By Andrew Rocha
2019 has arrived, but before diving into all the fun and adventure that the new year has to bring, it is good to take a moment and look back at everything that happened in the year before. Though it may not be obvious, 2018 was actually a great year for downtown Stockton with so many changes and great projects that really made the area an even better place to live and enjoy.
2018 Hires
- In 2018, Mike Huber came on as the executive director of the Downtown Stockton Alliance. Before joining the Downtown Stockton Alliance, Mike Huber worked as the executive director of the Habitat for Humanity of San Joaquin County.
- Alex McBride became the Marketing and Communications Director for the Downtown Stockton Alliance. A Stockton native, Alex McBride uses social media and design to promote the growth of the downtown area.
- Andrew Rocha became the Copywriter for the Downtown Stockton Alliance. Another Stockton native, Andrew Rocha writes blog posts that promote and highlight local businesses and organizations.
Mike Huber Alex McBride Andrew Rocha
2018 Marketing Recap
- The Downtown Stockton Alliance went through a rebranding after the marketing committee decided to update their logo. The new logo is not just a brand for the Downtown Stockton Alliance, but also representative of the entire downtown area.
- An audio tour detailing the history of downtown Stockton and some of the older buildings has been in the works through 2018 and should be complete early this year.
- #PropertyMondays became a trend on social media for the Downtown Stockton Alliance. On Mondays, the Downtown Stockton Alliance highlights local properties and spaces for sale or lease.
2018 W.E.B (Walkable, Entertaining, Beautiful) Updates
- In collaboration with local business owners, the Downtown Stockton Alliance helped clean up Budd Alley and installed a shared trash compactor with recycling and compost units.
- Shopping carts have also been collected, cleaning up the downtown area and making it a more appealing place to live and work. In four months, the Downtown Stockton Alliance has cleared over 260 shopping carts from the streets and sidewalks.
- The Downtown Stockton Alliance has also expanded their power washing team and gotten new vehicles for the maintenance team. In June, they also employed Apollo Private Security. Apollo patrols 24/7 in the downtown district and is also available if you would like an escort to your vehicle.
- Our Maintenance team planted flowers in 25 planters within the downtown district, which were purchased by the DSA in 2018.
And that is just a small glimpse into all the work and accomplishments that came from downtown Stockton in 2018. Despite the negative stereotype some have of downtown Stockton, it is a great place that is constantly improving. With the help and effort of local residents, organizations, and businesses, the downtown community is sure to continue to grow and thrive throughout 2019 and the years to come.