[OMS_MANAGERS] Revenue Generation for Outdoor Spaces

[Megan Braunsten]

Hello Managers, Volunteers, and Sheri!

I am hoping this amazing group has ideas, examples, and/or possibly experience I can tap.  At the beginning of COVID, in an effort to keep our restaurants afloat when dining rooms were shut down, Beaverton closed a block within the heart of our Old Town, set out tables and chairs and eventually tents to provide outdoor seating for all businesses to send patrons to.  Over the past few years the 1st Street Dining Commons, as it was named, grew to include a kids play area, adult games, and be used by workers on their computers or having meetings, mom’s groups, happy hour goers, and so on…and has become a destination itself.  At the request of residents and businesses alike, we are now exploring ways to make it a permanent amenity in downtown, with a permanent covered area and longer-living equipment than the plastic playhouse I initially bought on Amazon and put together on what I swear was a 200 degree day.  😊

Ongoing management of such a space, however, isn’t something that is in either the city’s or our main street program’s regular budget.  It is different than a park or plaza because we’ve learned that spaces where people regularly eat need daily, and currently multiple times per day, attention.  (We also got fancy and added fire pits that need turning on/off, though those can be value-engineered out.)  Therefore, part of our current homework is to research ways the space itself can generate revenue that can go towards sustaining itself.  Some initial thoughts include activities such as:

  *   Leasing out areas for parties (similar to how Parks Dept’s rent gazebos at parks)
  *   Creating a kiosk within the seating structure that can be rented out to a small compatible business (aka ice cream vendor, etc.)
  *   Creating a space for a seasonal ice skating rink or similar activity
     *   (Ideas for similar activities desired!)
  *   Sponsorship opportunities for recognition within the space elements

Have any of you done any of the above within similar(ish) public spaces?
Do you know of examples of any of the above that we could research?
Do you have any other ideas for ongoing revenue generation for space management purposes?
Is anyone else having similar conversations in your community?

No idea is horrible!  Thank you very much for any assistance!

Sincerely yours,
Megan Braunsten (she, her, hers)
Office T, W, Th | Remote M, F | c: 503-523-9589
Development Project Manager | Community Development Department
City of Beaverton | PO Box 4755 | Beaverton OR  97076-4755
p: 503.526.2419 | fax: 503.526.2550 | mbraunsten at BeavertonOregon.gov<mailto:mbraunsten at BeavertonOregon.gov>

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