IDA visited Topeka, Kansas last week to conduct a successful IDA Advisory Panel. The experience was tremendous, and a great opportunity to learn how this capital city is advancing post-pandemic. The streetscape infrastructure is second to none, boasting wide sidewalks, pocket parks, a new IDA Award winning entertainment plaza, and the requisite bike and bus lanes. What was missing were the vast number of pedestrians that traversed Kansas Avenue as they once did prior to 2020.
The panel members are currently developing final recommendations for delivery next week; however, I was struck by a couple important points which highlight the strength and professionalism of IDA members. Joining Cathy Lin, AICP and myself were IDA members Lisa Simms (CEO of Venture Richmond), Kyle Carter, LPM (Executive Director, of Downtown Davenport Partnership and VP of Place Management of Quad Cities Chamber), and Jeff Fluhr (CEO of Greater Wichita Partnership) who collectively served as panel members. Panel participation can be both challenging and rewarding as practitioner members of IDA find themselves in a unique advisory role to a downtown that is not their own. Yet it is this outside objectivity that makes the panel process so valuable. Without an ongoing vested interest, the panel members are able to provide honest feedback on key actions items the downtown district should undertake.
The panel members’ extensive experience, curated specifically for each engagement, quickly allowed them to assess the strengths of Downtown Topeka. Adept at interacting with elected officials, real estate developers, major employers, local merchants and civic organizations, the panelists engaged with probing questions to over 40 individuals, quickly gaining keen insights into the immediate challenges needing attention. Observing these interactions, it was clear the ability of professional place managers to engage stakeholders is universally applicable in all urban district environments. And the challenges we face at home are not unlike those facing many other places around North America.
Yes, each place is different, however all place management organizations are finding they must focus on fundamentals as we rebuild post-pandemic. This includes provision of high-quality public space, delivering robust activations to create a vibrant district that is marketed widely, and deployment of business development strategies to grow the economic strength of the neighborhood. This is achieved through focused leadership and clearly defined priorities.
IDA was invited by the Greater Topeka Partnership, which like a growing number of IDA members consists of multiple organizations collaborating under a single umbrella management entity. The partnership embodies the downtown organization, the chamber of commerce, the regions’ DMO and economic development organizations. While all are focused on strengthening the city, aligning the expertise of each entity to support a strong city center became a case study in organizational management.
The panel illustrated the comprehensive complexity of downtown management though the lens of IDA’s seven knowledge domains which define the profession in detail to support the fundamental principle above to include economic development, public space management, advocacy and promotion. The panel recommended deploying an OFAA process, which is short for Own, Facilitate, Advocate and Avoid. This is an exceptional tool that can be applied to multiple organizations like the Partnership or multiple teams with a single organization to determine what role is needed, by whom, for any given project. It is a reminder that clarity of purpose and an ability to operate in different roles is at the center of successful collaboration. Equally important is the last item, the ability to say no. This is often the most difficult for many IDA members but perhaps the most crucial if precious resources are to be strategically leveraged for impact.
While the panel still has some work to do in finalizing their recommendations, I am left with a profound appreciation for both the talent and passion Lisa, Kyle and Jeff voluntarily shared with their colleagues in Topeka, while on a mission to help serve a community that is not their own. Witnessing IDA members’ professional expertise at work and the transferable best practices embodied in them is truly inspiring and highlights the unique value of our industry.