The Four-Point Approach
The Four-Point Approach
The Fort Valley Downtown Development Authority offers a comprehensive commercial district revitalization organization. Described below are the four points of our approach which work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort.
Organization
Organization involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a Fort Valley DDA revitalization program. A governing board and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of the volunteer-driven program. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid program director as well. This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.
Promotion
Promotion sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Fort Valley DDA district. By marketing a district's unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners, and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers. These activities improve consumer and investor confidence in the district and encourage commercial activity and investment in the area.
Design
Design means getting Fort Valley DDA into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets -— such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets -— is just part of the story. An inviting atmosphere, created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems and long-term planning.
Economic Restructuring
Economic Restructuring strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. The Fort Valley DDA program helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruits compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today's consumers' needs. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district.
Coincidentally, the four points of the Fort Valley DDA approach correspond with the four forces of real estate value, which are social, political, physical, and economic.
Read more about the Eight Guiding Principles that complement the four points.