Craig – Thanks for providing the
post so that we can think about the process and for those of us not on the
Committee allow some additional public input into the broader discussion.
From my perspective
The downtown plan must
- Provide first and foremost jobs
both during the construction or development process but more important full
time jobs that pay at least 50 percent higher than the minimum wage and
that are sustainable.
- Present a plan that will
provide an opportunity for investment by small business owners which allow
them to, pay themselves a return on their investment, compensation with
health care benefits for themselves and their employees.
- Be the economic driving force using
private capital based on a business analysis that it makes sense for them to
invest and a reason to put capital at risk.
- Look at government funding be
they grants, Federal, State, Port Authority etc to be a last resort and
should past the test of good policy especially if the above numbers 1-2 do
not provide economic benefits to the people who live in Winona or that
the plan is not supported by private capital investment.
I have
seen many well intended projects from well intended people in the form of pubic
sport arenas, theaters for the arts, museums which have become a significant drain
on local taxes because taxes are needed to keep them operating and maintained.�
While they look great, when new, the gifts become Trojan horses.� Visioning is
important and critical but without someone also asking the question - “If
the plan is so good and the project so neat, then why won’t private money
step forward to make it happen?”� If the ideas developed are solid and
saleable to private investors then the odds of long term success are greatly
increased.
Dubuque had some good fundamental ideas but it took the River Boat
Gambling to make it work well and become successful.� Duluth on the other hand is
still trying to find their way after major public investments and limited success.
Core Ideology must include
an economic plan and focus for the investment of private or public funds and
those plans need to provide the foundation and be specific, detailed, public
and guiding principals whenever the use of public funds are requested or used. ���
Paul
Double
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf
Of Craig Brooks
Sent: Monday, March
14, 2005 8:11 AM
�
I do not know who all is on this Committee (I'm Not) but did happen
upon this document pasted in below. Anyone with an interest in this may
want to contact City Council Members, the Mayor or City Planning Staff.
******************************************
To:� Downtown Revitalization Committee
RE:� Visioning discussions
Below please find some notes that will help with our discussion on
Wednesday, March 16th, concerning our visioning process for the
downtown.� I will facilitate a discussion that will obtain input from all on
core values and objectives, then allow us to rate their priority level.� The
following session will focus on turning this information into a tangible
visioning product with overall objectives and potential slogan ideas generated.
The first thing we plan to identify is our core ideology, which is a clear list of core values or guiding principles, and a
clearly defined core purpose.� In
order to make sure we are on the same page, I beg your indulgence as I ramble
on a bit about what this means.�
Large organizations have clearly stated ideology.� When you think of
Disney, you think of imagination and wholesome values (their core values) and
their theme—“to make others happy” (their core purpose).�
3M—commitment to innovation, and “solving problems
innovatively”.� Nike—the unwritten challenge to literally crush the
competition.�
Core ideology is something that is long-lasting; it doesn’t
change 25, 50, or 100 years down the road no matter who is leading or what the
present fad.� It is what defines the character or “soul” of an
organization or place.� Ideology delineates the very deepest reasons that
stimulates and attracts people to the forefront of the cause.� I see this piece
as the most essential thing we can identify as a group—what is important
to us in downtown Winona?� What values and principles would we as
a group embrace no matter what occurs?�� We will work to come up with a short
list of core values or guiding principles that define downtown Winona and
hopefully a purpose for doing so.
The second element is
creating an envisioned future.��
This is a combination of two things.� The first part is the establishment of a
10-30 year audacious goal—something concrete and visible, but potentially
outrageous and a bit unreachable.� You could liken this to climbing
Everest—a huge, daunting challenge—nevertheless a challenge that
can be envisioned as a possibility.� Some call this a BHAG (pronounced Bee-hag) and is short for
Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal.� It is set to stimulate progress and create unity
of effort toward the finish line.� What is it we want Winona to
be known for 10 to 30 years down the road?� Let’s dream about this BHAG a
bit as a group.� This is followed by the creation of a vivid description of what Winona will look
like if we reach that BHAG.�
In creating this
“envisioned future”, we don’t want to confuse it with the
core ideology or purpose.� The purpose is the reason the organization exists,
and never is completed, but a BHAG and a vision is something that can be
reached, and when reached becomes re-envisioned and perpetuated again.
With all of that in mind,
please come to the meeting on the 16th with the following:
- A list of things you
and your constituents feel should be the core values or guiding principles
we adhere to as we steer the development of downtown Winona
- Some thoughts as to
what you/they think the core purpose of the revitalization plan should be
At the following meeting,
we will attempt to solidify these items and move on to the visioning process.�
By then you will need to come prepared to discuss:
- What the potential
could look like in Winona—the BHAG of sorts
- Descriptive
sentences or words that would support that BHAG
- This hopefully, once
formed, will then lead us to be able to have the last piece of the
discussion, which would develop a slogan that supports that vision and
communicates to the public in general what Winona is all
about.
<(���)>
Craig
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
