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PRIORITY GOAL #3 <br /> Take Downtown Decatur to the Next Leve% <br /> a Healthy Core Benefits the Whole City <br /> OVERVIEW:The City of Decatur has made significant investments in its Downtown.The <br /> improved infrastructure has induced private investment in new restaurants,specialty shops <br /> and office buildings. Several building owners have opted to upgrade their properties by <br /> improving facades and by investing in building infrastructure (HVAC systems,structural <br /> enhancements, redesign of interiors,etc.). However,the City Council acknowledges that the <br /> central business district has not yet reached its full potential to attract more commercial <br /> activity,urban residential living,entertainment,etc.—all of which would help the central <br /> business district gain strength and grow outward into adjacent distressed areas to create a <br /> well-rounded `live-work-play-learn' environment downtown. <br /> t <br /> The City Council will continue efforts to mare Downtown Decatur stronger and more vibrant. <br /> A healthy urban core is an important indicator of local economic health. The following are <br /> specific objectives the City Council would like to see pursued: <br /> 1. Provide financial incentives for development of downtown residential projects. <br /> 2. Use a structured development strategy incorporating market analysis,new policies, <br /> fresh designs,tourism promotion to drive additional economic vitality. <br /> 3. Collaborate with and support the owners of the Lincoln Theater project. <br /> 4. Determine the best long-term use for existing public open space downtown and <br /> select others to run events in these spaces;encourage more downtown events. <br /> S. Assist others in attracting professional and/or retail uses into unoccupied spaces to <br /> better attract and cater to a broad cross-section of the community. <br /> 6. Give special attention to rehabilitating the warehouse district north of Eldorado to <br /> Wabash Street and the adjacent Crossing Campus development;but use of TIF <br /> financing should not require additional General Fund subsidy for this area. <br /> Key Implementation 5trategies: <br /> 1. Assist others seeking to enhance downtown (and similar commercial districts) by <br /> connecting them to grants, research,technical assistance providers,&other resources. <br /> 2. Support the MakerSpace/Thinkwell project for innovators/entrepreneurs downtown. <br /> 3. Consider creation of a downtown improvement district (using Special Service Area or <br /> other funding)to permanently support special events,maintain property inventories,& <br /> enable downtown costs to be more self-sustaining. <br /> 4. Based on residential and special event trends and driving patterns, update downtown <br /> parking needs plans. Start a parking assistance app for the Downtown area to help <br /> patrons more easily locate available parking spaces in real time. <br /> 5. Update municipal codes to incorporate:a) modern signage design and practice;b) <br /> creation of building design standards that ensure compatible and appropriate designs <br /> for new and refurbished structures;c)the increasing popularity of food trucks,and d) <br /> aspects of New Urbanism related to mixed uses,shared parking and high density living. <br /> Page ( 5 <br />