Borough Hall Action Steps
Form Capital Campaign Committee and NFP
WHO: Steering Committee
HOW: 20-30 members of the current steering committee and other residents of Coopersburg will form the steering committee.The committee will select 2-3 chairs who will lead
WHEN: 1st quarter 2020
Negotiate lease of town hall
WHO: Capital Campaign Committee
HOW: Borough lease building to new NFP
WHEN: 1st quarter 2020
Hire Executive Director
WHO: Capital Campaign Committee
HOW: Alchemy recommends hiring Aidan Gilrain-McKenna as the first executive director. Aiden will work alongside the Capital Campaign Committee to be the public face of the organization, and lead the programming execution of the plan forward.
WHEN: 2nd quarter 2020
Determine true capital costs
WHO: Capital Campaign Committee
HOW: Hire local architects and engineers to give true estimates for cost of construction. Alchemy estimates the space will need about $500,000 worth of construction and equipment costs. The $500,000 number needs to be drilled down on and set. Get real renderings from the architect and use in promotional plan.
WHEN: 2nd quarter 2020
Launch Capital Campaign
WHO: Capital Campaign Committee
HOW:
Part 1: Using the fundraising list Alchemy will provide as a guide, add to the list by asking all CCC members to bring at least 3 names to the table of who can be asked to donate over $1,000. Create a timeline and map of who will ask who for funding, with one of the CCC chairs and Executive Director present at all asks of over $5,000.
Part 2: Create marketing and promotional materials both digital and to advertise the plan and leave behind with potential donors. Get the info online on a website (perhaps this site) and create a social media strategy for weekly engagement.
Part 3: Include at least 3 major events throughout the 12-18 months of fundraising to keep public engagement on the up and up.
WHEN: 2nd quarter 2020
Identify rental partners
WHO: Executive Director and CCC leadership
HOW:
Part 1: Determine who will operate the coffeeshop and negotiate lease terms. Finalize termswith High School and Community College
Part 2: 2 options here
- CCC raises all the funding and builds out space for the tenant, where tenant’s rent will be higher and cost to build will be amortized over time or
- Tenant finances build out, meaning CCC’s capital funding amount decreases, but rent will also decrease
WHEN: 2nd quarter 2020
Finalize operational budget
WHO: Executive Director and Board
HOW: Identify and contract leaders for all classes, events and programming in the space. Use budget in this plan as a guide but remember these ideas are fluid and will change.
WHEN: 3rd quarter 2020
Launch Programming
WHO: Executive Director and Board
HOW: Ideally the space is ready to host at least 1 major event, even though construction has not started or is not complete. This is necessary to show the community what the building can be and will help lure the second/third round of donors who tend to be more fickle and want to see this space in action before they commit.
WHEN: 3rd quarter 2020
Borough Hall Action Steps
Construction and fundraising continue
WHO: Executive Director and CCC
HOW: There will be a lull inf undraising, you will need to constantly be looking for earned media and update the public. Social media is very important here. This is a reminder that this process is hard and you will hear more “No’s” than “Yes’s” but not to give up, it will all work out.
WHEN: 4th quarter 2020 – 2nd quarter 2021
Grand opening
WHO: Executive Director and CCC
HOW: It’s your big day, make a big deal out of it
WHEN: 3rd – 4th quarter 2021
Public Art Action Steps
Determine Location for Artwork/Signage
WHO: Steering Committee
HOW: Use the guide outlined here.
WHEN: 1st quarter 2020
Determine new logo/slogan
WHO: Capital Campaign Committee
HOW: Go back to PENN DOT with previous design
WHEN: 1st quarter 2020
Create funding plan
WHO: Steering Committee
HOW: Each new sign and art piece will need approximately $5,000 in funding (Artist payment, construction, execution). These funds should come from the following sources: Coopersburg
WHEN: 2nd quarter 2020
Identify artists
WHO: Steering Committee
HOW: Place ads in Allentown area and social media calling for new artists to submit to a predetermined application and criteria
WHEN: 2nd quarter 2020
Get PENN DOT Sign Off
WHO: Steering Committee
HOW: Work with Leo Bagley and others at PENNDOT to finalize and approve design and locations
WHEN: 2nd quarter 2020
Build pieces
WHO: Steering Committee and artists
HOW: Construct pieces
WHEN: 3rd quarter 2020
