Summary of Plan

  • As local market conditions permit, consider providing a recreation / entertainment center-a nonalcoholic gathering place for juveniles and young adults. Also encourage development of an arts and crafts center to contain both studio and retail space in proximity to the hotel.
  • Combine the city hall and civic center into an integrated structure on Parcel A at Illinois and Walnut. Develop a garage as part of the complex after conducting a feasibility study to determine its size and means of financing.
  • Create an "Old Town Square" in the four parcels at the intersection of the Illinois Central Railroad and Main Street. Develop the square with park land and well-landscaped parking lots.
  • Designate a permanent civic body to guide implementation of the downtown development plan
  • Emphasize development of high-priority, Phase 1 projects: the city hall / civic center complex, Old Town Square, the garage adjacent to the city hall / civic center complex, and parking in the South Illinois corridor.
  • Explore the use of a variety of other financing tools to provide funds for investment in the public infrastructure and stimulation of private development.
  • If parking demands in the South Illinois corridor remain unmet, encourage the development of a parking garage with ground-level retail space by the private sector, the City, and the university.
  • Install street lighting using fixtures with a historic theme in the downtown area north of Elm to reinforce the historic character of buildings, and contemporary lighting fixtures south of Elm compatible with the character of the retail area serving the university community.
  • Promote use of the Enterprise Zone to encourage private investment in property development and rehabilitation.
  • Rehabilitate the old depot for retail/restaurant use; encourage additional retail activities on the east side of Illinois between Walnut and Monroe, and on the west side between Monroe and Main Street; market the retail complex as an in town "period" shopping complex.
  • Reserve Parcel B for construction of a new hotel; reserve the option to expand Parcel B, if required by the hotel developer / operator.
  • Undertake a street improvement program through planting of street trees, installation of unifying canopies, and reconstruction of damaged sidewalks. Special attention should be given to improving "entrance" intersections with special street paving and street trees/landscaping. Brick sidewalk pavements should be used to link key downtown focal points, such as the city hall / civic center and the Old Town Square complex.
  • Utilize the excess railroad right-of-way for a linear vehicular parking system served by crossing streets and a continuous pedestrian/bicycle path from Grand to Oak.