Downtown Developments, Feb/March/April

DOWNTOWN Developments

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOP SMALL SATURDAYS

VINTAGE CANTON May 25 CANTON FARMERS’ MARKET June 2017 BLUES FEST June 9 & 10 IN THIS ISSUE SHOP SMALL SATURDAYS DOWNTOWN COMMITTEE FIRST FRIDAY

Join us every Saturday, March 4 through April 22, for shopping and saving in downtown Canton!

Join us every Saturday, March 4 through April 22, for shopping and saving in Downtown Canton! Shop Small Saturdays and Save is a promotional campaign created by the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District designed to encourage shoppers to discover retailers in downtown Canton.

Nearly 20 specialty retailers are offering a special discount of 20% off a single item. Simply download your coupons from ShopDowntownCanton.com or trim them from print advertisements and redeem at each individual store. We’ve even included a coupon in this issue for your convenience (SEE NEXT PAGE).

You’ll save on the most unique fashion, art, handmade goods, gifts, jewelry, personal care items, furniture and furnishings, vintage goods, books and more, every Saturday.

Coupon rules are simple: the promotion may not be combined with any other offer, but the coupon may be used at multiple retailers each Saturday (but only one time per store per day per customer).

SMARTSPLASH NEW BUSINESSES FARMERS’ MARKET MARKET SQUARE SID RENEWAL ARTS IN STARK CAMPAIGN

and Save This Spring!

a publication of Canton Development Partnership, a department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce

Feb. /Mar./ Apr. Vo l. 17 I s s u e 2

The shops are wonderfully walkable, the parking is free and the deals await! Get your coupon and shop ‘til you drop downtown! Visit ShopDowntownCanton. com for a full list of retailers.

NEW COMMITTEE to Enhance,

Beautify and Grow the Arts District

The success of the arts district is vital to the future of Canton’s downtown vibrancy and economic development. Even though the decade-long transformation from Downtown Developments is published quarterly by Canton Development Partnership, a department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Downtown Canton Special Improvement District

222 Market Ave. N. Canton, OH 44702 (330) 456-0468 fax (330) 452-7786 cdp@cantonchamber.org www.DowntownCanton.com Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO Michael P. Gill Director, CDP Annette Rosenberger Office Manager Debbie Busby Director of Membership Programs Collyn Floyd Marketing Director & Editor Chris Gumpp Director of Community Events & Sponsorships Sarah Lutz Graphics Manager The Canton Development Partnership is a coalition of area development organizations and city government that share an interest in downtown Canton’s continual improvement, revitalization, image, and quality of life for its citizens.

Its mission is to support and coordinate the activities and programs of its partner organizations in order to encourage and sustain community and economic development in downtown Canton.

The partnering organizations include: Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, Downtown Canton Land Bank, Canton Tomorrow, Inc., and City of Canton.

Information regarding downtown events and news can be submitted for reprint at the discretion of the Partnership director and publication editor. The Canton Development Partnership reserves the right to edit all copy.

Deadlines are the 15th of the month, two months prior to publication (i.e., March 15 for the May/June/July issue).

Statements of fact and opinion within Downtown Developments are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply the opinion of the members of Canton Development Partnership or its partnering organizations.

Advertising rates and specifications are available by contacting the Chamber sales department at (330) 458-2067.

urban blight to an energetic and eclectic downtown arts district seems dramatic, the neighborhood will remain economically fragile until we can attract enough consumers to sustain the businesses and help artists improve their business acumen.

To address these challenges, ArtsinStark has received a grant to help fund a “Canton Arts District Community Development Plan.” The plan is designed to add new life to the district, increase the business and marketing skills of the merchants, improve the aesthetics, attract new and repeat visitors, and empower entrepreneurs to continue the plan through forming a Canton Arts District Committee with valuable community partners.

Plans for the committee include the addition of a new large event May-October which will have a family friendly focus, a downtown storefront beautification project, and targeted marketing strategies.

FIRST FRIDAY FUN!

February | March | April February- Go Red

The Canton Arts District GOES RED to support the American Heart Association and celebrate all our heart’s desires. At the Canton Museum of Art visitors will show off their creative side by designing their own heart shaped valentines, posing in the Go Red photo booth or sitting for a local caricature artist. Anyone who wears red to the museum will receive a free raffle ticket.

March- Luck of the Irish

Make the tour of our downtown bars for our Luck of the Irish themed First Friday. Listen to Celtic music all over the district.

Don your green at Avenue Arts and get 25% off all First Friday merchandise.

April- Kids at Art

Exhibiting work from local kids make and take projects all over the Canton Arts District. PLUS lots of fun surprises like face painting, balloon artists, and young musicians!

Have a Jungle of a Good Time at SmArtSplash SmArtSplash, ArtsinStark’s FREE family fun event returns to the Cultural Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 4 from 10 am-2 pm. Free admission and parking, live performances, make-and-take projects, large-scale collaborative projects that will be added to throughout the day, K-5 SmArt Show, photo booth, and food for purchase in “Monkey’s Munchies.” It’s sure to be a jungle of a good time!

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DOWNTO Comprehensive Plan Update The City of Canton’s Comprehensive Plan will require ongoing management to be successful. Accordingly, the City of Canton and the Executive Committee of the Comprehensive Plan have recommended that a full-time planner be added to the city staff to recommend and monitor actions and progress of the plan.

Redevelopment District/Innovation District Update The Canton Development Partnership and the City of Canton continue to research House Bill 233 and develop an implementation strategy for downtown Canton. The proposed Downtown Redevelopment District and Innovation District will be a very important method of promoting economic development in our center city. Tax incentives and high speed connectivity will position downtown Canton as a business destination.

Arby’s to Open in Spring Arby’s will establish a location in downtown Canton at 1125 Market Ave. N., adjacent to the Canton Civic Center. Arby’s will remodel the interior and exterior of the building with their new “Inspire” design.

The 3,000-square foot building will have a seating capacity of 68.

Construction will begin in March 2017 and should be completed in late April.

OWN

BUSINESS NEWS

Hall of Fame City Ice Rink Huge Success Collaborative effort results in the reopening of outdoor ice rink The Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, a program of the Canton Regional Chamber, along with the City of Canton, Coon Restoration, Canton Parks & Recreation, Arcade Coneys and Center Ice Sports, are pleased to announce that through a collaborative effort, the City of Canton’s downtown outdoor ice rink is open for the 2016-2017 winter season. The ice rink, located on Courthouse Plaza (215 Tuscarawas St. W) had been dormant for the past seven years.

“Interest in the outdoor rink has surpassed all of our expectations,” said Michael P. Gill, president of SID. “It’s incredibly popular, especially on the weekends. We’re thrilled to see our community enjoying our downtown amenities.”

Amenities include: on-site food and skate rentals at Arcade Coneys, lighting for day and evening skating, outdoor seating and broadcasted music.

The rink is open Monday-Thursday from 10 am – 7 pm, Friday-Saturday from 10 am – 8 pm, and Sunday from Noon-6 pm. Admission is free, and figure skate and hockey skate rentals are $3.00 per person.

The Bliss Lofts Another downtown Canton living space will become available in March 2017. The Bliss Lofts at 2nd and Court Avenue NW offers modern luxury living and features 55 one and two bedroom units, with epic views and convenient downtown living. Units range in size from 918 square feet to 1,246 square feet. Each unit includes a secure parking space in an attached parking deck.

Photo courtesy of J. Albert Studios.

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Showcase your local products at the 2017 Canton Farmers’ Market

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amed one of About Magazine “Local Faves” for Favorite Farmers’ Market, our very own Canton Farmers’ Market is indeed a downtown favorite, and we’re looking forward to its return every Saturday beginning in June!

The Canton Farmers’ Market offers a cornucopia of local produce, breads and baked goods, organic cheeses, grass-fed beef, and much, much more, including live music, local artists, health checks, organic gardening tips, and cooking demonstrations.

In order to assure an awesome experience for vendors, growers, and customers, details are still being finalized. More information and vendor applications will be on the website soon, so check it out at www. cantonfarmersmarket.com.

Please contact Annette Rosenberger, office manager, Canton Development Partnership, at annette@ cantonchamber.org or (330) 458-2092 with vendor inquiries.

MARKET SQUARE Could Become an Iconic Attraction or some time, the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, City of Canton and the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce have been working with urban and landscape architect MKSK and Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village lead architect, HKS, to design a new epicenter in our downtown.

Michael P. Gill, President of the SID, explained that the downtown Master Plan completed in 2013 called for a strong focus on our primary blocks in the center city. Furthermore, we needed to identify a location in the center of our downtown where people could congregate.

Planning committees were established to gain input on the required elements of such a site. The obvious elements are a permanent stage, restrooms, seating, flowerbeds, walkways etc.

However, the recent thoughts provided by the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, City of Canton and Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village suggest creating a wow factor to complement the required elements of Market Square.

Gill commented that this type of bold vision, coupled with practical, required elements, will create a vibrant space that will draw people to it. Furthermore, the newly created space will enable us to visually and mentally connect us to the great happenings at the Hall of Fame Village. Now it is a matter of completing the design and funding the cost of the project. Stay tuned. More to come.

Downtown Canton Special Improvement District to Seek a Five-Year Renewal The board of the SID approved action to renew the organization for another five years. This petition for renewal will represent its 6th authorization and will include years 2018 – 2022. A request for renewal was submitted to Canton City Council and subsequently approved on January 9, 2017.

The next step of the process will be to deliver a petition to property owners within the SID boundaries. The SID is not increasing its budget for the renewal period, which will result in no increase of funds to the SID for the next five-year period.

According to Michael P. Gill, President of the SID, the city’s resurgence began to take shape with the forming of the SID in 1998. Downtown has seen a noticeable turnaround in economic activity over the past two decades. That turnaround is being used as a launch pad for future growth.

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The SID has been a major player and partner in bringing people into the downtown by offering first class events, market rate living space, encouraging new investment in downtown Canton, which currently totals ($150,000,000) at the end of 2015. The SID and ArtsinStark have partnered to attract and house artists in a welldeveloped art district. The SID has also partnered with the City of Canton to focus on downtown beautification.

The SID believes that the next major investment in our downtown will be the development of Market Square and its connection to the Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village. Petitions will be forwarded to property owners for their vote in February 2017.

ArtsinStark’s Annual Campaign Has $1,650,000 Goal ArtsinStark has set a goal of $1,650,000 for the 2017 Annual Arts Campaign which will kick off on March 2nd and run through May 24th. The campaign will be chaired

by Dave Grabowsky, Owner: Standard Plumbing and Heating. “We’re raising dollars for all the arts in Stark County,” says Grabowsky. “One example is the SmArts Program which has reached 30,000 kids in every public school district in Stark County – and all the Catholic middle and elementary schools.” The Arts Campaign theme this year is “Key to Creativity – The Arts.” If you would like to support the Annual Arts Campaign, please go to www. artsinstark.com or call 330.453.1075.

In the last 10 years ArtsinStark has put $1.5 million in 600 arts projects to

revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods in every community in Stark County.

It also supports the seven major arts organizations: 1) Canton Ballet, 2) Massillon Museum, 3) Symphony, 4) Palace Theatre, 5) Canton Museum of Art, 6) Players Guild, and 7) Voices of Canton – who next year will get $1.1 million.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame and ArtsinStark are creating a new tourist attraction called The ELEVEN: a $2.2 million public art series celebrating the 11 greatest moments in professional football history. ArtsinStark has installed the first four moments and wants the entire series to be done by 2020. “As the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village becomes reality,” says ArtsinStark Board Chair Emil Alecusan,

“it’s time to put more arts in our schools, our downtowns, and our neighborhoods, and to make cultural tourism one of our highest priorities.”

ArtsinStark is the only United Arts Fund Campaign in the United States to ever make goal for 10 years in a row. “And this March through May we’re going to do it again,” says ArtsinStark CEO Robb Hankins.

More event information: DowntownCanton.com

Winter-Spring

222 Market Ave. N., Canton, OH 44702

February First Friday Canton Arts District February 3

Shop Small Saturdays and Save Downtown Canton Saturdays, March 4-April 22

103rd Canton Regional Chamber Annual Dinner Presented by KeyBank Canton Memorial Civic Center February 20

April First Friday Canton Arts District April 7

March First Friday Canton Arts District March 3 SmArt Splash Cultural Center for the Arts March 4

Canton Charge Canton Memorial Civic Center Home games in February and March!