Crossroads streetscape planning raises business disruption concerns; digital marketing plan seen as costly

Merchants and BDC members reviewed Crossroads streetscape plans and debated how construction sequencing could affect local businesses, while also exploring a coordinated marketing approach to mitigate disruption.

A presenter said contractors plan to work in chunks and that, during peak work, some businesses may be unable to open for "a couple days" each; staff and members said contractors can try to work around major events to reduce economic harm. One member, recalling prior extended projects, cautioned about lengthy sidewalk and storefront impacts.

Meeting participants discussed the procurement timeline: a member said bidding was expected to be released early in 2027 with construction hoped to begin in spring, though precise dates are not finalized. Members asked for clearer schedules so businesses can plan operations around disruptive phases.

The Crossroads group also reviewed a digital-marketing proposal presented by Chris Westmire of Digital Strike. Several members described the plan as promising but too expensive for Crossroads alone; they asked the marketing subcommittee and BDC to explore shared funding or a scaled approach. "If we ever get to a point where it's here's a plan and here's how much it will cost, I think people will be excited about it," one member said.

Other local items touched on merchant association recruiting, the upcoming Heart of the Community awards on April 17 (Freddy's Market was named Business of the Year), and newsletter outreach (48–50% open rate reported across ~700 email addresses). Members asked staff to return with refined cost estimates for digital outreach and clearer construction schedules to use in merchant communications.

Next steps: marketing subcommittee to refine a costed digital plan for BDC consideration; staff to request and circulate a more detailed streetscape timeline to district businesses.