PowerPoint Presentation

Confessions of an open streets newbie

Rachel Hollar Bike Walk MaconDavid Moore NewTown Macon

Confession #1Why macon?

Momentum in downtown revitalizationPublic outcry for more mobility options Lack of biking and walking infrastructure

Like many downtowns across the country, Downtown Macon is experiencing a renaissance. Some Macon residents feel isolated due to lack of mobility options. 84% of Macon residents support spending more on walking and biking infrastructure, even if it means spending less on driving infrastructure. 2

Confession #2Partnerships Bike Walk Macon Macon- Bibb County Urban Development Authority Main Street Macon NewTown Macon Bibb County Sheriffs OfficeMacon Bibb County Parks and Beautification

How to delegate responsibilities with an all volunteer planning committee.How to utilize partnerships to extend limited resources for an Open Streets program. 3

Confession #3open streetstoolkit

The Open Streets toolkit was our bible and the map we used to draw our plans for Open Streets Macon. 4

Confession #4Format

Open Streets Macon consisted of a 3 mile linear route with three activity and information hubs. We choose College Street as the route because of its history and ability to connect our Downtown and historic neighborhoods to a less affluent neighborhood. The program last for four hours and began with opening remarks from the mayor and project leaders. 5

Our 32 activity partners included a local arts organization, bookstore, neighborhood associations, and musicians. 7

Confession #4resources Income Community Foundation of Central Georgia grant In-Kind Donations Street closure, cleaning, and permit fees Activity partners Radio, print, and TV advertisement

Expenses Police Graphic design Signage and promotional materials Volunteer shirts and snacks Restrooms

Confession #5Marketing campaign Social Media Promo video Banners Bike pins Print, Radio, and TV advertisement Community outreach

How to create an effective and attractive marketing campaign for Open Streets across several platforms (video, photo, social media, media engagement, email)-Instagram, Facebook, and website-Bike pins-Promotional video-Banners placed along the route-Print, radio, and TV advertisement -Community outreach: attended various community events to spread the word about Open Streets Macon. Sent letters to residents who living along the route.

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confession #6Volunteers

75 volunteer positonsFilled 72 volunteer positions

Our open streets heavily depended on volunteers.We needed 75 volunteers and 72 volunteers signed up. For recruitment we reached out to public schools, churches, local government, and local media outlets. To manage volunteer sign ups we used Volunteer Spot.-Volunteers had to the ability to sign up for various times and positions and we had the ability to directly communicate with them using Volunteer Spot

Volunteer positions included: Block captains, Volunteer captains, Crosswalk Angels, and Evaluators.

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Open streets macon

$8,000 Budget $4,000 Spent 1,200 Attendees 70 Plus Volunteers 32 Activity Partners 3.1 Mile Linear Route

Confession #7Lessons learned

State clearer expectations for the police and volunteers Increase traffic blocking on main and side streets Improve activity hub connectivity Create opportunities for Tactical Urbanism

Open Streets Macon was well received by the community.

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Whats next?

Macon Connects is an initiative that aims to transform the way that Macon residents get around for the better. partnerships consisting of NewTown Macon, Macon Bibb County, Bike Macon, 8 80 Cities, and the Better Block Foundation.

This project was made possible thanks to the Knight Foundation. Over 1,000 people engaged with the Macon Connects team during the Idea Festival in June 2016.This fall, Downtown Macon will be transformed to include a minimum pop-up bike grid. Funded by a Knight City Challenge 14

Thank you!