State of the downtown...Boise

There's the rules, then there's the goals.
                                          ~Peter Kageyama

The Downtown Boise Association put on the annual State of the Downtown today, and they did a great job.  Our downtown is healthy and more people continually want to be here.  What can we all do to help that grow?

A few interesting stats from Karen sander...

• We gained a net of 25 new retail businesses in 2012
• The 2012 office vacancy in the 60 block BID was 10.3%
• There was a 15.5% drop in crime from 2011 to 2012
• There was a 57% drop in graffiti from 2011 to 2012
• Alive After Five will continue its 27th year in 2013 w/ ~3000 people attending every week
• The Boise Twilight Criterium will celebrate its 27th year July 13, 2013
• We now have 2 farmers markets.

Some interesting ideas from peter kageyama

Peter wrote a book called For the Love of Cities, and is a "city guy" as described by Mayor Dave Bieter.

• Cities need to give its citizens "love notes"
• Public Policy

1. #1 - When kids are happy, parents are happy.
2. #2 - People are happy when you surprise and delight them.

• Cities seem to focus on "high tech" when sometimes focusing on "high touch" can be just as effective.
• Some interesting ideas people have done that don't cost a lot of money, give the some sense of place, and help make people happy.

1. Dinner on a bridge, cow parade, garden hose fountains, random placement of swings, chalk stencils, "lip dub", pillow fights in the park, etc.

• The focus needs to be on FUN!  How do we make this place fun?

Do you have any ideas to help make boise fun? Do you have any ideas for "love notes"?