HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-OR-63W~lereas,
Therefore,
Downtown ALIVE
A plan to energize downtown jefferson~ille
A Modest Proposal
Much has been said about re-vitalizing downtown
Jeffersonville, and
Many have stated that we need to help our downtown
come back from near death, and that all should give
support in accomplishing this goal, and
Now is time to quit talking and begin to do some
things that would attract and/or keep business
downtown,
let it be Ordained by the Common Council of the
City of Jeffersonville,
Section 1
For at least five years, a minimum annual appropriation
of 40,000 dollars will be made from the cumulative
capital improvement fund to provide for:
a. New period street lighting
b. More trash receptacles
c. Plantings on spring St. and Court Ave.
d. Other capital projects to be determined
Section 2
The City CounCil will continue and expand the City
Sidewalk Improvement program to improve access to our
downtown.
Section
A.
Bo
3
The Executive Committee of jeffersonville Main Street
Incorporated, is recognized by the jeffersonville City
Council as a Standing Select Advisory Committee.
The Executive Committee of jeffersonville M~in Street
Incorporated, in the capacity as a Standing Select
Advisory Committee, is charged with the following
responsibilities:
Development of a list of businesses that are
needed and desirable in our downtown. (only the
businesses on this list would be eligible for
special loans and/or abatements) see ~ c.
Make recommendations to the City Council in the
following areas:
a. zoning
b. capital improvement projects
c. special events
d. special ordinances
e. festivals
Section ~
The City Council shall create a Revolving Loan Fund:
a. To be used for expansion of existing business or
creation of new ones.
b. To consist of at least 200,000 dollars
50,000 from the City of jeffersonville
- 50,000 from Indiana National Bank
- 50,000 from Citizens Fidelity Bank
- 50,000 from First Federal Savings
(These loans will be made at as low an interest
rate as can be arranged)
c. Only the types of business on the list of
desirables would be eligible.
(We must attract certain types while creating
disincentives for others)
d. The participating local banks and the City
Council would determine the length and amount
of these loans, considering strongly the advice
of the banking members of this committee.
Section 5
One person from the jeffersonville Street Department
will be assigned, on a full time basis, to maintain the
Spring Street and Court Avenue area.
Section 6
The LaRose Theater
Every project needs an anchor or point of focus. We
propose that our focus be a Public Civic/Conference
Center based in the LaRose Theater. This facility will
be purchased, renovated, and maintained by the City of
Jeffersonville ( or by a Civic/Conference Center Board
and leased back to the City of jeffersonville ) for all
in our community to use and enjoy, We need to change
the way in which many people feel about downtown. A
Public Civic/Conference Center could offer many varied
types of events ranging from country music to orchestra
concerts, plays, magic shows, Saturday morning cartoons
shows, etc. This facility will serve as a gallery to
give local artists a showcase for their works. It is
easy to imagine how a conference center located in this
facility would complement other projects already
planned. Regularly scheduled events, in a facility such
as this, would give people a good reason to come back to
downtown Jeffersonville at night. When people begin to
come back downtown at night, restaurants, shops and
other business will begin to expand and/or relocate in
this area to serve the public needs.
Section 7
The City Council will create a Civic/Conference Center
Board to oversee the facility detailed above.
Section 8
Policy Statement
Low interest lans and tax abatements, coupled with
public works projects, would encourage and allow those in the
private sector who own the buildings on Spring Street and
Court Avenue to recruit the type of tenants that would help
build a thriving downtown.
We cannot, and should not attempt to compete with
shopping malls. Downtown Jeffersonville needs to create an
atmosphere that is unique, friendly, and nostalgic of our
historic river town past. Quality specialty shops, tasteful
entertainment, and restaurants are a few areas we need to
explore.
HopefUlly, the combined efforts of jeffersonville City
Government and the private business sector can create an
inviting downtoWn. We have several downtown merchants that
have stayed through difficult and trying times that will give
us a base from which to build.
We realize this proposal is but the framework of a
program, and that several companion Ordinances and
Resolutions will be needed for implementation.
We can make it happen. The time is now!
Approved by the Common Council of the City of
Jeffersonville this day of 199-- and
by me.
signed
Robert L. Waiz
president, Common Council
ATTEST:
C. Richard Spencer, Jr.
Clerk and Treasurer
presented by me as Clerk and Treasurer to the Mayor of
said City of jeffersonville, Indiana this _day of
199~.
C. Richard Spencer, Jr.
Clerk and TreastLrer
This Ordinance approved and signed by me this
day of ,199__.
Dale L. Orem
Mayor