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MDC looks online for downtown revitalization
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And in attempts to attract the younger generations which have grown up on MTV, Roman said the Web site will feature components already used by that generation including:
by Courtney Bacalso
Midland Reporter-Telegram
In hopes to replace studies and marketing firms that say young people would like to see urban living in downtown Midland, the Midland Development Corp. will launch an interactive Web site next month -- but with a "'Real World' twist."
Live Midland (pronounced interchangeably for a reason to be explained later) will feature four bloggers -- all under the age of 35 -- who will focus on 90 percent of downtown life and activities.
"We want to be real, live and raw," MDC board member Laura Roman, whose heading the downtown effort for the 4A corporation, told City Council members Tuesday. "And instead of all the marketing firms making statements, we will have real people interested in working, living or socializing in downtown Midland speak for themselves."
The Web site would help serve several MDC purposes, including downtown revitalization, recruiting and retaining young talent to Midland and showing developers there truly is public interest in transforming the sleepy downtown into an urban-living district (hence the pronunciation of live as "liv").
Roman pointed out MDC will not feed information or censor what the bloggers choose to write.
And in attempts to attract the younger generations which have grown up on MTV, Roman said the Web site will feature components already used by that generation including:
- a live 24/7 camera feed of downtown Midland (hence, the reason for the use of the pronunciation of "lahyv"). MDC officials said the camera would be placed first atop a building giving an aerial view of Wall Street from Big Spring Street toward Midland Center.
"And people will click on that," Councilman Scott Dufford said. "You have guys out there who have the live feed of the new (Dallas) Cowboy stadium's construction."
- a downtown event calendar that would include events beyond Midland Center such as performers at the Mahogany Bar at the Hilton or any other venues;
- "flickr," the ability for anyone to upload pictures;
- the use of uploaded video about downtown happenings and development;
- message boards ranging from topics about events, economic development and restaurant and entertainment recommendations;
- contests and Top-10 lists to encourage participation, interest and feedback from the target audience.
A kickoff event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Centennial Plaza from 5-8 p.m. During the event, the Web site -- www.livemidlandtexas.com -- will be launched and the four bloggers, who are volunteers, will be introduced.
The bloggers consist of people who already work, live or socialize in downtown Midland. And its MDC officials' hope that viewers will connect with the bloggers in the same way as MTV's Real World, the first reality television show.
"More importantly, we hope to refer developers to the Web site so they can see real people and hear real people talk about the interest in the redevelopment of downtown," MDC staff Pam Welch said.
Courtney Bacalso can be reached at c.bacalso@mrt.com.
Live Midland (pronounced interchangeably for a reason to be explained later) will feature four bloggers -- all under the age of 35 -- who will focus on 90 percent of downtown life and activities.
"We want to be real, live and raw," MDC board member Laura Roman, whose heading the downtown effort for the 4A corporation, told City Council members Tuesday. "And instead of all the marketing firms making statements, we will have real people interested in working, living or socializing in downtown Midland speak for themselves."
The Web site would help serve several MDC purposes, including downtown revitalization, recruiting and retaining young talent to Midland and showing developers there truly is public interest in transforming the sleepy downtown into an urban-living district (hence the pronunciation of live as "liv").
Roman pointed out MDC will not feed information or censor what the bloggers choose to write.
And in attempts to attract the younger generations which have grown up on MTV, Roman said the Web site will feature components already used by that generation including:
- a live 24/7 camera feed of downtown Midland (hence, the reason for the use of the pronunciation of "lahyv"). MDC officials said the camera would be placed first atop a building giving an aerial view of Wall Street from Big Spring Street toward Midland Center.
"And people will click on that," Councilman Scott Dufford said. "You have guys out there who have the live feed of the new (Dallas) Cowboy stadium's construction."
- a downtown event calendar that would include events beyond Midland Center such as performers at the Mahogany Bar at the Hilton or any other venues;
- "flickr," the ability for anyone to upload pictures;
- the use of uploaded video about downtown happenings and development;
- message boards ranging from topics about events, economic development and restaurant and entertainment recommendations;
- contests and Top-10 lists to encourage participation, interest and feedback from the target audience.
A kickoff event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Centennial Plaza from 5-8 p.m. During the event, the Web site -- www.livemidlandtexas.com -- will be launched and the four bloggers, who are volunteers, will be introduced.
The bloggers consist of people who already work, live or socialize in downtown Midland. And its MDC officials' hope that viewers will connect with the bloggers in the same way as MTV's Real World, the first reality television show.
"More importantly, we hope to refer developers to the Web site so they can see real people and hear real people talk about the interest in the redevelopment of downtown," MDC staff Pam Welch said.
Courtney Bacalso can be reached at c.bacalso@mrt.com.
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Knight wrote on Sep 11, 2008 2:22 PM:
Without being actually able to live downtown, what will these bloggers blog about? What they would like to see, not see, downtown? Comment on the snail's pace of the project so far? The price-tag?
MDC needs to clarify what the content will most likely be. "