Martinsville Bulletin, Inc.
P. O. Box 3711
204 Broad Street
Martinsville, Virginia 24115
276-638-8801
Toll Free: 800-234-6575
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Wednesday, July 29, 2009
By MICKEY POWELL - Bulletin Staff Writer
City officials aim to have a master plan for revitalizing the uptown business district by the end of this year, Martinsville City Council learned Tuesday.
Once that plan is done, the city can apply for a block grant of up to $1.4 million from the state in March that can be put toward the revitalization, according to Community Development Director Wayne Knox.
He said the city has issued a request for proposals from firms interested in creating the master plan.
Knox said the city likely would find out next June whether it receives the grant. If the grant is provided, revitalization efforts spurred by the master plan could start by the end of 2010, he indicated.
“We don’t want to wait too long” to get started on the process, said Councilman Gene Teague.
The grant money would only be part of the funding ultimately needed to revitalize uptown, Knox and consultants from Virginia LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corp.) told the council. They did not specify an exact amount.
While there are a variety of grants that might be tapped for the project, most of the investment needed will have to come from private sources, such as property owners, officials said.
Virginia LISC is working with The Harvest Foundation and the city on efforts to revitalize uptown.
“We don’t have to plan from scratch,” said Becky Clay Christensen, one of the consultants. She noted that efforts already in place or in progress, such as the New College Institute, artist studios and construction of the Big Chair attraction, will help in the revitalization.
About 80 people participated in a “Vision Day” on Saturday, held to get area residents’ opinions on how the district should be revitalized. Comments made by residents are being compiled and will be used to develop the master plan, according to officials.
Based on comments heard, another consultant, Bob Adams, said uptown’s opportunity for economic growth will be centered around becoming a unique place for shopping, dining and living, as well as an education center.
Attractions promoting the area’s cultural and furniture-making heritage also could be useful, Christensen and Adams said.
Adams said residents see uptown as not being pedestrian-friendly, so green spaces, gathering places and outdoor music venues would be helpful.
“We want to see uptown become a neighborhood again,” he said, adding that living spaces developed on upstairs floors of buildings could be marketed to young professionals, New College Institute students and “empty nesters.”
Officials have said that having people live uptown would lure businesses to the district.
Also, ways must be found to convince people who usually drive through uptown to stop and see what is there, Adams said. |
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