To: TCOM 2010 Class

From: Emma Clark

Date: April 25, 2023
Subject: Proposal to improve the downtown atmosphere to help our small businesses

Introduction
When taking a walk around downtown, it is not hard to see that it is a blank canvas lacking color
and creativity. Our local community has been embracing art and culture through recent events,
from the Makers Market every month to the Embracing Culture parade at the beginning of the
year. When these events are not being held, though, the downtown area is quite bleak and
uninteresting to look at. We have so many amazing small businesses that have chosen this area to
place their roots, and I believe we owe it to them to make the space interesting and beautiful to
bring the community here even when there are not big events taking place. The slow seasons are
hard for our small businesses, so I am proposing that we bring the excitement downtown year-
round to help them out and bring art to life within our streets.
Research Proposal
To make sure we are implementing effective measures that our local community will enjoy, I am
proposing that we create and distribute a survey that ascertains what exactly they think would
bring life to downtown. We will also ask them to verify whether they believe there needs to be
any changes made as well, making it so those who don’t see a need for change can voice their
opinion as well. This research will help us determine exactly what we should implement and
bring into the space that we know for sure they will enjoy, as well as what they would like to see
remain as it is.
Schedule
For this project, we will need around three weeks to conduct our research. Each week is in
business days, Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Week 1  Create survey and physical flyers on Monday
 Copy link to online survey to community social media pages
on Tuesday
 Pin flyers up on local flyer boards in the downtown buildings
with a link and QR code to the online survey by EOD Tuesday
 Schedule Q&A session in the City Hall regarding the proposal
for Monday of week 2 by Friday
Week 2  Host Q&A session to assess questions and concerns about the
topic and interest people to take the survey on Monday
 Collect and review survey responses Tuesday – Friday
Week 3  Begin drafting the recommendation report on Monday, and
have it finalized by EOD Friday
Qualifications
My qualifications for conducting this research and proposal are my experience both in
volunteering with the city and working for a small business downtown. Due to this, I have
experienced both sides of this proposal by knowing the effects of the environment on a small
business as well as what the city’s processes and stances on making changes are. I have
connections in both areas as well from my experience, having formed personal relationships with
those working for the city and with many of the owners of the local businesses.
Team Roles
Researchers (2) The team’s researchers will be responsible for analyzing and forming
conclusions on the survey responses.
Marketing (1) The marketing team member will be responsible for creating and
distributing the survey, creating and distributing the flyers, and
scheduling the Q&A session.
Writer (1) The writer will be responsible for drafting the recommendation report
based on the notes from the researchers.

Conclusion
I am proposing a survey to analyze the need for changes in the downtown atmosphere to bring
life and community into the space and attract our locals to the small businesses who call it home.
It is my belief that adding art and culture into the area would bring more people to it and bring
more opportunity for growth. Allowing local artists and those with a passion for their culture to
bring these things to life would contribute to education, support our neighbors, and build a
tighter community of people in our downtown area while also bringing customers to our small
businesses. I believe this proposed project would benefit our city in countless ways.