"Put yourself in the hot seat: Have you heard of the Downtown Lexington Corporation? "Well, sure," you say. But can you explain what the DLC does? In an informal word-of-mouth survey, the question was met with long pauses, and a few responses of "They do parades."
The Downtown Lexington Corporation's new executive director, Renee Jackson, emphasizes that the DLC does parades and much more. Yet Jackson is the first to admit the Downtown Lexington Corporation may not be widely known outside its membership, downtown supporters and government entities. That's about to change, she said. Jackson encourages communications from the general public as well as DLC members and non-members. The first order of business for DLC is clear: "Talk to us. We're here."
Jackson describes the job of the DLC as addressing downtown quality-of-life issues, such as advocating to give downtown better curb appeal, ramp up its cultural drawing power and improve all-around functionality.
"Imagine what a visitor has to do to get to Transylvania Park," said Jackson. "How many turns on one-way streets do they have to make?"
New faces, new vision
The DLC underwent a changing of the guard this summer when Renee Jackson came on board to head up the organization in July 2006. The position was vacated when Lexington advocate and mainstay Rose Lucas retired. Jackson quickly recruited Sandy Straub as executive assistant and brought on new staffers who, as a team, are charging ahead. Jackson said she hopes to put the DLC on the public's radar screen through visible changes - from making downtown more appealing overall to hosting diverse events that make Lexington a destination.
Jackson outlined three core areas of focus for the DLC in the coming months. The organization is committed to improving access and opportunities through communications; becoming a promotional organization for downtown and surrounding areas, and; strengthening the many established and successful DLC-sponsored events as well as introducing new events.
"We're looking (toward) opening up the lines of communication at all levels and doing things differently. Just because the DLC hasn't done something before, doesn't mean we can't now. We're here to hear what the community needs and how we can meet those needs. We're open to exploring new opportunities," said Jackson.
Cooperation and collaboration are integral to Jackson's leadership style. She named LexArts, Commerce Lexington, the Downtown Development Authority and the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau as top-tier organizations for DLC outreach. Jackson explained, "We're working toward the same ultimate goal to make Lexington a better place to live and work. I'd like to see more communication between the groups so we don't duplicate efforts but rather reinforce what the other is doing."
Jackson's and Straub's vision for downtown is not confined to city limits. "The whole purpose of having a strong, vibrant downtown is to make the whole region attractive to businesses and culturally rich for residents," said Straub. "We're here to strengthen the whole region, from Shakertown to the Horse Park. We support and promote our downtown as a place that people are proud to bring their family and friends."
Jackson and Straub have both served as board members for Commerce Lexington. The combined experience informs their job ahead: positioning the DLC to serve the needs of its members. The DLC membership includes roughly 300 large and small downtown businesses, organizations, and individuals.
Jackson envisions the DLC as becoming an active promotional organization, supporting signature events that make downtown a destination. The DLC will continue to host popular events like parades and Thursday Night Live. It will also boost public awareness of its existing but less widely known events and programs, such as Kentucky Stars and the Ambassador Program. The DLC Web site, www.downtownlex.com, is being updated to highlight shopping, dining and social services in the downtown area as well.
The DLC is currently re-evaluating its roster of events and programs. The plan is to boost support for activities that are meeting the organization's objectives and to introduce new activities to bring more people downtown.
At the top of the DLC's short list of priority needs is what Jackson calls wayfinding. Wayfinding means making the downtown streetscape easier to navigate, with clear signage to direct pedestrians and drivers, especially with the NCAA tournament in town in 2007 and the World Equestrian Games coming up in 2010. Part of the DLC's wayfinding goal includes making the downtown areas more appealing aesthetically as well.
"When you visit a new place, you remember the downtown. That impression is what you take with you," concluded Jackson. Also figuring high on her list are the need for improvements to sidewalk surfaces, the irrigation system for trees and plants, burying electrical conduits and upgrading holiday decorations and seasonal banners.
As for her personal thoughts on Lexington's downtown, Jackson said, "I love it. Seeing the cafes on the sidewalks and people out enjoying this place is great."