What does "tired" actually mean in a smal rural community

[RodMelotte]

I'm an artist from a small town and now a member of out CDA (planners). Talking to people I hear the word "tired" when they talk of Columbus Wi a bedroom community. What does that actually mean and how can we combat this.

I feel we have all the ingredients (or most of) to make this town a goto place IF we can start to get the word out, advertise, brand and so forth. I have always said this town hates to brag and half the population hates change of any kind. For a town of 5000 we have 27 holes of golf, a hospital, 6 highways and a very busy Amtrak station and an ever growing down home CHEERS-LIKE brewpub. The city demographics are slowly changing as people move from Madison, 25 miles away.

The problem is the downtown which was ignored by the city council for the last 15 years as just a bunch of old historic buildings and the strip mall by the highway was the real future. Finally the make-up of the council is changing and there is hope. Now we need to get some businesses who's sole purpose is to "survive" because "thriving" would mean a lot more work for them to get on board.

I'm trying to be the energy bunny.

We have a major highway construction in a few years so we are looking at new street scrapes - can someone point be towards what works and what does not in this area?

Rod

[dvdneal]

I always think of small town development as just a couple questions.
1. What is it you want? Don't just answer change or growth or some other big idea, be specific. Do you want to be an artist community, bedroom community for Madison, what is your big goal?
2. Why would I as some living in Madison or some other big city want to come to your town? What can you offer me?

Find that one thing you can offer that none of the other towns can. Some ideas I've seen:
1. Apple picking
2. Mainstreet USA, but mainstreet has to have unique shopping like antiques or a local town that does Swedish themes near me.
3. Food
4. A stop for bikers on their ride - usually means food, bar, entertainment
5. Drag races
6. Art exhibits/galleries

Once you find the one thing that might attract people you have the next job of announcing it to the world.

I'm thinking more in terms of a tourist, but you can also ask why I should live in your town. How's the housing stock, schools, entertainment, jobs, etc.

Good luck!

[Cardinal]

Streetscape (sigh). Wisconsin is still sold on the old strategy of streetscape as a solution for downtown revitalization. Cities know infrastructure so it is comfortable for them. Our survey for the Wisconsin Downtown Action Council noted that, and pointed out that city officials tended to measure downtown success by whether or not they built something, rather than whether it resulted in new businesses or investment. They were the most likely to say their downtown revitalization efforts were successful - and the same communities to have the highest downtown vacancy rates. I am going to state it strongly that streetscape should only serve to complement the uses in the buildings. If downtown will be small offices there is no need to have an elaborate streetscape (and really, if downtown businesses appeal to people for shopping or dining, there is no need for an elaborate streetscape either). Streetscaping will not fill buildings. It can make the uses in those buildings more appealing. So what it comes down to is first determine what uses can succeed downtown and then decide which of those appeal most to the community. First market anaysis. Then design.

There are some good communities around Madison that you might consider when you think about a future for Columbus. Lake Mills comes to mind. My sense of the "tired" comments is that there has been little investment in noteworthy renovation, or new businesses. There are exceptions, of course, but you refer to owners who just hang on (and leaders with the same mentality). This is pretty common.

I'm just down the street from you (well, Waukesha) but I'd be happy to meet with you or any other folks with an interest in the downtown. You might also want to consider attending the annual downtown conference (www.wisconsindowntown.org) this fall. Most of all, good luck. Columbus has the potential to be a very nice community/downtown.

[DetroitPlanner]

Streetscape (sigh). Wisconsin is still sold on the old strategy of streetscape as a solution for downtown revitalization. Cities know infrastructure so it is comfortable for them. Our survey for the Wisconsin Downtown Action Council noted that, and pointed out that city officials tended to measure downtown success by whether or not they built something, rather than whether it resulted in new businesses or investment.

I agree 100%. A streetscape in itself won't do jack if people do not find the place to be either convenient or unique. There are more streetscapes in dead downtowns than there are in lively ones!

[mike gurnee]

To me, a "tired" downtown means that it is mostly intact, and that the city councils have not messed it up with bad ideas. Consider it a grand opportunity.

[Gedunker]

People have to have a reason to gather downtown. A few stores or pubs won't do it with sufficient effect. You either have to do it with an investment in downtown or near downtown housing, or some public facility, such as a YMCA or something similar. When you get a sufficient mass of people downtown, the retailers will follow. That's a fact.

"Tired", to me, means drab, shabby, untidy, on life support.

I agree with Cardinal about the value of streetscapes to revitalize downtown, but with one caveat: If the street is designed with the focus on vehicles - moving them through with the greatest efficiency possible (read: speed) and lots of parking - a streetscape project that gives the street back to the people (road diets, complete streets, those types of things) will help people take the street back from the motor vehicle. And that's always a good step in getting people back downtown.