By Julie Mehta
Team Saratoga, the research team formed by the Saratoga Business Development Council to help promote business in the city, was scheduled to begin implementing ideas for improving Saratoga's economic climate at its first meeting today.
The team formed last month after Dave Kilbourne submitted a 60-page draft of the economic-development plan he created under city contract.
"I think we will be sifting out the essence of the report," says Dick Wood, chairman of Team Saratoga. "We will try to zero in on things in the document and find various resources to help improve business in Saratoga."
Wood said last week the team would today be determining how many members it should have, how often it should meet, and when it should complete its mission. The group's eight current members are Wood, Pat Andreson, Bill Cooper, Cookie Fitzsimmons, Judy Gathard, Andrea Liddie, Clare McBride and Carl Orr.
The extensive meeting and discussion process involved with the effort to enhance Saratoga's business image resulted in several conclusions. One was that Saratoga is a small town with a quaint atmosphere and lots of arts and culture and five-star restaurants--but the mix of stores needs to be diversified.
Other conclusions were that business hours are irregular and limited, especially during evenings and weekends, and that there are too few, if any, family-oriented businesses or eating establishments.
According to a summary of Kilbourne's report, prepared by city staff, he recommends improvement in four primary areas.
The plan advises creating a marketing effort to promote Saratoga as a "destination of choice" in which to shop, dine and carry out business. To support this, it recommends a beautification campaign, which would include the repair, painting and cleaning of existing structures; the erection of entryway arches and signs; and the initiation of a public arts program that may include wall murals illustrating Saratoga's history.
The plan also suggests the formation of a commercial recruitment committee that would hold a series of public information programs to encourage new businesses to locate in Saratoga and encourage existing ones to expand.
To fund these programs, the plan mentions that most cities use business improvement districts (BID). This involves various commercial areas assessing themselves to fund improvements, such as retail promotional programs, civic beautification efforts, Christmas decorations, and other programs.
Wood says the BID is just one of several funding options the team will consider. And he believes the business council meetings will continue to be crucial to allowing people an opportunity to suggest ideas for enhancing Saratoga businesses.
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, August 7, 1996.
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