Page 65 - Denver, CO Adaptive Reuse Program

Custom-tailor Webpages for Adaptive Reuse
Develop web pages specifically targeted at adaptive reuse. Im-
proved webpages for each department as well as an overall
adaptive reuse webpage, as discussed in Chapter 5, are needed.
Consider creating other materials that focus on specific aspects of
the program and can be given to applicants that come to the City
offices asking for assistance. These materials could also be given to
BID Directors to distribute as needed.

Professional web site designers will know the best way to design
the information architecture for a user seeking help about adaptive
reuse, but these are some general principles to consider:
1. Create a clear path through web pages that is progressive
and intuitive, so users feel they are getting closer to the con-
tent they are seeking.
2. Use terms and menu names that will be understood by lay
people.
3. Use mega-menus that allow users to compare multiple path-
ways to information at a glance to understand where they
may search next.
4. Use well-labeled links and buttons.
5. Optimize site search tools to return relevant and accurate
results.
6. Optimize website performance for various devices (i.e. desk-
top, laptop, mobile, or tablet).

This effort should be directed by the Adaptive Reuse Coordinator,
but ideally completed by the Communications Department, who
understands the ins and outs of the website.

Host Educational Sessions for Applicants
Offering in-person or virtual educational sessions will be a highly
efficient delivery method. As an initial step, consider hosting a
general training session annually. This session should be facili-
tated by the (proposed) Adaptive Reuse Coordinator, with staff
from other departments providing parts of the curriculum. More
detailed informational sessions also should be staged. For example,
consider restarting the annual restaurant informational session
that once was staged.

Expand Training for Staff in Key Departments
It is important that staff in all relevant departments understand
the objectives of an adaptive reuse program and how they can
contribute to its success. Training sessions that build a sense of
teamwork are key. This should include understanding how individ-
ual permitting requirements interface with others as well as how
they may work together to achieved creative solutions to individual
problems. As an initial step, establish an annual inter-departmen-

Adaptive Reuse Strategy Paper 61