church
Great Lakes Institute of Technology
Griswold Enterprises
H.A.N.D.S
Hagan Business Machines
Happy Garden
Harborview Minature Golf
Hardinger & Clement Opticians
Headlund Glass
Health South
Heritage Winery Downtown
Hookah Café
Hungry Howie’s Pizza
Impromtu Gift Shop
Initial Broadcasting of Pennslyvania
Isaac Baker Menswear
Jekyll & Hyde’s
Jones School Associates
Jr.’s Last Laugh Comedy Club
Kerr’s Tire Korner
Khao Tai
Kidder Wachter Architecture Firm
Kindercare
Knight’s Club
Knox, McLaughlin, Gornall & Sennett
Lake Erie Ballet
Lakeshore Towing Services
Last Illusions Hair & Make Up
Lavery Brewing
Legacy Financial
Logistics Plus
Lovell Place
Lund Boat Works
Macdonald Law Offices
Madelene’s Beauty Salon
Magic Cookie Co.
Maritime Museum
Marquette Savings Bank
Mason Jars Company
Masonic Temple
McCarthy, Martone & Peasley
McCarty Printing
McCoy’s Barrelhouse & Grill
McDonald’s
Metropolitan Dance Club
Michael’s Hair Salon
Modern Adult
Modern Dental
Modern Tool Reality
Molly Brannigan’s
Monacella Massage
National Fuel
Niagara Realty, LLC
Northwest Savings Bank
Nurturing Hearts
Palace Business Center
Peanut Shoppe
Penn Shore Winery
Pero Realty
Pfeffer Insurance Agency
Plaza 900
Plymouth Tavern
PNC Bank
Potter Silk Screen
Presque Isle Angler Dockside
Preservation Erie
Professional Development Associates
Pufferbelly Restaurant
Quantum Balance Erie
Ralph Miller Jewelers
Red Door School Uniforms
Renaissance Center
Richford Arms
Rite Aide Pharmacy
Rose Beauty
Rose Garden Café
Rum Runner’s
Russo’s Barber Shop
Samir’s Market
Sanners Office Supply
Schuster Gallery
Scully’s Pub
Sesler & Sesler
Shawnee Optical & Kidspecs
Shell Gas Station
Sherlock’s/Park Place
Shooting Star Transportation Systems
Sidewalk Café
Signs by Todd
Skeeters
Sluggers Sports Bar
Smugglers Wharf
St Patrick’s Haven
St. Patrick’s Church
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Standard Square
Starbucks
State Street Law Offices
State Street Market
Steve O’s Pizza
Subway
Sumner Building
Sunoco
Taco Bell
Tickle’s Deli
Turnpike Building
UPMC Hamot
Urban Engineers
Urraro Gallery
Victorian Princess
Viva Wraps & Pitas
Warner Theatre
Wendy’s
Ye Old Sweets
YMCA
SPONSORS
STAKEHOLDERS
PARTNERS
140 East 5th Street • Erie, PA 16507 • 814.455.3743
WWW.ERIEDOWNTOWN.COM
/ErieDowntownPartnership
@ERIDTN
@eriedowntown