The ADRR

As most others concerned about downtown revitalization, we at the ADRR have been trying to understand the challenges the Covid19 pandemic has generated and to identify effective strategic and programmatic responses to them. To help speed progress in this effort, our editor, David Milder, wrote “Are the Challenges Our Larger Downtowns Now Face Properly Scoped Out?” It is being posted at the same time as this transcript on part of the multi-day online discussion about the topics it raised.

In it he looked at: the strength of downtown offices and how they are being impacted by remote work; downtown housing; downtown retail, and downtown public order and safety. After reviewing a draft of that article, the ADRR board engaged a in discussion of these challenges. The edited transcript of these discussions is being posted to The ADRR website in  four parts, one for each challenge, as they are completed. They are also being distributed via our MailChimp emails. Below is the transcript on downtown order and safety.

The discussion on public disorder started off in this manner:

David Milder  May 10, 2022 at 7:03 AM

Hi All,

We’re coming into the home stretch of this great discussion. Thanks for your productive participation, especially the gusher of inputs over the past weekend. I certainly have my editorial work cut out for me.

I’d like to now turn our focus to the topic of public order/safety, though its importance is signaled by how often it already has perked up in this discussion. I ask you to now respond to the following questions:

1. How much are the operations in the downtowns you work in, and/or know very well, being altered, or damaged, by public disorder/safety? Is it keeping workers, shoppers and/or tourists away in substantial numbers? Is there really strong evidence of this?
2. How does this issue manifest itself: Increased homelessness? Higher drug use/sale? Higher rates of murder, assaults, rape? Higher rates of major public disruptions such as arson, riots, occupations of public and private spaces and buildings; flash take overs of roads, streets, flash mob robberies of shops?
3. For which of the above do the police and BIDs not have adequate responses?
4. Which BID programs are today the most effective?
5. Are there new types of programs BIDs should explore?
6. How important is BIDs simply influencing city and PD leaders?

Dave Feehan  May 10, 2022 at 8:51 AM

I’ve been working with Pat DiGiovanni on a BID renewal in Sioux Falls. I have also been developing a strategic plan for the BID in Des Moines IA. And I have been in touch with the BID in Minneapolis, as well as Blaire McBride, president of Block by Block. Based on what I’ve learned, I would say that Minneapolis has by far been most damaged by public disorder and crime. Des Moines has experienced some impact, and Sioux Falls not much at all. Minneapolis has had a frightening number of shootings, car jackings, and assaults  occur in downtown and adjacent districts. Des Moines has had to shut Court Avenue to traffic, the heart of its entertainment district, because of a few violent incidents. Sioux Falls has had relatively few violent crimes and incidents of public disorder, but there has been an uptick in homelessness and public concern about that issue.

One may conclude that the answer to your first question is situational and locational. Some cities have experienced real damage; others hardly any. I believe it has to do with the size of the city and the percentage of the population that is low-income.

In answer to #2, all of these problems are manifested in Minneapolis and St. Paul to a lesser degree. Significantly less in Des Moines, and hardly at all in Sioux Falls.

Regarding #3, the Minneapolis Police Department is in disarray. Morale is extremely low. Response times are high, and some calls just get ignored. The department is down more than 200 sworn officers, and recruiting has been very slow. It will take years before Minneapolis Police recover from the effects of the Floyd murder.

I am not sure BIDs have figured out any new approaches to reducing crime. Des Moines is having regular calls with BID staff in other cities, and I don’t hear  many ideas being proposed. BIDs could be the “canaries in the coal mine,” an early warning system for the police. BIDs could make escort services more visible and available. BIDs could and some do establish communication networks between local businesses.

David Milder  May 10, 2022 at 8:59 AM

Dave, Thanks!

It doesn’t seem that the BIDs you know are coming up with new ideas.

Also, I think escort services are a very bad sign, and while they may be needed, they also reinforce a negative security image. You can bet that those using such services are not disseminating positive images  about their districts.

Dave Feehan  May 10, 2022 at 9:07 AM

I had a conversation with Blaire McBride a few weeks ago and asked that very question – what new ideas does he hear from the field, as Block by Block is in so many communities? He really didn’t have any great new ideas. As for escorts, say what you want, but employers very much appreciate if an ambassador is available to accompany an employee (usually a woman) to her car, especially at night and if she is parked in garage. I would argue this is a positive image for the BID, but maybe not for downtown.

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