Dedicated to improving communities through the revitalization of downtown and neighborhood business districts, Eichenfield & Associates serves local governments, redevelopment agencies, business associations and downtown organizations throughout the United States.

Jeff Eichenfield, principal, is a well-known leader in the field of downtown revitalization. He has more than 20 years of experience facilitating community visioning processes, developing downtown strategic plans and marketing plans, implementing business retention and recruitment activities, managing storefront improvement programs, coordinating merchant promotions and special events, organizing merchants and property owners, building successful Main Street^TM programs, and educating the public and private sectors on the topic of downtown revitalization.

Through its expert team of associates and partner firms, E&A also provides sales and market analyses, design guidelines, marketing communications and graphic design services, web site development, and cross-cultural experience that meets the unique needs of multi-cultural communities.

Prior to forming E&A, Jeff worked as Development Specialist with the City of Alameda (CA) Redevelopment Agency; Executive Director of the Alameda Main Street Program; Project Manager of the Livermore (CA) Main Street Program, Economic Recovery Coordinator for the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 1993 Midwest Flood Response Program, and Executive Director of California Preservation Foundation (CPF). He worked extensively in developing economic recovery and building rehabilitation strategies following the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes. He has an MBA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a BA in Journalism from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.

"Successful strategies for downtown revitalization require practical experience and the ability to balance the needs of property owners, business owners, residents, elected officials, government staff, and other special interest groups. My experience in private business, local government and non-profit sectors gives me the ability to look at a project from many different perspectives. I develop products that are clear, innovative and easy to implement. I have successfully completed difficult projects by going the extra mile. My unique combination of experience in economic development, historic preservation and disaster planning and response has proven very useful to communities."

Selected Accomplishments:

• Conducted economic recovery assessments for 20 downtowns in the Midwest, which resulted in the development of marketing plans, better-organized business associations, improved tourism infrastructure, and increased visitor counts and sales.
• Spearheaded a facade improvement program in the City of Alameda, California, that has resulted in more than 75 storefront renovations.
• Served as a liaison between businesses and property owners, city government and urban design consultants during a $3 million streetscape project, enabling Livermore, California, to minimize business disruption and produce results that met merchants' and shoppers' needs.
• Worked with a variety of downtown and community leaders early on in their planning process to develop revitalization programs that were adequately funded, had realistic workplans, and included a comprehensive approach.
• Ensured that dozens of communities drew up disaster response plans, disaster recovery ordinances, and historic preservation incentive programs.

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