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PRIORITY GOAL #3: TAKE DOWNTOWN DECATUR TO THE NEXT <br /> LEVEL BECAUSE A HEALTHY CORE BENEFITS THE WHOLE CITY <br /> Summary of Goal #3: The city of Decatur has made a significant investment in its <br /> Downtown. The improved infrastructure has induced private investment in new <br /> restaurants, specialty shops and office buildings. Several building owners have <br /> opted to upgrade their properties by improving facades and by investing in building <br /> infrastructure (such as HAVC systems, structural enhancements, redesign of <br /> interiors, etc.). However,the Ciry Council acknowledges that the central business <br /> district has not yet reached its full potential to attract more commercial activity, <br /> more urban residential living, entertainment, etc.—all of which would help the <br /> central business district gain strength and grow outward into adjacent distressed <br /> areas and create a well-rounded`live-work-play-learn' environment downtown. <br /> Discussion. During its retreat, the City Council discussed the following downtown <br /> strategies: <br /> 1. Attract a hotel to the downtown (requires hiring of a hotel consultant) <br /> 2. Incentivize additional downtown housing projects <br /> 3. Develop amenities to attract more families and visitors to the downtown <br /> 4. Collaborate with others to improve the Lincoln Theater <br /> 5. Determine the best long-term use for open space between William and <br /> North Streets,west of Water Street(events, farmers market, fountain?), <br /> and whether/where additional downtown green space should be added <br /> 6. Aggressively attract professional and/or retail uses of unoccupied space <br /> on the upper floor of the former Sears Building [Decatur Public Library] <br /> 7. Organize more special events to attract a wider and more diverse group <br /> of citizens and visitors to the downtown, focused on existing downtown <br /> open spaces (e.g., Central Park), and have more frequent events <br /> 8. Give special attention to rehabilitating the warehouse district north of <br /> Eldorado to Wabash Street and the Crossing Campus development; but <br /> use of TIF financing should not require additional General Fund subsidy <br /> 9. In addition to the above, determine what additional retail and service <br /> enhancements would be appropriate additions to downtown <br /> Strategies.Action steps associated with the above strategies include: <br /> 1. Commission a market study for a downtown hotel,with a recognized <br /> leader in providing such analysis that includes the following information: <br /> Is a downtown hotel viable? Is viability dependent upon public financial <br /> participation? If appropriate,what types and levels of public participation <br /> would be appropriate and publicly supported?What hotel brands would <br /> be appropriate in the Decatur market?What are the best sites?What <br /> impact would such a development have on other Decatur hotels?What <br /> commitments for regular use of a new hotel can be secured from local <br /> entities?What would be the likely mix of business and visitor use? <br />