International Downtown Association2013 Downtown Achievement Awards

Downtown Transformation Initiative

Battle Creek, Michigan

NarrativeIn November 2008, the Battle Creek Downtown Transformation Project (DTI) was announced.

A project which started out with a combined $87 million project in public and private investments to reveal a new downtown, a downtown where food science, innovation and growth strategies synergize with education and urban lifestyles within a sustainable infrastructure. The revitalization is built upon four interactive pillars – education, food protection, public and private investment and infrastructure.

The pillars, working together would create a new synergy not only in downtown, but throughout the entire City of Battle Creek.

Downtown Transformation Project

The Four Pillars

• Food Protection: Position Battle Creek as a global leader in food protection resource development and innovation. Grow critical mass of talent, companies and resources.

• Public & Private Investment: Support and enhance Kellogg Company presence, attract other new private development investment.

• Education: Expand Math/Science program in downtown. Integrate & increase utilization of downtown education institutions. Create career paths into technology clusters and professions.

• Infrastructure/Amenities: Downtown appearance, walkability, amenities, gateway, retail, services, entertainment, and outdoor festival/events areas.

DTI Four Pillars

Infrastructure Education

Private Investment Food Protection

The centerpiece of our food science, innovation growth strategy is with the creation of the Global Food Protection Institute (GFPI). The Institute is positioning Battle Creek as the global leader in food protection, resource development and innovation.

The Institute, the lone organization providing resource development and collaboration network facilitating the exchange of information, generation of new ideas and accelerates technologies to enhance the safety of the global food supply.

To achieve its mission, the GFPI has established the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI), the Symposia and the Technology Accelerator.

Website: www.gfpi.org

Pillar: Food Protection

The education pillar was designed to integrate and increase utilization of downtown education institutions, assist in the creation of career paths. The Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center maintains a reputation as one of the top high school math and science centers in Michigan.

Through positioning the Center in downtown, the students are able to have access to and capitalize upon the rich science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programming employers are able to provide through internships and other hands-on applications.

In addition to the Center, enhancements to other education institutions in downtown include Battle Creek Public Schools, St. Philip Catholic School, Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, Kellogg Community College, Calhoun Area Career Center and Miller College.

Website: www.bcamsc.org

Pillar: Education

The public and private investments were designed to support and enhance Kellogg Company’s presence and to attract other new private development initiatives.

Five major investments in downtown - one expansion, two relocations, one renovation and one new business specifically aligned with food protection and innovative growth strategy.• W.K. Kellogg Institute for Nutritional Research: $54M• Kellogg Company: $7M• McCamly Plaza Hotel - Grand Heritage: $6.5M• Covance Laboratories: $15M• Battle Creek Area Math & Science Center: $14M

In addition to the major investments listed above, total public and private investment to date include 23 new businesses and 21 relocations and expansions.

Websites: www.covance.com, www.kellogg.com

Pillar: Public & Private

Investment

The downtown infrastructure has created a more attractive and welcoming environment to increase investment in downtown, improve safety, walkability, residential living and cutting edge technology.

Changes in infrastructure included (but not limited to):• Creation of a gateway into the downtown with lighting and

art screen displays;

• Pedestrian pathways and connectors linking to the 22-mile linear park, river and federal trail systems;

• Addition of bike racks, creating standards for cleanliness and public safety;

• Removal of blighted buildings; and

• Streetscape enhancements including custom designed self-watering planters and bench seating, extensive LED lighting in the sidewalks as well as street-level, new plantings including trees and native species and a new pocket park with an interactive water feature and fire pit to encourage year-round programming.

Pillar: Infrastructure

The DTI Difference

The DTI Difference

IndicatorsAchievements to Date$120 Million in Public & Private Investment1,000 Additional Jobs475,000 SF of Building Space Consumed23 New Businesses21 Relocations & ExpansionsBlight Reduction Campaign

• 75 inquires, 200 building tours, 6 current interested developers, five buildings under option, one building under development (as of 6/14/13)

Programming• 100+ events held downtown, 50+ by Battle

Creek Downtown Partnership• Attendance >35,000

• New Programs – Before I Die Wall, Yard Games

Downtown Battle CreekBattle Creek Unlimited

DowntownBTLCRK BCUnlimited

www.downtownbattlecreek.comwww.bcunlimited.org