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T ASKS 1 Develop Assessment Methodology For Measuring Impacts of Corridor Initiatives As Well As The Value Of National Heritage Areas 2 Conduct Interviews With Key Stakeholders, Including Park Districts, The National Park Service And Local Officials Regarding Their Perceptions And Future Opportunities Regarding The Corridor 3 Compare The Impacts With Similar National Heritage Areas In Other Parts Of The Country

A S S E S S M E N T M E T H O D O L O G Y

Perform comprehensive SWOT analyses to determine the current value of the heritage area in terms of social, economic & environmental value Continue to engage key stakeholders in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors in order to gauge potential financial capital sources and future impact programs and projects.

Utilize:

Economic Impacts of National Heritage Area Visitor Spending: Summary Results from Seven National Heritage Area Visitor Surveys

written by Daniel J. Stynes and Ya-Yen Sun (Michigan State University) uses quantitative analysis techniques (direct, indirect & induced impacts) of visitor expenditures at National Heritage Area ( http://www.nps.gov/history/heritageareas/rep/mgm2%20summary%20repo rt.pdf

)

Potential Format to Chart Impacts and Values

Private Investment, Directly Related (in $) User Frequency on Loop Trails & Facilities Attendance at Corridor-Sponsored Events Local Tourism -Chamber of Commerce Data -Area Hotel Volume Park Sponsored Event Attendance -Compared to Past Attendance -More co-sponsorship from more diverse groups Community Conversation -newspapers, blogs, council meetings Community Awareness -involvement of school groups in tours, fieldtrips, projects Impacts of Corridor Initiatives Value of National Heritage Areas

K E Y S T A K E H O L D E R S U R V E Y

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5 question survey Stakeholders list included:

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OECA Board

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OCC Board

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OECC Board

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Cleveland MetroParks

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Sherwin Williams

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ALCOA

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Cleveland Clinic

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Summit County Planning

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Downtown Cleveland Alliance

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Cuyahoga County Planning Commission

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13 respondents

S U R V E Y R E S U L T S

Question 3. Aside from financial circumstances, the greatest challenge facing the heritage area is:

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marketing, publicity & branding increasing tourism & economic development government relations & policy integrating safety & security

61.5% 23.1% 15.4% 0.0% 8 responses 3 responses 2 responses 0 responses

Question 4. Should one of the main objectives of the heritage area focus on the attraction and development of small businesses serving the users of the heritage area?

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Yes No

76.9% 23.1% 10 responses 3 responses

Question 5. Please identify any potential future amenities and services that would benefit the heritage area (open-ended question).

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Completing the Towpath Trail & biking related (e.g., bike rentals)

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Kayak & canoe rentals along the river Retail development along the Towpath Trail (e.g., ice cream stands) CVSR related (e.g., extension to downtown and more stops) Camping grounds Farming 7 responses 2 responses 2 responses 2 responses 1 response 1 response “The most important next thing is to bring the trail from Harvard Avenue to downtown Cleveland! And the CVSR train, at least as far north as Steelyard Commons. Bicycle rental at Thornburg Station. Water, soda and ice cream stands along the long stretches that are not served...Thornburg to Harvard Avenue for example. Hopefully as the area becomes better known we could add B & B's at trail access points.”

MotorCities National Heritage Area

Overview: Preserve, Interpret, and Promote Automobile Heritage Location: Michigan, with over 10,000 sq. miles, in over 16 counties including 15 watersheds and 6 rivers.

Strengths

*diverse oversight: leadership council, stewardship council, board of directors *programs that get people active: car shows, rallies, motor tourism, online i-phone tours, Gilmore Garage *the programs ‘design is meant to increase tourism – economic development. http://www.motorcities.org/

Weakness

*the focus is on a very specific and single resource *such a particular appeal narrows the pool of potential users, and excludes those without an interest in auto history

Opportunities

*expand museum collections in order to preserve and maintain the most unique automobile-related artifacts, leading toward an identity known worldwide for its auto-manufacturing heritage; *potential to see substantial tourism (and so jobs, growth, tax base) *private investment in complementary products and services.

Threats

*dwindling population, lack of government funding to maintain programs *perception: auto manufacturing is dirty, unattractive *low interest in private investment *low and degrading environmental quality

I LLINOIS & M ICHIGAN N ATIONAL H ERITAGE A REA Strengths

Near major population center (Chicago) NPS site ( http://www.nps.gov/ilmi/ ) includes links for activities, kids, and planning a visit Website invites tourists withTravelocity trip planning prominently displayed on the homepage and other links to hotels, etc. in the corridor. http://www.heritagecorridorcvb.com/index.cfm

Canal boat excursions

Weaknesses

No towpath trail No major recreational or scenic areas along the route outside of Chicago Traveling the length of the I&M can only be done practically by automobile

Opportunities

Developing a multipurpose trail may get better buy-in by the local communities and would bring more people to the banks of the canal on a regular basis Better information is needed to drive people into the heritage, historic, and recreational sites that are in/around the I&M More recreational sites can to be developed in/around the I&M

Threats

The I&M has not yet completed its management plan Rising fuel prices – the heritage area targets visitors from outside the region to fly to Chicago and then drive the canal corridor Decreased or eliminated funding from congress may reduce the ability to fund programs in the corridor

Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor

Strengths

The State of New York

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Resources

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Branding

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Partner with the National Park

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Service Navigable waterway

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Weaknesses

Economy National awareness Sustainability

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Opportunities

2.7 Million People 234 Municipalities 4834 Square miles

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Threats

Uncontrolled development Invasive species Erosion Competition

RIVERS OF STEEL NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

-Created by Congress in 1996 -5,000 square miles in the eight counties of Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Greene, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland

S T R E N G T H S

“Routes to Roots” driving guide and Proximity to Pittsburgh Educational programs, Trails, 24/7 self guided tours via mobile devices. Tours include Frick Art & Historical Center & Battle of Homestead Historic preservation of manufacturing locations (W. A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop) Marketing & branding techniques (“Five Journeys” that tell the story of steel and regional manufacturing) Membership program

W E A K N E S S E S

Operating budget for the Bost Building Museum and other museums

O P P O R T U N I T I E S

Homestead Works National Park (38 acres) adjacent to the last blast furnaces from the Homestead Works

T H R E A T S

Federal funding Regional collaboration Historic Preservation