There is no question about it: We are creatures of habit. Once we have developed a way of doing something or a path to take, changing it becomes quite difficult. We find comfort in our familiarity, and any move to adjust it causes us to bristle. Yet, we also know change is part of life.
Like it or not, we will be confronted by change, which forces us to make a decision: embrace it or fight it.
Superior is faced with a major change in its near future that will disrupt our lives for a few years: the building of a new Blatnik Bridge. We will be forced to adapt – to change our patterns and create new ones because sometimes change is too significant to fight.
With an estimated cost of more than $1 billion dollars, this will be one of the largest projects in our nation.
Kelly Peterson, executive director for the Superior Business Improvement District, said that we can look at the bridge project as either an imposition or a positive opportunity.
“As we prepare and move into construction, we can use this as a chance to not just survive, but to thrive.”
The key element to developing and maintaining a positive attitude is to keep informed. When we know, we are in control. Knowing this, SBID is creating opportunities to assist its businesses in planning for the change.
This past November SBID hosted a Blatnik Bootcamp, and invited stakeholders to come together where they could brainstorm ideas and receive valuable project updates as well as resources and valuable marketing and operational tips.
SBID will continue to spearhead meetings for the Twin Ports Business Alliance. This group brings together representatives from SBID, Duluth’s Canal Park, Downtown, Lincoln Park and West Duluth, working together to generate ideas and plans that could lessen the impact of the bridge construction, like the possibility of water taxis.
“We have updated our website (www.superiorbid.com) so that it contains the latest information for stakeholders and customers to access,” Peterson commented.
Stakeholders can learn when various info sessions and community meetings are being held. Businesses can also access links and resources to help in their planning: WisDOT In This Together Guide, WisDOT Road Construction Guide for Business, MnDOT Project Home Page and the Blatnik Project Facebook page.
Amy Ugstad, SBID marketing consultant, will be providing a limited number of one-hour meetings for SBID business owners. She will focus on helping align their web page information with their social media.
“Consistency in messages is important,” Peterson noted. “It lessens any confusion.”
Summer Nitsch, from Superior Effect Marketing, has also put together a variety of social media price packages that business owners can access to help them navigate the impact of the bridge project.
SBID will be creating welcome bags that will be left at different businesses throughout the district. These will hold such information about the area as: a listing of restaurants, events and activities; meeting schedules for organizations like Rotary, Kiwanas and Optimists; a church directory. Peterson said these are being prepared for people who will be here for construction or will visit during the project. Informational rack cards will also be distributed.
“Who knows?” she added. “Those workers might find they like it here and want to move to our area.”
Peterson encourages people in Superior to stay informed – be connected to what is happening throughout the project. Make sure to join a business’s social media. Bookmark their web page. And, don’t just read, but respond. Let businesses know your concerns. That will help them better prepare and make any alterations to make accessing them easier.
Certainly, it is easier to complain about any imposition than it is to become involved with helping to create solutions to problems. In complaining, there is no growth. We remain stagnant.
This project is a tremendous opportunity for us to grow as a community. We can use this to discover possibilities we never knew existed before which would improve and enhance our area. Show that we choose to thrive rather that survive!
Gary Banker is a member of the Superior Business Improvement District.
