Editor's Note: This story is part of a month-long series that highlights 31 ideas included in the "Mansfield Rising" plan. The 67-page document was created by 15 local leaders after attending the South by Southwest Conference last March in Austin, Texas.
Idea 31: Build a free mobile app
With technology use on the rise, a free mobile app should be developed to showcase downtown businesses, events, attractions, public art, and other activities.
In conjunction with this app, geofencing may provide a valuable opportunity to cross-promote events in the user’s immediate area.
Since the Mansfield-Richland Education Foundation has shown an interest to hold a civic hackathon, this organization may prove to be a valuable partner to develop a mobile app. With an added bonus of increasing community buy-in. Destination Mansfield could be another potential partner to help develop and pilot the app as well as promotion.
Costs could be reduced by identifying and employing an existing platform that is customizable and has shown success in similar projects across the country (e.g. My Tours).
Data from the central processing/community calendar could be used to develop the app and ensure the long-term success.
