Situation: Hanser & Associates was retained in 2004-2005 to manage the overall process of forming an advisory committee and supporting all of the work of the committee – to assess the feasibility of a Community Center and Performing Arts Center that would be jointly operated by the City of West Des Moines and West Des Moines Community Schools District (Iowa’s second largest school district).

PR Action: The firm helped select the advisory committee chairperson; formed the advisory committee; scheduled, organizing and conducted nearly 20 meetings of the committee; and compiled the project mailing list and maintained the same throughout the duration of the project. We also conducted executive interviews, focus groups and a community-wide survey of residents. Throughout the project we created Web site content to keep the community fully involved and informed. We also issued periodic announcements to the news media, as well as constantly preparing the advisory committee chairperson, City staff and Schools staff to conduct media interviews on behalf of the team.

Results: The results – and recommended architectural designs and cost estimates created by our Feasibility Study team, including RDG Planning and Design – were presented at a series of public meetings and gained overwhelming support of the attendees. Private fundraising is underway to fund construction costs and ongoing operating expenses of the facility; when fundraising is complete a bond referendum may be requested.

Posted: January 21, 2009 at 3:10 pm by sarag