Originally written for Forbes.com, the Independent writes a summary of the article.
Livermore was the topic of a Forbes Leadership story published Dec. 15.
Headlined, “A Community And Its Businesses Thrive Under A Shared Vision,” the article says of Livermore, “One city’s main street in particular also tells the story of how a compelling vision can unify a business community, allowing it to survive the worst of times and thrive in the best of times.”
The blog points out that over the past ten years, downtown Livermore has gone from a four-lane highway for a main street to a downtown with an award winning design that boasts more than 100 retail stores, restaurants, wine bars, craft-beer tap rooms, movie theaters and a popular performing arts center.
Carmine Gallo, the writer, sat down with Livermore Downtown, Inc. executive director Rachael Snedecor and City Manager Marc Roberts to find out what Livermore did differently and what can all business leaders learn from its experience?
Gallo writes: The big lesson: Nothing great happens without a shared vision of a bright future.
Roberts told him, “The goal was for the downtown to once again function as the vibrant heart of the community.”
A series of public ‘visioning’ workshops were held in 2002 and 2003. The workshops were not intended to tell the community what downtown would look like; the workshops were meant to ask the community what they wanted.
The story states that participants suggested, “a performing arts center, free interactive fountains and parks for families, walking spaces, exclusive events, wine country establishments like wine bars and tasting rooms, a vibrant mix of dining, retail and entertainment options.” Gallo notes, that while some people didn’t get everything they wanted, they got enough to feel ownership over their neighborhood.
In 2008 when the bottom fell out of the housing market, an interesting thing happened in Livermore’s downtown, writes Gallo. Merchants, landlords and the community treated each other as family. Leases were re-negotiated, businesses partnered with each other, shoppers and diners chose to keep their dollars local and flocked to downtown. At a time when stores around the country were shutting their doors, retail sales taxes from downtown merchants in Livermore continued to rise 5 to 8 percent a year, even during the down economy.
Today downtown Livermore is booming. Vacancy rates— which exceeded 30 percent a decade ago— now hover at 1 percent for retail and restaurants.
The city is home to 50 wineries and an exploding craft beer scene.
Roberts stated, “Start at the end. Without a clear goal and vision you will never succeed. If your organization does not clearly define its future, someone else will determine the future for you.”
Gallo concludes his blog, “In 2016, Livermore will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its downtown revival. Livermore’s transformation reminds me of a quote by Bill Gates: ‘Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.’ ”
Gallo quotes Roberts, “Dream really big, get buy-in, and be excited about the possibilities. The impossible is possible; it just takes a little longer.”