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Parking division details $100,000 in micro‑grants and summer promotions to boost downtown activity
Summary
Staff said the department awarded $5,000 micro‑grants to 20 organizations (from a $100,000 pool including DOT and Knight Foundation matches) and outlined a summer campaign and events (Music in the Park, satellite cinema, St. James Park activation) that tie into marketing and parking messaging.
Alex (staff) said the department awarded 20 $5,000 art micro‑grants after receiving 60 applications and that the Knight Foundation matched a DOT contribution to create a $100,000 grant pool. "So we just awarded 20, art grants, $5,000 grants to our organization," Alex said, describing the awards and the condition that grantees promote city‑owned parking (90 minutes free) in event marketing.
Staff outlined outreach tactics using paid student 'champions' to promote downtown events and parking options, previewed a summer events campaign selecting about 10 marquee events for promotion, and reminded the committee the promotions include parking messaging to encourage use of garages. Members discussed activating St. James Park and the infrastructure constraints (bathrooms, traffic) that influence event scale; staff noted potential private funder interest for activation.
Staff said they will refine outreach materials and report back on event attendance and campaign performance during future meetings.
