The Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) Board of Advisors yesterday adopted a system of organizational performance measures. The priority indicators and metrics will help guide decision-making, monitor progress toward achieving the community’s goals for Downtown and support DGRI's operational efficiency and effectiveness.
The Board of Advisors also appointed Kayem Dunn and Nikos Monoyios to serve as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Mr. Monoyios becomes the first volunteer to graduate from one of DGRI’s citizen advisory Alliances to serve in an executive capacity on the organization’s core leadership group.
“The pace of the city building movement in Grand Rapids is quickening,” said DGRI President and CEO Kristopher Larson. “Our goal is to guide and maximize growth in a way that’s consistent with the community’s values. DGRI’s new performance measures and evolving leadership team will play a critical role in translating the community’s renewed vision for Downtown – as expressed through initiatives such as GR Forward – into action.”
DGRI is the organization responsible for place-making and place-management in the urban core of Grand Rapids, which anchors one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. The organization, established in 2013, serves as the singular management entity for the combined operations of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), the Downtown Improvement District, and the Monroe North Tax Increment Finance Authority.
The organizational conversation about performance measures began when DGRI staff proposed for consideration a set of 61 metrics to advance a results-focused, data-driven and fully transparent management philosophy. The DGRI Executive Committee refined the list into 7 priority areas of focus and 15 measures that will assist in organizational goal setting and performance tracking.
All 15 performance measures center on either specific goals emerging through GR Forward, investment accountability for the public finance tools managed by DGRI, or the efficient management of DGRI, a non-profit entity. More specifically, the measures include:
Key Investment Focus: Facilitating Investment
Indicators / metrics:
- Change in tax valuation within district(s)
- Private investment leveraged vs. TIF dollars invested
Key Investment Focus: Mobility
Indicators / metrics:
- Pedestrian counts
- Perception of visitor parking availability
Key Investment Focus: Livability
Indicators / metrics:
- Number of households
- Household affordability mix
Key Investment Focus: Inclusion & Participation
Indicators / metrics:
- Demographically representative leadership – Boards and Alliances
- Perception of Downtown as a welcoming and inclusive environment
Key Investment Focus: Marketing, Communications & Vibrancy
Indicators / metrics:
- Social media followers
- Economic return generated via DGRI events
Key Investment Focus: Safe, Clean & Beautiful
Indicators / metrics:
- Stakeholder-driven qualitative ratings on sidewalk cleanliness
- Percentage tree canopy in Downtown
DGRI Efficiency Measures
Indicators / metrics:
- Percentage of DID budget returned as direct services and improvements
- Speed of project implementation
- Resources/leverage raised to assist in project implementation
DGRI staff will establish baseline data in Fiscal Year 2016 and regularly report progress results as a component of the annual State of Downtown event. A permanent page on the DGRI website also will house the performance measures to ensure decision-makers, citizens and businesses have ready access to data that enables them to participate in informed discussions and support a culture of accountability.
DGRI also appointed Kayem Dunn and Nikos Monoyios to serve as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.
Ms. Dunn is a non-profit consultant who lives in the City of Grand Rapids. She was the first woman appointed to the Grand Rapids DDA, where she currently serves as Vice Chair, and helped lead the formation of DGRI. Ms. Dunn also currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.
Nikos Monoyios is a long range planner with The Rapid, the regional transit agency serving greater Grand Rapids. Mr. Monyios, a Grand Rapids resident, has served for two years as Chair of DGRI’s Alliance for Investment and will continue in that role.
