Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation Statement of Activities For The Years Ended December 31, 2013 and 2012

2013 2012

UnrestrictedTemporarily Restricted Total Unrestricted

Temporarily Restricted Total

Support and Revenue

City of Schenectady assessment revenue 219,736 264 220,000 220,000 — 220,000

Grants 165,172 — 165,172 312,207 — 312,207

Donations 50,325 — 50,325 41,443 — 41,443

Donated services 33,178 — 33,178 23,871 — 23,871

Ticket sales and booth fees 8,764 — 8,764 10,984 — 10,984

Marketing participation 9,778 — 9,778 5,452 — 5,452

Interest 15,426 — 15,426 13,565 — 13,565

Total support and revenue 502,379 264 502,643 627,522 — 627,522

Reclassifications

Net assets released from restrictions –

Satisfaction of program restrictions 5,131 (5,131) — — — —

Total support, revenue and reclassifications 507,510 (4,867) 502,643 627,522 — 627,522

Expenses

Program Services

Environmental enhancement 289,669 — 289,669 269,022 — 269,022

Business promotion and marketing 222,091 — 222,091 210,695 — 210,695

Facade program 5,131 — 5,131 — — —

Main Street project 253 — 253 131,889 — 131,889

Total program services 517,144 — 517,144 611,606 — 611,606

Supporting Services

Administration 23,505 — 23,505 31,617 — 31,617

Fundraising and development 44,627 — 44,627 42,937 — 42,937

Total supporting services 68,132 — 68,132 74,554 — 74,554

Total expenses 585,276 — 585,276 686,160 — 686,160

Change in Net Assets (77,766) (4,867) (82,633) (58,638) — (58,638)

Net Assets, Beginning of Year 694,730 51,131 745,861 753,368 51,131 804,499

Net Assets, End of Year $ 616,964 $ 46,264 $ 663,228 $ 694,730 $ 51,131 $ 745,861

Mission StatementOur mission is to promote Downtown

Schenectady as a premier location for

commerce, recreation and living by

enhancing, facilitating and supporting

economic and cultural growth.

Board of Directors ❑ Richard Antokol, President

Antokol, Reisman & Coffin

❑ Chris Spraragen, Vice President Schenectady Hardware & Electric Co.

❑ Sid Ramotar, Treasurer KeyBank

❑ Austin Fisher, Secretary Fountains Spatial

❑ Rudy Grant Experience & Creative Design

❑ Scott Johnson Omnis Computers

❑ Jack McDonald John M. McDonald Engineering, PC

❑ Joseph O’Connor TW&A Construction Management

❑ Heather Peterson Watson, Peterson & Company CPAs, PLLC

Staff ❑ James Salengo, Executive Director

❑ Colleen Merays, Assistant Director

❑ Gail White, Office Manager

Outdoor Maintenance Team ❑ Joseph Diamond, Supervisor

❑ David “Red” Serra

Design by, the Creative Advantage, inc.

Message from the Board President and Executive DirectorEach year, the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation (DSIC) works on behalf of property owners, businesses and stakeholders to provide important supplemental services for our district. Some of our efforts are very visible to the public, such as our daily sidewalk cleaning program, summer flower baskets, winter holiday decorations and year-round promotional banners. Some are aimed at a targeted audience, such as our quarterly Explore Downtown Schenectady supplement in the Daily Gazette, while others are completely subtle, such as our behind-the-scenes support of local programs, events and committees. Each is important in its own way to fulfilling the mission of the DSIC.

There have been a number of additional transformational projects in Downtown Schenectady over the past year, including the newly-renovated Erie Boulevard, the new Transfinder headquarters at 440 State Street and new high-end apartments at 245 Broadway, among others. These are thanks in large part to the tireless efforts of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority working with the City of Schenectady, Schenectady County and other public partners, along with visionary private investors. As downtown continues to grow, so do the responsibilities of the DSIC. Improved streetscapes mean more cleaning, flowers and banners. New buildings and mixed-use renovations mean more businesses to promote and more residents to serve. With ongoing support from our funders and partners, our small but dedicated staff is up for the challenge.Special thanks go out to our volunteer Board of Directors for overseeing the governance of the not-for-profit Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation. Their time and talents are essential to the DSIC’s continued viability and success.This Annual Report gives you a snapshot of the DSIC’s diverse activities throughout the last 12 months in the areas of environmental enhancement & maintenance, communications, promotions and community support. We encourage you to read through the report and familiarize yourself with the DSIC’s specific areas of focus. As always, please feel free to contact the staff or board with any questions, comments or suggestions.

Richard Antokol James Salengo President, Board of Directors Executive Director

2013 2012

UnrestrictedTemporarily Restricted Total Unrestricted

Temporarily Restricted Total

Support and Revenue

City of Schenectady assessment revenue 219,736 264 220,000 220,000 — 220,000

Grants 165,172 — 165,172 312,207 — 312,207

Donations 50,325 — 50,325 41,443 — 41,443

Donated services 33,178 — 33,178 23,871 — 23,871

Ticket sales and booth fees 8,764 — 8,764 10,984 — 10,984

Marketing participation 9,778 — 9,778 5,452 — 5,452

Interest 15,426 — 15,426 13,565 — 13,565

Total support and revenue 502,379 264 502,643 627,522 — 627,522

Reclassifications

Net assets released from restrictions –

Satisfaction of program restrictions 5,131 (5,131) — — — —

Total support, revenue and reclassifications 507,510 (4,867) 502,643 627,522 — 627,522

Expenses

Program Services

Environmental enhancement 289,669 — 289,669 269,022 — 269,022

Business promotion and marketing 222,091 — 222,091 210,695 — 210,695

Facade program 5,131 — 5,131 — — —

Main Street project 253 — 253 131,889 — 131,889

Total program services 517,144 — 517,144 611,606 — 611,606

Supporting Services

Administration 23,505 — 23,505 31,617 — 31,617

Fundraising and development 44,627 — 44,627 42,937 — 42,937

Total supporting services 68,132 — 68,132 74,554 — 74,554

Total expenses 585,276 — 585,276 686,160 — 686,160

Change in Net Assets (77,766) (4,867) (82,633) (58,638) — (58,638)

Net Assets, Beginning of Year 694,730 51,131 745,861 753,368 51,131 804,499

Net Assets, End of Year $ 616,964 $ 46,264 $ 663,228 $ 694,730 $ 51,131 $ 745,861

❑ Sidewalk Cleaning & Weeding Three full-time and one seasonal employees, seven days/week

❑ Flower Baskets & Street Planters 234 hanging baskets, 38 planters installed and maintained

❑ Banners Downtown promotional banners, seasonal banners, Stockade Historic District banners and banners for Union Hockey NCAA Division I Championship

❑ Snow Clearing Providing pedestrian access to intersections, crosswalks, crossing signals and garbage cans

❑ Winter Holiday Decorations Lighted wreaths, garland pole wraps, City of Schenectady Holiday Tree (sponsored by KeyBank)

❑ Special Projects Select graffiti and sticker removal; garbage can refurbishment (with City and Metroplex); Schenectady Greenmarket setup and breakdown assistance

The DSIC’s Environmental Enhancement &

Maintenance program provides year-round

supplementary services essential to the

cleanliness, beauty and safety of Downtown

Schenectady. These efforts are made possible

by the continued support of downtown

property owners and an annual grant from the

Schenectady County Metroplex Development

Authority. DSIC responsibilities include:

Photo: Marc Schultz/Gazette Photographer

❑ Explore Downtown Schenectady The DSIC continued to partner with the Gazette Newspapers on a quarterly publication featuring stories on Downtown Schenectady businesses, events and trends; it also provides a popular option for downtown advertisers. New for 2014, the piece has been redesigned as a tab-style publication that is inserted directly into 40,000 newspapers.

❑ Schenectady Dining Guide The DSIC and Chamber of Schenectady County partnered on a new 2014 edition of the popular Schenectady Dining Guide. 25,000 copies are printed and professionally distributed throughout the region.

❑ Downtown Schenectady Visitor Guide & Map An updated edition of DSIC’s Visitor Guide & Map will soon welcome visitors to Downtown Schenectady for dining, shopping, entertainment, events and attractions. 50,000 copies will be printed and professionally distributed around the region.

❑ Outdoor Wayfinding Maps Newly updated business maps will soon be installed in kiosks located on State Street between Erie Boulevard and Clinton Street.

❑ DSIC Website www.downtownschenectady.com The DSIC’s website provides current news on downtown activities and developments, a calendar of events, an interactive map of downtown businesses, information on the DSIC itself and more.

❑ Downtown Schenectady This Week E-Newsletter The DSIC’s popular events-related e-newsletter showcases the wide variety of happenings in Downtown Schenectady each week. Sent to approximately 2,400 unique recipients and growing.

❑ Facebook & Twitter Pages The DSIC regularly updates its Facebook and Twitter pages to share current information on downtown events, businesses and economic development.

❑ Energize Your Business E-Newsletter This monthly newsletter is targeted specifically to Downtown Schenectady entrepreneurs and includes tips for success and available business resources.

Through print and online communications, the DSIC

makes every effort to raise public awareness of Downtown

Schenectady’s many positive developments, vibrant

businesses and numerous activities. Highlights include:

❑ Travers Restaurant Week 2013 August 18-22, 2013 – 3rd annual promotion, coordinated with the Chamber of Schenectady County. 10 restaurants offered multi-course meals for the fixed price of $18.64, honoring the first year of the Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

❑ Wing Walk 2013 October 3, 2013 2nd annual promotion coordinated with the Schenectady County Visitors Agency at Proctors. Hundreds of visitors sampled chicken wings at 14 participating restaurants and voted for their favorite recipe.

❑ Holiday Open House 2013 December 7, 2013 – 10th annual promotion. Hundreds of visitors celebrated the Holiday Season in downtown with kids’ activities at Schenectady City Hall, live music, photos with Santa, horse & carriage rides, business specials and more.

❑ Holiday Shopping Pass 2013 28 participating businesses stamped purchase amounts on customer passes during the holidays. 370 completed passes filled with $150 in stamps were returned, representing $55,500 in sales. This was a 19% increase over 2012.

❑ Holiday Window Decorating Contest 2013 16 businesses participated and downtown visitors cast votes for their favorite windows.

❑ Schenectady Restaurant Week 2014 February 24-March 2, 2014 – 9th annual promotion coordinated with the Chamber of Schenectady County. 26 restaurants offered multi-course meals for the fixed price of $20.14. Surveys from 700 customers showed: More than 5,000 meals were served; 25% lived

outside of the County; 40% were visiting a restaurant for the first time; 52% would not have dined out if not for Restaurant Week.

❑ Downtown Schenectady Merchant Mash Up – The Spud Challenge May 15, 2014 – 12 restaurants set up tastings inside of 12 shops for an evening of food, shopping and entertainment. Restaurants competed in The Spud Challenge by creating unique potato recipes and visitors voted for their favorite dish.

The DSIC’s promotions are designed to support Downtown

Schenectady businesses by connecting residents and visitors

directly with the district’s many independent restaurants, shops

and services. DSIC promotions over the past year included:

❑ 2013 Building Block Party October 10, 2013 – The DSIC’s largest annual fundraiser took place at Proctors, with more than 400 attendees, food from 23 restaurants and presentation of the annual Building Block Awards. The event raised nearly $36,000.

❑ Historic Street Sign Project The DSIC is acting as fiscal agent for a project to bring historic street signs to the downtown’s Lower Union Street corridor and Union Triangle. Headed by resident Beth Petta, the project will unify the on-street look of Schenectady’s five historic districts.

❑ Union College First Year Student Orientation The DSIC continued to partner with the Union College Kenney Community Center on providing downtown tours and business introductions for its first-year students.

❑ Union College Internship Program Union College interns provided several hundred hours of assistance to the DSIC throughout the year in the areas of communications, promotions and research.

❑ Chamber Ribbon Cuttings The DSIC proudly represented Downtown Schenectady at the Chamber of Schenectady County’s many grand openings and ribbon cuttings within the downtown district.

❑ Event & Program Support The DSIC provided direct financial, planning and/or labor support to a variety of community events and programs. Examples include: • Chamber Business Awards Committee • Chamber Gazette Holiday Parade Committee • Jazz on Jay Sponsorship • JayFest Staff Support • Kids’ Arts Festival Committee & Sponsorship • Schenectady Ambassadors Committee • Schenectady Farmers Market Staff Support • Schenectady Greenmarket Staff Support • Schenectady Pride Festival Sponsorship & Staff Support

The DSIC continues to foster important relationships

within the Downtown Schenectady community, resulting in

numerous professional collaborations, rewarding sponsorship

opportunities and essential financial and volunteer support for

our programs and services. Highlights include:

143 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305 | 518-377-9430 | www.downtownschenectady.com