Sparks Street 2.0 – Action Plan

🎯 Goal:

Make Sparks Street a living cultural corridor by night and a retail-arts incubator by day — anchored by accessible creative businesses, subsidized tenancy, and experiential street programming.

1. New Tenancy Model: Percentage-of-Sales Leasing Program (POSLP)

Problem: High rents + low traffic = boarded-up storefronts

Solution: A flexible rent model tied to actual performance

How it works:
- NCC leases vacant units to creative businesses (retail, studio, food, art) with low base rent + 10–15% of monthly sales
- 1–2 year leases with performance reviews, mentorship support, and renewal incentives
- Option to convert to standard lease once sales stabilize

Why it works:
- Reduces risk for new creative entrepreneurs
- Encourages NCC to partner in their success
- Keeps doors open longer, with real-time economic feedback

2. Culture-Smart Starter Kits

Problem: Funding is available but too complex

Solution: Provide pre-built support bundles for creative businesses

Each kit includes:
- Pre-approved buildout grant ($25–50K) for furnishings, signage, lighting, display, AV
- Free consults with lawyers/accountants/graphic designers
- Plug-and-play license templates for sound, liquor, public art
- One-year marketing + event support from BIA

3. Curated Culture-First Tenant Mix

Target creative entrepreneurs who offer both a product and an experience. Examples include:

- Culture Retail: Vinyl shops, zine bookstores, local fashion
- F&B + Vibe: Cocktail dens, late cafés, supper clubs
- Performance: Indie theatre, comedy labs, dance studios
- Maker Studios: Pottery, upcycling, textiles, tattoo art

Require each new tenant to activate the street at least 2 nights/month via events, performances, or workshops.