Smith-Werner Building - Opportunities

Since my original post much as transpired in downtown. Recently Daviess County Fiscal Court issued a Request for Proposals for the Smith-Werner building on 2nd Street. Smith-Werner has 4 bays (store fronts) with a 2nd floor over each bay. In years past these storefronts have housed a variety of retail enterprises including the Elite Cigar Store. In years past there have been both professional offices and residences on the 2nd floor. What would you like to see developed in the Smith-Werner building? What kinds of retail stores or services would entice you to come downtown and visit those businesses? Posted by Fred Reeves, Executive Director for Downtown Development.

Downtown Revitalization

Downtown Revitalization
My thoughts, what are yours?

The factors that influence economic development in communities are changing drastically. Worldwide competition for manufacturing and technical support investment is impacting how communities approach maintaining their economic vitality. Smart communities understand the importance of attracting talent to their communities, and are being proactive in developing an environment that will entice individuals with talent and resources to live and work in their communities. One of the key elements to being successful in the new economy is having a downtown that is attractive and includes the amenities that will attract talent.

The Downtown Development Corporation and the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation have launched an aggressive downtown development initiative that embraces the concept of “place making”. Quite simply “place making” is a focused effort to attract people to an attractive place. Achieving that goal requires (a) a commitment from both the private and public sector to invest in the downtown; (b) an organization whose sole focus is downtown development; and (c) a coherent plan for Owensboro’s downtown development that is implementation based. So where is Owensboro on these three requirements for success.

There have been several initiatives in the downtown area that are encouraging. Several new businesses have opened or reopened in the past several months. Others will be opening soon. The new coffee house, The Crème” on second street opened in early spring and is providing a very metropolitan atmosphere that is attracting customers across a wide demographic. The reopening of Barney’s on Frederica has been well-received. A new dance studio is being developed by a young entrepreneur and will open in late summer in one of Terry Woodward’s renovated properties on 2nd Street. Daviess County Fiscal Court will soon be issuing a Request for Proposals for the renovated Smith-Werner buildings on 2nd Street. That property is well-suited for some nice retail shops and housing on the second floor. This clearly demonstrates an interest from both the private and public sector to invest in Owensboro’s downtown area.

The recent change in ownership of the Executive Inn property presents both challenges and opportunities. It is generally agreed that those 17.5 acres of prime riverfront property will attract millions of dollars of private and public investment over the next several years. The key to the success of that investment will be having a coherent plan that nurtures a strong public-private partnership; and, that the plan benefit from a process that values input from the citizens of the community. Finally, that plan must fit in the context of our vision for downtown Owensboro.

To insure we have an organization that focuses daily on downtown revitalization issues the city and county recently partnered with the Owensboro-Daviess County Industrial Development Authority to create a downtown development component with a full-time staff person. The Executive Director for Downtown Development also provides leadership to the Downtown Development Corporation. Much of the current emphasis on downtown development was spurred by the recommendations included in the DDC’s 2007 downtown study. The DDC has taken a lead position in the current “place making” initiative.

The final component critical to our success is the development of a coherent, implementation-based plan. To achieve that outcome the DDC and GO-EDC have engaged the Gateway Planning Group from Ft. Worth, TX to lead our efforts. The Gateway team includes individuals with national credentials in the areas of urban design, transportation, regulatory code and fiscal analysis. The Gateway team has led similar efforts in both small and large communities across the country. Several of the team members were engaged in the downtown Louisville revitalization efforts. The Gateway team will lead us through a process that will be characterized by extensive engagement of the downtown stakeholders, public officials and the public at large. We plan to achieve the following outcomes from this initiative:

• combine the disciplines of town planning, urban design, public-private financing, and community facilitation, focusing first and foremost on implementation
• include form-based codes and transportation strategies that harness the market’s ability to sustain growth
• tie together a physical implementation strategy for downtown development; new destinations that build on the history of regional entertainment; and the integration of in-town neighborhoods and employment.
• solidify the focus on downtown Owensboro as a key player in driving growth and reinvestment in the region is critical to the development of a long-term, sustainable growth policy for the region.

So, what are you thoughts about this initiative? What is your vision for downtown Owensboro? We value your insights, opinions and suggestions. We hope you will share with us by posting responses on this blog.

If you would like to join the numerous individuals and organizations financially supporting this initiative you will find a Pay Pal link on our homepage that will provide you that opportunity. The Downtown Development Corporation is a 501 C (3) not-for-profit agency so your contribution can likely be deducted from your taxes.

Dr. Fred Reeves

Executive Director for Downtown Development