Toolbox Studios launches new online resource for downtown San Antonio
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Aug 7, 2009
Toolbox Studios launches new online resource for downtown San Antonio
Downtown is just a click away with the new Downtown Alliance San Antonio and Centro San Antonio Web site designed by Toolbox Studios
SAN ANTONIO, TX — On August 7, 2009, The Downtown Alliance of San Antonio (DTA) and Centro San Antonio (Centro) launched www.downtownsanantonio.org – a new Web site providing visitors, residents and business owners a wealth of online resources for navigating and exploring downtown San Antonio. Designed and produced by local, award-winning branding firm Toolbox Studios, Inc., the new site categorizes and maps downtown destinations using Google’s Map tools, and is poised to become the definitive online resource for the city center.
DTA and Centro selected Toolbox as their marketing partner based on Toolbox’s 13+ years of branding experience and insight into downtown’s culture. DTA President Ben Brewer said, “We challenged Toolbox to develop a world-class online solution that presents the benefits of the DTA and Centro organizations, and simultaneously provides valuable information for people who live, work and play downtown.”
Toolbox strategists worked closely with DTA and Centro staff to determine the best use of resources and technology to develop the solution. Toolbox completed a brand audit, refreshed the DTA and Centro parent and sub-brands to make them cohesive and engaging, and managed the full design and production of the Web site. The site user interface reflects the new look of the updated DTA and Centro brands. A new tag line, “Be Downtown: Be Centro”, emphasizes downtown as the heart of the city.
“Toolbox is excited to contribute directly to the revitalization of downtown San Antonio,” says President Rob Simons. “The new site will engage users, create new business connections and raise general awareness about the best of downtown’s offerings. As a resident, business owner and frequent downtown patron, I know personally what a great resource this Web site will be for users.”
The new site utilizes sophisticated search engine optimization tools and analytic components to help raise the DTA’s profile both locally and nationally. This increased exposure, combined with the ability to promote and link the site to member sites, will encourage DTA/Centro support. “This Web site will continue to grow, utilize new social media tools, and evolve alongside DTA, Centro and the city itself,” added DTA President Ben Brewer.
Highlights of the site include:
DTA and Centro are grateful for the San Antonio CVB for their support and generosity in sharing data listings.
About Downtown Alliance
The Downtown Alliance is an advocacy and membership organization of property and business owners and anyone with interests in San Antonio’s central business district. DTA assists with planning, developing and operational activities in downtown San Antonio and works closely with both public and private sector interests to enhance the urban fabric of the city center by improving downtown properties and businesses.
About Centro San Antonio
Centro San Antonio, the Downtown Public Improvement District, was created in 1999 to provide services and improvements supplementing services provided by the City of San Antonio. Centro’s approach to delivering these services takes form as the Ambassador, Maintenance, and Streetscaping Amigos. In a given year, Centro Amigos assist 1.2 million downtown visitors, collect over 6,000 bags of trash, address over 800 maintenance “emergencies” and maintain over 700 planters and plants year-round on light poles, stair rails on the river and large planter clusters in key locations throughout the District. As an integral part of downtown, the Centro Amigos are key partners in numerous conservation, educational, community spirit and public arts programs.
SAN ANTONIO, TX — On August 7, 2009, The Downtown Alliance of San Antonio (DTA) and Centro San Antonio (Centro) launched www.downtownsanantonio.org – a new Web site providing visitors, residents and business owners a wealth of online resources for navigating and exploring downtown San Antonio. Designed and produced by local, award-winning branding firm Toolbox Studios, Inc., the new site categorizes and maps downtown destinations using Google’s Map tools, and is poised to become the definitive online resource for the city center.DTA and Centro selected Toolbox as their marketing partner based on Toolbox’s 13+ years of branding experience and insight into downtown’s culture. DTA President Ben Brewer said, “We challenged Toolbox to develop a world-class online solution that presents the benefits of the DTA and Centro organizations, and simultaneously provides valuable information for people who live, work and play downtown.”
Toolbox strategists worked closely with DTA and Centro staff to determine the best use of resources and technology to develop the solution. Toolbox completed a brand audit, refreshed the DTA and Centro parent and sub-brands to make them cohesive and engaging, and managed the full design and production of the Web site. The site user interface reflects the new look of the updated DTA and Centro brands. A new tag line, “Be Downtown: Be Centro”, emphasizes downtown as the heart of the city.
“Toolbox is excited to contribute directly to the revitalization of downtown San Antonio,” says President Rob Simons. “The new site will engage users, create new business connections and raise general awareness about the best of downtown’s offerings. As a resident, business owner and frequent downtown patron, I know personally what a great resource this Web site will be for users.”
The new site utilizes sophisticated search engine optimization tools and analytic components to help raise the DTA’s profile both locally and nationally. This increased exposure, combined with the ability to promote and link the site to member sites, will encourage DTA/Centro support. “This Web site will continue to grow, utilize new social media tools, and evolve alongside DTA, Centro and the city itself,” added DTA President Ben Brewer.
Highlights of the site include:
- The site is organized by categories that invite users to explore downtown in the following ways: Work, Live, Shop, Play, Eat, Look and Stay. There is also a section for parking and transportation, which includes links to VIA, the River Taxi, and bicycle paths. Additionally, DTA and Centro have dedicated portions of the site featuring each organization's history, mission, programs, news and events.
- Each section contains a Google map with listings and detailed information about the downtown resources. Users can access the Google map tools to get travel directions for using vehicles, walking or public transportation.
- There is an interactive parking lot map that can be viewed directly, or overlaid on the maps of each category. All parking lots have been manually verified and mapped to Google. When users go to any of the categories, they can turn “on” a parking switch to show parking near their destination of choice and then get directions using the Google interface.
- Downtowners are invited to submit their local faves: a favorite place to eat, shop, visit, etc., to be included on the site’s Local Fave section, which already features favorites from notable downtowners.
- Downtowners can now fan DTA and Centro on Facebook, and follow Centro on Twitter. Links to the organizations’ social media pages can be found on the home page of http://www.downtownsanantonio.org.
- DTA members can now join and renew membership online, as well as RSVP for events. Additionally, members receive priority listings, including a special DTA icon in the map listings.
- The site features a custom back-end content management system (CMS) that allows DTA staff to update listings, news, events, images and more without outside technical assistance.
- Questions, comments and feedback about the Website, DTA, and Centro can be submitted via the online contact form at: http://www.downtownsanantonio.org/contact
DTA and Centro are grateful for the San Antonio CVB for their support and generosity in sharing data listings.
About Downtown Alliance
The Downtown Alliance is an advocacy and membership organization of property and business owners and anyone with interests in San Antonio’s central business district. DTA assists with planning, developing and operational activities in downtown San Antonio and works closely with both public and private sector interests to enhance the urban fabric of the city center by improving downtown properties and businesses.
About Centro San Antonio
Centro San Antonio, the Downtown Public Improvement District, was created in 1999 to provide services and improvements supplementing services provided by the City of San Antonio. Centro’s approach to delivering these services takes form as the Ambassador, Maintenance, and Streetscaping Amigos. In a given year, Centro Amigos assist 1.2 million downtown visitors, collect over 6,000 bags of trash, address over 800 maintenance “emergencies” and maintain over 700 planters and plants year-round on light poles, stair rails on the river and large planter clusters in key locations throughout the District. As an integral part of downtown, the Centro Amigos are key partners in numerous conservation, educational, community spirit and public arts programs.
