Meridian Marketing Strategy Vision

Downtown Meridian will be the true center and heart of a close knit community. Primary markets will be community residents, especially families, and the customers and clients already drawn to Meridian's other primary economic strengths: medical, retail, education, industrial and professional services facilities.

The focus of the strategy will be toward Connection… between customers and businesses, residents and the place of Meridian, heritage and future, young and old, citizens and government, the community and the Treasure Valley.

Family-oriented public spaces will be managed to host a wide range of social, cultural and civic activities. Sidewalks and street-level businesses will create an atmosphere strongly attractive to pedestrians, especially for socializing. Downtown will be a highly livable place that provides a rural town feel in an urban setting. A variety of urban housing opportunities will provide a built-in residential community that fosters city center business.

Circulation and parking systems will encourage people to come “to” Downtown, while facilitating “through” traffic around Downtown. Building densities and building heights will foster connection rather than sprawl.

Downtown development will emphasize seven key strengths:

1. Social retail at street level
2. Cultural, continuing education and recreational (“livability”) facilities
3. Offices for businesses that serve Meridian residents and economic strengths
4. Highly livable urban homes
5. A Treasure Valley business/ transit village along the rail corridor
6. A strong, highly visible civic presence
7. A circulation system for cars, bikes and pedestrians that makes Downtown a great place to be and to visit

Smart Growth vs. Sprawl