REGION 2020: DOWNTOWNS
WHAT
• To develop a region that revitalizes and continues to develop vibrant safe,
attractive, and accessible downtowns; offers diverse cultural entertainment,
expanded business opportunities, and historic preservation programs; and
is a friendly place in which to invest, live, work, and play.
WHY
• To revitalize downtowns that capitalize on local character and assets
• To establish downtowns where individuals and families want to work, shop,
and play.
• To make efficient and effective use of existing buildings, infrastructure,
services, and facilities.
• To promote dialogue among regional downtowns, support their revitalization
efforts, and encourage smaller, regional downtowns to join forces to direct
change/growth/preservation.
• To encourage stakeholders to promote downtowns.
• To promote the development of downtown master plans as a basis for prioritizing,
strategic planning, decision making, marketing, and fundraising.
• To decrease vacancies in downtowns.
• To encourage new business and development opportunities and new construction
in downtowns.
WHO SHOULD BE INVOLVED
• Residents
• Churches
• Merchants
• Businesses
• Police and fire officials
• Government/municipal officials
• Arts and entertainment institutions
• Financial institutions
• Schools
• Realtors
• Chamber of commerce
• Civic organizations
• Existing downtown stakeholder groups
• Historical societies
• Planning and building officials
• Manufacturing
• Regional planning commissions
WHO WILL BENEFIT
• Citizens
• Downtowns arid the communities they serve
• Businesses in downtowns
• Property owners in downtowns
• Regional planning commissions
HOW
Strategy
Develop incentives that draw families and businesses back into our city
and town centers. Explore a broad range of incentives including
entertainment, cultural and recreational activities; safe, convenient public
transportation
and parking; beautification; restoration/preservation of historic
buildings and districts; business opportunities; housing; available quality
public
education; zero crime and a perception of safety; financial incentives;
tax
incentives; and codes, zoning and approval processes that facilitate
revitalization. Reconcile the incentives with plans for the revitalization
of downtowns
developed through a participatory process.
Related strategies: Neighborhoods and Communities, Citizen
Involvement,
Mass Transit, Alternative
Modes of Transportation, and Arts
and Culture.
Action Steps
Region 2020 will work with existing downtown organizations and
regional planning commissions on the development of a series
of workshops
tailored specifically
for the region's down-town stakeholders and users to discuss
incentives, models, and programs for downtown revitalization; exchange
ideas;
explore potential coalitions; and promote the development of
downtown master
plans through a participatory process of all stake-holders.
Region 2020 will coordinate with existing downtown stake-holder
groups, such as Operation New Birmingham, Spirit of Anniston,
and Downtown
Gadsden, Inc.,
and encourage the development of similar groups in other towns.
The proposed Panning and Design Center (outlined in the Neighborhoods
and Communities strategy) will prepare a resource for downtown
revitalization for use in the region.
Role of Region 2020
• To assist in the organization and promotion of the workshop(s).
• To facilitate the networking components of the workshop(s).
• To promote regular meetings and exchange among downtowns.
• To support creation of a Planning & Design Center.
• To work with existing downtown stakeholder groups.
• To support and encourage the development of similar groups
in other downtowns which express an interest/need.
Cost
Workshop(s) including site expenses, staff, publicity, mailings,
and materials will cost $30,000 - $50,000.
Further Information
Workgroup identified two consistent leadership components
of sustained success in downtown revitalization: a coordinating
organization
that operates as
a resource and information center and a promotional marketing
organization.
A number of models exist that combine these
activities
into one
organization or into two parallel organizations.
