DWC Proposes Flat Budget, Starts Planning Pizza Race

The Downtown Westfield Corporation is aiming for a flat budget while planning ahead for some of the agency's iconic programs.

The DWC board was briefed on the 2010 budget Monday night. The fiscal plan, adopted by the board, will be presented at Tuesday night's Town Council meeting. This is the sixth year that the corporation will be operating on a flat budget.  The operating budget looks very similar to last year's, with a total proposed budget of $390,573. DWC Executive Director Sherry Cronin explained to the board that the agency is looking to gain a bit more money from the annual 5k Pizza Race and from the rental of the conference room in the downtown agency's Elm Street headquarters.

The capital budget is proposed to be $156,000.  This budget covers several projects and initiatives that the corporation has on its radar.  The members talked about plans for realignment in Station Plaza North, which would change the flow of traffic on the North Avenue side of the train station. The proposal was suggested by the America in Bloom judges in their comments about the town after the competition last summer. The board hopes to have the project underway during 2010.

Plans are already under way for the Downtown Westfield 5K and Pizza Extravaganza.  This year the corporation is hoping to gain more corporate sponsorships to offset the costs of running this popular summer event. Last year there was a huge turnout of people on the day of the event who had not preregistered, resulting in the largest pizza race in town history. While DWC officials said they were pleased with the large turnout, they are encouraging more preregistration to ease the workload of event organizers on race day.

The corporation discussed both new businesses and the search for new businesses. Next to G.O. Kellers will be a new boutique called Splash which will carry mostly European and also some American sportswear. There is a branch of the same store currently in the Ukraine. The agency's design committee is working with store owners on the look of the new business.

The downtown agency is using new computer software to assist in the business recruitment department. The software allows DWC to conduct searches for the right businesses which meet the criteria the town is looking to have in the central business district. Officials said they hope this program will allow for an easier time in recruiting new businesses to the downtown.

The next Board meeting is set for March 22 at 7:30 p.m.