A Banner Day For Elmwood Avenue
Elmwood Avenue is about to embark on a new marketing plan that the organization feels will help shoppers become even more accustomed to the district. This has been achievable through a $10,000 grant secured from the Oishei Foundation. The addition of a second full time staff person, Dan Leonard, has also been a big step. Not only is Dan excited to be on board with the association, he has high hopes for the street’s future. “I received my Masters in Urban Planning from UB,” Dan told me. “And I’ve worked with Justin Azzarella (Director) on projects before. The new position allows us to work directly with the businesses in a liaison capacity. We have not had the resources in the past to make these connections as much as we need to. Now we will try to understand the wants and needs of the merchants… and their concerns. The association has accomplished so much already with limited resources. If you look at all of the programs that we run, it is just as important to connect with the businesses.”
The new marketing program consists of a series of banners that will color code the different sections of Elmwood. I asked Dan what the organization hopes to accomplish by this. “Later this year we’ll come out with a map and guide to coordinate with the banners. It’s a way for the people who are not from the Elmwood area to become more familiar with the different commercial sections.” The banners will also be effective for the businesses to be able to tell (over the phone) visitors which section they are in. I then asked Dan if any of these banners would make their way towards the Peace Bridge to guide visitors to Elmwood. “We like that idea and will look into it.” Then I inquired about working with other commercial districts in the city… like Elmwood’s bookends, Hertel and Allentown. “We worked with Hertel when we ordered the Green Machine street cleaners. They go out in the morning before visitors are on the sidewalks. We’re all for Allentown and Hertel… they add to the diversity of the city and we would love to see them continue to grow as they have been doing.”
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Justin_Azzarella
Thanks Newell for helping us get the word out about the new banners, Visitor Map & Guide and Business Development position at EVA! I’ve just heard back from our banner manufacturer and they're slated to begin installation this Friday.
I'd like to add that the M&T Charitable Foundation and a private family foundation (which asked to remain anonymous) also gave generously to help fund our new banners and Visitor Map & Guide.
Leo Abbott with Paragon Advertising created the new EVA logo and banners and has donated countless hours to assisting EVA with our marketing efforts. Thank you to all for your continued support!
Justin Azzarella Executive Director Elmwood Village Association
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AuburnAve
Faaaabulous.... more rainbows on Elmwood.
I doubt EVA will help support Elmwood south of Summer St. or north of Forest Ave. Does EVA think people are dumb enough not to understand street intersections? And what about the color blind? They are citizens too. And I can here it now.... Forget "We're located at Elmwood and Auburn", now it will be "Blue section - row 15".
It takes a MUP to hang colored banners? Hope he contributes more to Elmwood than this.
What about the idea of marketing Elmwood to Toronto? Any more thoughts on that?
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senorita
I think that these will look sweet. When banners are maintained properly.. and often they are not.. then they are very pleasing to the eye. It shows great pride (rainbow or not) in an area. Good job Dan and Justin.
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tjc246
Hey AuburnAve- I am so glad you have faith in the EVA. Maybe they shouldn't put up banners, or do marketing materials, or for that matter organize clean-ups, do the farmers market, or summer concerts, or hanging flower baskets or holiday activies, or offer facade improvement programs, or business assistance, maybe the EVA shouldn't exist so that you wouldn't have to complain about it.
I get very tired of hearing ill-informed people talk about the EVA. This organization has done more for the area over the past 13 years than just about anywhere in the City and on a shoestring budget. I applaud the efforts of the EVA and... no they are not perfect but they work their hardest at trying to keep the neighborhood moving in the right direction. I would suggest that AuburnAve volunteer some time with the organization to see how hard they wrok every day to make the neighborhood a better place to live, work and play.
As far as the banners go... the colored banners are for visitors (yes, hopefully from Canada and others) who do not know the area at all. A store owner can say "I am at Elmwood and Auburn- just look for the Blue Banners". It's a great way to coordinate it with a map and directory of the area. Another good example of wayfinding signage.
I like Newell's idea of having banners or even signs in the colors and shape of the banners pointing potential visitors from the Peace Bridge to the neighborhood. Taking it further,it would also be great to then direct visitors to Allentown, Hertle, downtown and points beyond.
Back on point, congradulations to the EVA on this new marketing effort. Responding back to AuburnAve's other point...I am sure that the EVA's primary focus is on Elmwood Avenue between North to Forest and associated sidestreets but knowing from experience will help any business along Elmwood or Allen as I had done as the first executive director of the then Forever Elmwood organization.
Peace out and keep up the excellent work- Tom Cooney
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tjc246
Hey AuburnAve- I am so glad you have faith in the EVA. Maybe they shouldn't put up banners, or do marketing materials, or for that matter organize clean-ups, do the farmers market, or summer concerts, or hanging flower baskets or holiday activities, or offer facade improvement programs, or business assistance, maybe the EVA shouldn't exist so that you wouldn't have to complain about it.
I get very tired of hearing ill-informed people talk about the EVA. This organization has done more for the area over the past 13 years than just about anywhere in the City and on a shoestring budget. I applaud the efforts of the EVA and... no they are not perfect but they work their hardest at trying to keep the neighborhood moving in the right direction. I would suggest that AuburnAve volunteer some time with the organization to see how hard they work every day to make the neighborhood a better place to live, work and play.
As far as the banners go... the colored banners are for visitors (yes, hopefully from Canada and others) who do not know the area at all. A store owner can say "I am at Elmwood and Auburn- just look for the Blue Banners". It's a great way to coordinate it with a map and directory of the area. Another good example of wayfinding signage.
I like Newell's idea of having banners or even signs in the colors and shape of the banners pointing potential visitors from the Peace Bridge to the neighborhood. Taking it further,it would also be great to then direct visitors to Allentown, Hertle, downtown and points beyond.
Back on point, congratulations to the EVA on this new marketing effort. Responding back to AuburnAve's other point...I am sure that the EVA's primary focus is on Elmwood Avenue between North to Forest and associated sidestreets but knowing from experience will help any business along Elmwood or Allen as I had done as the first executive director of the then Forever Elmwood organization.
Peace out and keep up the excellent work- Tom Cooney
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stargazer
I have never heard so much complaining in my entire life as I have living here in Buffalo and i have lived all over the country! I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA.......... Kudos to the Urban Planners thats what makes a city great!!!!
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hippiegrrl
i think ani said it best, back in 2001, when she wondered what it would take for buffalo to rise... "...so they hang colorful banners off all the street lamps, just to prove they got no manners, no mercy and no sense." this just reminded me of that quote - no offense should be taken.
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