Forming of Business Group Is Forum Topic

Business people interested in forming a downtown business association are invited to a meeting Thursday to hear what other cities are doing.

Speaking at the free event will be Rich Bradley, president of the Washington-based International Downtown Assn., and Steve Gibson, president of the Riverside Downtown Assn.

“They will describe the ‘menu,’ what other people are doing,” said Anaheim redevelopment manager Robert Zur Schmiede.

Based on the response of business owners and others attending the forum, Zur Schmiede said, a series of workshops may be held at a later date to explore specific strategies for revitalizing downtown Anaheim.

The forum is being sponsored by the city to encourage the formation of a downtown business association.

Organizational meetings for the group were first held in January, and now subcommittees are working on promotional and marketing activities.

Anaheim has offered to fund the association during its initial year and continue to provide staff support, but the ultimate responsibility for running the organization will fall on the downtown business community.

“There’s kind of a fine line between letting people know what’s out there and what they can do as opposed to leading them,” Zur Schmiede said.

The feedback the city has received so far from local business owners indicates that the association probably will focus on having more special events downtown.

Ideas include ethnic music concerts, arts and crafts fairs, carnivals and seasonal activities.

Another idea is to produce a walking guide to the various artworks installed in the downtown area, Zur Schmiede said.

The forum will be from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the UCI Extension Center, 411 W. Broadway.

Reservations are available by calling the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency at (714) 254-4300, Ext. 4833.