The Downtown Revitalization Taskforce was formed from volunteers who attended a Downtown Merchants Town hall Meeting on April 12, 2000. The Redevelopment Department provides technical support to the taskforce. After organizing, the taskforce determined that their first order of business should be to better get to know their fellow merchants and business property owners. To this end, the Taskforce members personally contacted and interviewed 95 merchants and business property owners. The interviews were completed in early September 2000. They found that their motivation to locate in the downtown area includes: good location, affordability (i.e., inexpensive rent), and economic opportunity. Merchants reported they liked the central location, abundance of traffic, closeness to police and fire departments, and a clan streetscape. On the negative side, merchants reported that they felt there was insufficient parking, poor building/property maintenance, a lack of business variety and traffic moved too fast.

The Taskforce's next project involved surveying residents (potential shoppers) to determine their downtown shopping habits and desires. Residents from more outlying and newer residential areas (i.e., Southridge, The Landings, Village of Heritage, Hunter Ridge, Walnut Village, etc.) were surveyed for how they currently use downtown business services and what might cause them to visit and shop downtown. The survey found that most residents visit downtown business less than weekly. When they do come downtown, it is to shop, take care of banking, or pay bills. They feel downtown is safe during the day, but not a night. Finally, they would like to see more general retail businesses and restaurants in the downtown.

Meeting no less than monthly, the Taskforce has found that:

• Every downtown is unique.
• Revitalization downtown takes a long time.
• Successful downtown areas are attractive, clean and pedestrian friendly.
• Small highly visible improvements will equal big gains in business district success.
• Successful revitalization requires a solid working partnership between the business community and city government.
• Revitalization is strongly desired by both the local business community and the residents of Fontana.

The taskforce has invited professional downtown revitalization consultants to speak to them about steps they might take, and has visited neighboring communities that have posted successful downtown revitalization efforts. In late 2001, the Taskforce recommended that the City retain a consulting service to help create a consensus vision statement and develop a strategic plan.