Tips and Ideas

• Take advantage of existing business associations. Look to your Chamber of Commerce or other organization to help organize and lead efforts to work with the City during a construction project. This may involve establishing a special committee under the umbrella of the organization.

• Create a new association or committee comprised of your neighbor businesses. Appoint leaders to attend construction progress meetings or communicate with the project manager on behalf of the group. If you don't have such a group already, this community alliance can continue after construction is complete.

• Aggressively communicate to your customers how to get to your business. You can do this through print and broadcast advertising, flyers, and direct mail. Place street maps in print ads and direct mail.

• Use your existing means of customer communication. Include construction information in your newsletters, bill-stuffers and invoices.

• Use creative ways to advertise on the radio, which is an effective way to reach motorists.

• Conduct a cooperative advertising campaign with a special logo and slogans.

• Use City-approved temporary signs directing motorists how to get to your business. The sign with the arrow in the above photo is an example of an acceptable guide sign, for which you need a City permit. Sign permit application forms are available on the City website or by calling Engineering Services at 441-7711.

• Create flyers, placemats and posters communicating how to navigate to your business through construction.

• Hold construction-related events, such as special sales, cookouts or festivals with activities, prizes and treats to draw customers. Distribute calendars of these events.

• Hold promotions offering discounts for frequent customers rewarding them for coming back.

• Plan your business remodeling when construction is at its peak near your property.

• Communicate travel routes with your suppliers and schedule deliveries at non-peak travel times.

• Run shuttle services from customer parking to businesses.

• Have employees car pool or take the bus.