Community Revitalization Partnership Visit: February 5-6, 2009

Transcription

1 Community Revitalization Partnership Visit: February 5-6,

2 The Team Bob Kunkel, Durango Kim Grant, Arvada Rick Kron, Grimshaw & Harring, PC Jesse Silverstein, Colorado Brownfields Foundation Pattie Snidow, USDA Clint Cresawn, STRIDES Christy Culp, DOLA Ken Charles, DOLA Katherine Correll, DCI Heather Garbo, DCI General Observations Two great hardware stores. Good service Better quality of goods Specialty needs Post office Hospital County buildings City buildings Loyalty Sense of place Movies Independent coffee houses Main in Motion Product knowledge Library Gathering place Boutique retail Failure to focus on locals 2

3 General Observations Great new brand Perception of parking is bad Niche Items Independence Community events No need to drive Farmers Market Lack of leadership Competing groups Failure to develop objectives Feeling that needs are ignored Vandalism is an issue Need to diversify activities Need to attract retail businesses no one doing it Perception of unsafe or unclean environment Need for a signature event Dependence on city funding Utilize existing downtown anchors Organization Observation: Absence of organizational focus on downtown is problematic City should develop clear objectives and work plan for downtown based on CRP report conclusions Define downtown geographically Identify and support one downtown organization 3

4 Organization A downtown leadership position should be developed for stability and continuity. Changes cost momentum. Retail enhancement funds should go to highest and best use. A portion of marketing funds should go to product enhancement i.e. target 7-10 initial properties for facade improvements in 1-3 years. Identity/Image Organization Resume dialogue between city, downtown merchants and property owners to gain consensus for private sector financial contribution. Develop collaboration with police for increased foot patrols on Main Street after dark. 4

5 Organization There is a need for funds dedicated to downtown Long Term funding mechanisms perhaps DDA (TIF)/BID 5

6 Economic Restructuring Continue to support the Air Guarantee program and inform the public of the contribution and benefits for Montrose. Develop Black Canyon Visitors Center on Main. Develop greater opportunities for downtown employees to interact downtown e.g. Main on Monday Create a template to assist downtown businesses to access USDA Rural Development grant funds for energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. Economic Restructuring Bolster both sides of downtown. Continue to define west side for assemblages for new business park development. Utilize Montrose Economic Development Corporation to look at business development options for west downtown. Look at potential for design guidelines for industrial areas. 6

7 Economic Development Opportunities Bolster Downtown Bring jobs to West Main Acreage ripe for reuse Historic buildings Pay attention to East Main Economic Development Opportunities Mixed-Use River Oriented Assets Implement intent of River Corridor Overlay Zone Clean up river to make inviting and support recreation River could be an asset to attract business Proximity to river may encourage rec related industry 7

8 Economic Restructuring Explore opportunities for more all scale downtown housing in line with downtown demographics. Review land use code for barriers to downtown housing. Get control of corners, great potential for mixed use. Look at design regulations. Second story reuses. Downtown Opportunities Underutilized or vacant sites Assemblage Opportunity 8

9 Strategies Provide Financial vision for buyers/developers Need to address due diligence issues: Clear environmental questions from former uses or identify strategies for cleanup Ensure safe environment for residents & workers Enable financing & funding Soil & structural issues State, federal, nonprofit assistance Economic Restructuring Create business and building Inventory. Identify how many businesses there are, what buildings exist. Complete Retail Gap and Real Estate Market Analysis of downtown Use for marketing downtown and creating brochures. 9

10 Design Support San Juan Swap Analyze the pros and cons of widening sidewalks. Design Conduct parking and traffic flow audit: Support diagonal parking with San Juan swap Provide for oversized vehicles Determine number of spaces Proximity to downtown Usage of spaces Develop directional signage Manage parking. 10

11 Design Enhance pedestrian experience, appearance of backs of buildings and alleys. Include historic downtown directional signage. Revisit the condition of the historic plaques. Consider gateway monument signage at entrances to downtown. Design Identify and designate historic buildings and those that contribute to historic character of downtown. -Provide restoration incentives for historic buildings such as the movie theater. -Look for non-profit partner to access additional grant opportunities. 11

12 Design Don t tear down any more historic buildings. City/Downtown Organization offers incentive for upgrading facades. Keep store windows clean and attractive Design Clarify responsibility for cleanliness of sidewalks and public ROW. Review sign code and ensure that it is retail friendly and consistent with architecture and historic materials. Ensure appropriate enforcement. Look closely at which blocks would be converted to one way streets. 12

13 Design Add grass and greenery to park at Townsend & Main. Identify other potential green areas downtown. Continued use of State Trails, GOCO, Colorado Health Foundation Healthy Living grants to enhance trail system. Connect trail linkages to downtown and to regional trail systems (ex.- Ouray to Delta trail). Promotions Create Downtown Directory Create a calendar of downtown events Develop downtown event objectives and review new events to determine what objectives are being met. 13

14 Promotions Play off Black Canyon history for NEW Historic tour. What is downtown or scavenger hunt contest for elementary school kids Continue to use art students as resource to downtown Partner with high school students/seniors to downtown clean up publicize Promotions Have beer garden/programmed events in Centennial Plaza. Invite groups to use the space for events. 14

15 Thank You City of Montrose Mayor and City Council Montrose Chamber and VCB Mesa State College Montrose County Planning Business & Property Owners Hospital Residents Library district Seniors, residents Comprehensive Plan Committee Real Estate Professionals Montrose Improvement Team Downtown Heart of the City Committee Main in Motion Committee MAMA Montrose Economic Development Commission 15