CITY OF
FAIRFIELD
CALIFORNIA
The Downtown Pulse: November 2021
In This Month's Edition...
  • Economic Development Launches Shop Downtown! E-Card Program
  • First Cultural Arts Advisory Committee Meeting
Dear Downtown Community Partners,

The purpose of this newsletter is to help communicate with you, our downtown partners, the many exciting programs and initiatives that are underway or being planned by the City and City partners to help strengthen and revitalize Downtown.  

We will send this newsletter out on a monthly basis to keep you informed, to provide key City contact information, and to start the dialogue on ways we can partner together to revitalize our Downtown. We want to hear from you and work with you to accomplish the common goal of a strong and vibrant Downtown! 

The following are programs and activities that we wanted to highlight this month. Feel free to get in touch with any of the contacts listed below if you have any questions or want to learn more about programs and activities that interest or impact you.
Business
Resource
Spotlight
Economic Development Launches Shop Downtown! E-Card Program!

The City of Fairfield Economic Development Division is proud to announce the new Shop Downtown! E-Card, a community-based digital gift card that makes it fun and easy to keep local spending local. The City is partnering with a company called Yiftee, to provide the cards.  Yiftee is now working with more than 265 communities and over 10,000 merchants.  
 
In order to get the word out to the community, the City is marketing the program on our website www.fairfield.ca.gov/shop, and social media platforms, as well as a billboard at the Auto Mall throughout the month of December and on into 2022. The marketing message to the community is simple – supporting our local businesses is so important, and that participating in this program means supporting the heart of what makes our community unique.  

The purchase of a Shop Downtown! E-Card creates a pool of cash that local businesses in downtown Fairfield can rely on. Studies have shown that local independent retailers recirculate 47% of their revenue back into the community, while only 14% of national chains’ revenue stays in the community. More dramatically, restaurants recirculate 73% of their revenue back into the community, versus only 30% for national chains.  

The cards can be purchased on the City website here, and can be used at any downtown shop that wishes to participate.  All-digital and always available by phone, the Shop Downtown! E-Card is great for birthdays, holidays, teacher appreciation, coach gifts, or just to show your appreciation to a friend. For a limited time, the City is offering a bonus card with a purchase – spend $40 and get a $10 bonus or spend $60 and get a $15 bonus!   

For more information or to participate as a merchant in the program, please contact Fairfield Downtown Coordinator, Debi Tavey, at debidowntowncoordinator@gmail.com or call (707) 334-1733. 
Future of Fairfield - What's Happening Down The Road?
First Cultural Arts Advisory Committee Meeting

The first Cultural Arts Advisory Committee Meeting was convened on Tuesday, November 30. Staff facilitated this meeting among the committee members which consisted of local artists, community leaders, and other residents of Fairfield who are passionate about public art. The committee produced a list of projects to achieve within a short-, intermediate-, and long-range timeframe. Members advised staff to pursue the following projects in the near term: an exhibit informing the public of the Art in Public Spaces program and projects, a second mural, a community mural involving public participation, and a photography competition to display youth talent and creativity. Last, the advisory committee will work with staff in an active, ongoing effort to identify the key priorities of the Art in Public Spaces Policy. 

The following is the list of short-, intermediate-, and long-range projects and goals that were identified: 

Short Range
  
  • Art in empty storefronts  
  • Art in public spaces exhibit
  • Chalk Contest
  • Large Mural 
  • Youth photo contest & exhibit
  • Community Mural Project
  • More art & signage on businesses 
  
Intermediate 
  
  • Art Gallery
  • Seat “County Seat” sculptures (chairs, benches, etc.) throughout Fairfield 
  • “Hearts” sculptures throughout the Heart of Fairfield 
  • A Downtown Dance Studio 
  • "Art Explosion" event
  • Food & Art Walk 
  • Youth Art Festival (Art, Music, Plays, Visual & Performing Arts) 

Long Range 

  • Multiple galleries in Downtown Fairfield
  • Visual Arts Center (people of all ages can create art, take classes, and use open studios) 
  • Functional arts pieces in parks: Allan Witt Park and Civic Pond
  • Incorporate reclaimed materials to create environmentally-themed art
  • Artwork throughout Fairfield: Wayfinding 
  • Open Studio 
  • Art throughout Fairfield 

The advisory committee guides the City in identifying and implementing public art projects throughout Fairfield. However, community members are encouraged to contact the program manager with comments, ideas, and questions. Jonathan Luong can be reached at (707) 428-7463 or email at jluong@fairfield.ca.gov.
Reach Us - Who Do I Contact To Learn More?
City Staff Contacts
Dwayne Dalman — Economic Development
Looking for help with your business questions? Dwayne can guide you with locating business resources, assist with finding tenants, and help with investing in downtown.
Jorge Barrera — Economic Development
Jorge will share information on how to help you invest and participate in the revitalization of downtown.
Dawn La Bar — Homeless Services
Need information on homelessness? Dawn can address non-emergency issues, connect unsheltered residents to services, and talk about efforts to reduce homelessness.
Marisa Cumpian — Public Works
(707) 428-7407
Have maintenance questions or concerns in downtown? Contact the Public Works Corp Yard for issues with potholes, sidewalks, landscaping, traffic signals, graffiti, service interruptions, and broken streetlights.
Ilea Martin — Police Department
Looking for resources to help with your crime prevention efforts? Ilea is the person to ask for Business Trespass, Business Watch, and Business Security Assessments
1000 Webster Street
Fairfield, California 94533