Cool Springs Downtown District unveils five'year strategy, expands ambassador and cleaning programs

Ashanti Bennett, interim president and CEO of the Cool Springs Downtown District, presented the district's newly adopted five-year strategic plan to Fayetteville City Council at the March 3 work session, highlighting priorities including public-art installations, a recruitment push to attract retailers and restaurants, an expanded ambassador safety program and a shared-dumpster "clean streets" effort.

"Cool Spring Downtown District's mission is to grow downtown Fayetteville as a dynamic hub where creativity, culture and commerce thrive," Bennett said, introducing the plan and a vision through 2028 the board adopted in October. The strategic plan centers on five pillars: promotion and marketing, placemaking and events, economic recruitment, public-realm improvement (including a shared-waste program) and advocacy.

Bennett described operational accomplishments behind the strategy: an ambassador program with visible staff in orange shirts seven days a week, a shared dumpster pad recently installed near Otis Jones Parkway and returning events such as Fourth Fridays. She said the ambassador program now includes one full-time ambassador and one part-time ambassador; city and county funding recently allowed the district to increase part-time coverage and pursue additional private and public funding to make both positions full time and possibly add a third staffer.

The plan calls for a recruitment event to attract hotel, restaurant and retail investors; expanded public art and a possible summer concert series; a website redesign and refreshed marketing to communicate a cohesive downtown brand; and enhanced partnerships with the Arts Council, parks and recreation and other stakeholders. Board member Michael (surname in transcript as "Michael") also spoke in favor of the ambassador program, describing detailed daily logs ambassadors keep and their role coordinating with police, sanitation and inspections.

Council discussion centered on funding and oversight. Council members asked for budget-level detail on the MSD (Municipal Service District) levy and what additional city or county funding supports the ambassador program; Bennett said ambassador compensation currently comes from a combination of MSD funds, city contract support and county contributions, and the district is pursuing private sponsors.

Ending: Council thanked Cool Springs leadership for the plan and asked staff to provide budget breakdowns of MSD revenue, city/county support for ambassadors and potential private funding sources during the budget cycle.