HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 NEDCO Springfield Main Street Program, Design Committee Priorities for Downtown Revitalization AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 2/13/2012
Meeting Type: Work Session
Staff Contact/Dept.: Linda Pauly/DSD
Staff Phone No: (541) 726-4608
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
S P R I N G F I E L D
C I T Y C O U N C I L
Council Goals: Community and
Economic Development
and Revitalization
ITEM TITLE: NEDCO SPRINGFIELD MAIN STREET® PROGRAM: DESIGN COMMITTEE
PRIORITIES FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Ted Corbin, a representative of the Springfield Main Street® Design Committee and the
NEDCO Board of Directors, will provide the Council with a summary of the Design
Committee’s priorities for downtown revitalization. The presentation will provide suggested
actions that the City may take to improve the downtown and support business success.
ISSUE
STATEMENT:
The Design Committee of the Springfield Main Street® program held a Downtown Design
Charrette in November of 2011 to facilitate conversations and hands-on design
collaboration among local citizens, business owners, design professionals and university
students relating to the Downtown. The goals of the Charrette process were to advance the
following items:
Develop design ideas to improve the pedestrian experience by enhancing building
facades and corresponding streetscapes.
Provide business and building owners with convenient and financially feasible
design solutions.
Draw from a wide range of experiences to collaborate on design ideas customized
for the target area.
Based on the dialogue facilitated by the Main Street® Design Committee process and the
results of the November Charrette, the Committee has developed recommendations that will
support incremental improvements to the Downtown.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Letter from the Design Committee Chair John Lively and Committee Members
2. Charrette Report Highlights (a hard copy of the report will be provided at the meeting)
3. Charrette Attendees List
4. Media Coverage
5. Main Street Committee Chairs
DISCUSSION/
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
On November 11, 2011, Clair Carpenter-Seguin from the Neighborhood Economic
Development Corporation (NEDCO) and staff provided the Council with updates on
NEDCO’s Downtown Springfield economic development and revitalization activities. The
Council requested a follow-up work session with the Main Street® Design Committee, one
of four committees organized and implemented under NEDCO’s leadership to revitalize
downtown Springfield. The Design Committee’s charge is to get downtown into top
physical shape to create a safer, more inviting environment for shoppers, workers, and
visitors.
Last year, the Council adopted a resolution to support NEDCO’s successful application to
nominate Downtown Springfield for the Oregon Main Street® Program (National Trust for
Historic Preservation). The Main Street Four-Point Approach® is a unique preservation
based economic development tool that enables communities to revitalize downtown and
neighborhood business districts by leveraging local assets - from historic, cultural, and
architectural resources to local enterprises and community pride. It is a comprehensive
strategy that addresses the variety of issues and problems that challenge traditional
commercial districts. Main Street® provides an organizational structure for community-
initiated business district improvement efforts. These activities provide support for the
strategies outlined in the City’s adopted Downtown District Urban Design Plan and
Implementation Strategy. Downtown revitalization is a key strategy for fostering
Springfield’s community pride, livability and economic development.
To:
Mayor Christine Lundberg
Councilmember Sean VanGordon
Councilmember Hillary Wylie
Councilmember Sheri Moore
Councilmember Dave Ralston
Councilmember Marilee Woodrow
Councilmember Joe Pishioneri
From:
John Lively, Design Committee Chair
Main Street Design Committee
Date: February 13th, 2012
Re: Springfield Main Street Design Committee Priorities for Downtown Revitalization
Dear Mayor Lundberg and City Council:
On behalf of the Main Street Design Committee, I would like to recommend for your consideration the priorities
that we have established to improve downtown and attract businesses that would help re-establish a retail Main
Street in Springfield. We would ask that you look for any opportunity to devote the necessary staff time and
resources, support incentive programs whenever possible, and continue to provide the political leadership
necessary to create a downtown we can be proud of and that businesses, citizens, and visitors flock to.
Building Maintenance – Effective City ordinances should guarantee that downtown tenants and owners
maintain their building exteriors, awnings and landscaping.
Fund a Main Street Manager – Dedicating City support is vitally important to all concerned about our
downtown. The ongoing efforts to improve Main Street will require coordination and resources.
Funds for Façade Improvement – Support any Urban Renewal or CDBG funds available for downtown
building facades. Matching funding or providing incentives will make a difference on many of the
needed improvements being identified on Main Street.
Signage – Retail business districts rely on signage that is legible and attractive. The sign code must be
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intent or on enforcement breeds unnecessary ill will.
Business Registry – A City staff maintained accounting/licensing for all new businesses within the
Downtown Redevelopment Area would provide a much needed barometer for our commercial mix and
vexing vacancies.
Attachment 1-1
System Development Charges – Continue to look for a way to reduce SDCs for downtown business
starts. This positive impact cannot be emphasized enough.
Our committee continues to meet on a monthly basis looking for ways to improve downtown. We continue to
recruit business owners and building owners into our efforts. We look to reach out to others making the same
efforts.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
John Lively
Attachment 1-2
Downtown Design Charrette Final Report Highlights
Link to Complete Final Report:
http://www.box.com/s/q04fn4vlvxkfifn2y8vq
Attachment 2-1
Attachment 2-2
Attachment 2-3
Attachment 2-4
Attachment 2-5
Attachment 2-6
Charrette Attendees, by Category
American Institute for Architecture: 15
American Society of Landscape Architects: 4
Students: 1
City of Springfield: 2
Business Owner: 4
Citizens: 13
TOTAL: 39
Attachment 3-1
Charrette News Press Announcements
List of Printed Media:
Main Street makeover proposed
A workshop will focus on ideas to improve a stretch in Springfield
By Saul Hubbard
The Register-Guard
Published: (Saturday, Nov 12, 2011 05:01AM) Midnight, Nov. 12, 2011
http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/27160699-41/design-downtown-improvements-
main-springfield.html.csp
Downtown designs to be discussed Saturday
Springfield Times
November 11, 2011
Downtown plans and designs discussed
Springfield Times
November 18, 2011
Links to TV news announcements:
http://kezi.com/news/local/229452
http://klcc.org/Feature.asp?FeatureID=2873
Other Media:
Posted on Downtown Springfield Facebook and NEDCO Twitter accounts.
Attachment 4-1
Main Street Committee Chairs
Organization Committee: Dan Egan, dan@springfield-chamber.org, (541) 746-1651
Design Committee: John Lively, john@cawood.com, (541) 484-7052
Promotion Committee: Karen Hageman, karen2106@msn.com, (541) 736-0352
Economic Restructuring Committee: Courtney Griesel, cgriesel@ci.springfield.or.us, (541) 736-7132
NEDCO Board Liaison: Bethe Hayes, bethe.hayes@usbank.com, (541) 747-6712
Attachment 5-1