We are requesting that the priorities of the DTLB Alliance be reassessed and funds be reallocated to meet the moment.
Priority 1 - Public safety and the perception of public safety.
We are requesting that the $3.2m spent on operations be reallocated to include $1.75m towards police on the ground. In addition this move should be broadcast via social media channels with positive PR stories and images of police and public safety in downtown Long Beach.
Priority 2 - Social media marketing and public relations.
Increase the communications/marketing budget from $450k to $1m. Reallocate funds to focus primarily on social media marketing. Professionally managed marketing and social media PR campaigns with the goal of combatting and addressing the negative image of Downtown and highlighting the diverse neighborhoods, positive events, changes and activations within the community.
Priority 3 - Events and activations.
Increase events budget from $450k to $1.25m. Establish a recurring monthly event which reflects the general nature and soul of downtown. Take existing name recognition events and fully revamp and reimagine them. Bring back nostalgic events such as buskerfest, thunder thursday, nye, etc. in a robust and overwhelming way to make a statement. Potentially one per year for the next 3 years.
Areas we are willing to accept budget cuts
Although the following programs are fantastic and greatly beneficial to downtown we feel they come secondary to the priorities outlined above.
- Economic development
- Operations (specifically clean team, safe team, homeless outreach, pressure washing)