Hospitality Report
Responsible Hospitality Institute (RHI) recently assisted Rock Island with an assessment of our hosplitality sector. RHI is a non-profit organization that helps communities create downtowns that are safe and vibrant place to socialize.
A series of three sessions were held with the community:
- Community Engagement Forum - 7/17 & 7/18/07 RHI will conducted preliminary interviews with "influentials" from the four main stakeholder groups - hospitality, safety, development, and community - to determine priorities and review trends and issues.
- Roundtable discussions - 9/12 & 9/13/07 RHI talked to people in small group discussions. Topics included identifying trends, issues, gaps, and resources for our downtown hospitality zone.
- Leadership Summit - 10/17 & 10/18/07 individuals representing the 4 groups were identified to work toward a consensus and develop an action plan.
Following are the core elements RHI has identified for planning, managing, and policing hospitality zones.
- Music & Entertainment
Progressive cities nurture the development of music and entertainment opportunities for diverse ages, lifestyles, and cultures.
- Multi-Use Sidewalks
Planning for outdoor dining, street entertainment, and vendor shopping while managing panhandling and complying with ADA restrictions is essential to success.
- Security, Service & Safety
As a cafe society grows, so too will the need to prevent service to underage drinkers, over-service of alcohol, and intoxication, while serving the needs of various demographic segments through provision of safe sociability options for all.
- Community Policing
Reducing risk, increasing safety, and ensuring a high quality of life requires new collaborations among police, businesses, residents, and community.
- Late-Night Integrated Transportation
Planning for a comprehensive network of transportation services, such as “safe ride” programs, taxi stands, and extended public transportation hours can help cities ensure safer and more efficient access.
- Quality of Life
Mixed-use development places residents and commercial businesses in close proximity, often resulting in conflicts involving noise, litter, and other problems that need to be collaboratively managed.
To download RHI's final report click here.
For more information on RHI visit www.rhiweb.org
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