|
|
CITY OF
FAIRFIELD
CALIFORNIA
|
|
|
The Downtown Pulse: October 2021 |
|
In This Month's Edition... |
|
- REAP Program Provides Assistance
- Attractive & Unique Storefronts
- Take Back Event
|
|
- Third Annual Dia de los Muertos
- Spooktober Fest 2021
|
|
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
|
|
|
REAP Program Provides Assistance
The City understands that making storefront improvements cost money. To this end, the REAP Program (Revitalization & Enhancement Assistance Program) was established to encourage business and property owners to enhance their properties. Whether coming on their own, or because of Code Enforcement, the City has funds to assist with these improvements, including:
- Windows & Doors
- Stucco & Siding
- Paint
- Awnings
- Signage
- Outdoor dining or seating
The program works as follows:
- For minor projects (costs up to $10,000) the REAP Program offers grants up to $7,500 or 75% of total costs.
- For major projects (costs between $10,001 - $50,000) the REAP Program offers grants up to $25,000 or 50% of total costs.
The tagline for this program is “REAP the benefits, REAP the rewards!” We hope to continue to see new investment in Fairfield’s downtown, and as a result, the community and the businesses can reap the benefits and rewards of attractive and unique storefronts.
|
|
This Month - What's Happening Right Now? |
|
Attractive & Unique Storefronts Draw in Customers
As the owner of a downtown business, you need customers to stay in business and be profitable, and we understand that it is a challenge figuring out how to entice potential customers to come into your business, rather than the competition. Much of this comes down to the look and feel of your storefront. To catch the eye of customers, your store or restaurant needs to be attractive and unique.
Chain stores have store layout and storefronts designed by professional teams and have the advantage of an established name and reputation. We also understand that independent businesses must do it themselves and work harder to pull in the customers. There are many downtown businesses that have done a great job of drawing in customers with an attractive storefront. However, some properties still have deferred maintenance and other issues, which affect the overall aesthetics of downtown.
Fairfield’s Code Enforcement department works to uphold minimum standards that must be met for a property. The following two items are common issues that have been observed in downtown:
- Building blight – items on a building that are broken or in disrepair, including signage, building facades and awnings
- Window transparency – items placed inside windows that cover more than 25% of the window surface area
For property owners and businesses that have these two items, Code Enforcement will be sending out letters notifying you of the issue and asking for compliance. As stated already, Code Enforcement is only working to enforce minimum standards. Ultimately, a thriving and vibrant downtown needs a high percentage of businesses and property owners to go beyond the minimum and present customers with attractive and unique reasons to frequent their business.
|
|
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day!
Fairfield Police is partnering with the DEA to take expired prescription drugs off the streets on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day! On Saturday, Oct. 23rd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Fairfield Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration will provide the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the police department at 1000 Webster St for this Drive-Thru event. Unlike previous years, this year the drop-off location will be accepting liquids. Please be sure all medications are sealed tightly in a Ziploc bag. (Sites cannot accept needles or sharps, only pills or patches.) The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.
This is a Drive-Thru event in the visitors parking lot of the Police Station and City Hall, located at 1000 Webster St. Please follow the directions of police staff on-site. To keep everyone safe, the collection site will follow local COVID-19 guidelines and regulations.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the United States are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.
The FDA also provides information on how to properly dispose of prescription drugs. More information is available here:
For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the October 23rd Take Back Day event, go to http://www.DEATakeBack.com or Contact Fairfield Police Crime Prevention at 707-428-7789.
|
|
Third Annual Dia de los Muertos
For many in the Mexican and Latino community, Día de los Muertos is a vibrant celebration of life that honors those who have passed. Dia de los Muertos celebrates the lives of the deceased with food, drink, parties, and activities the dead enjoyed in life.
Join the Fairfield Parks & Recreation Department as we celebrate Día de los Muertos on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the Fairfield Community Center from 11 AM- 3 PM. The Fairfield Community Center is located at 1000 Kentucky Street.
Our free admission, family friendly event will feature traditional crafts, face painting, food trucks, and a marketplace for all things Día de los Muertos! Live performances will include beautiful ballet folklorico dancing and a mariachi band. Attendees are encouraged to bring a photo of a deceased family member to share and display on the community ofrenda.
|
|
Reach Us - Who Do I Contact To Learn More? |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
