Steering Committee #1

1. Lincoln, Illinois Downtown Redevelopment Plan Steering Committee #1

2. Agenda • Visioning for Downtown Lincoln • SWOT Review • Understanding Appropriate Markets Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

3. Downtown Lincoln Redevelopment Plan 1. VISIONING

4. Visioning • Why revitalize downtown? • What do you hope to accomplish? • What should downtown look like in 5,10,20 years? • Important to be specific with small city downtowns – many roles and directions to take

5. Vision Statement – Mt. Vernon, IL By 2010 Downtown Mt. Vernon shall be a vibrant, prosperous and popular business and residential community filled with apartments, condominiums, restaurants, businesses and entertainment facilities such that Downtown Mt. Vernon is known throughout the region as the best downtown in Southern Illinois (2008)

6. Vision Statement – Houlton, ME "Houlton’s downtown is the heart of the community. We envision the downtown as a vibrant place for entertainment, shopping, dining, and community events. We envision it as a great place to live and do business, to meet people, to walk around, to see art and local history, to hear music and concerts, to enjoy holidays, festivals, and events. The downtown shall be a unique place that draws people to it" Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

7. Vision Statement – Mannheim, PA Manheim is a … • Local Retail and Service Community – by maintaining and enhancing its residential services, Manheim’s Market Square will become the quintessential “small town” business district. By promoting Market Square as a welcoming and pedestrian-friendly business district, it will be the place to be, to be seen, and to be with others. • Historic Community – by recreating a nostalgic business district that preserves and cherishes its historic architecture and local heritage. Manheim imparts its own community character into its seasonal and historical festivals and events, by featuring its local history of glass blowing and its strong connection to the railroad. • Regional Specialty Shopping Destination – by capitalizing on its central location connecting surrounding communities – Lititz, Mount Joy, Lebanon, East Petersburg and Elizabethtown, Manheim will direct its efforts to become a vibrant and inviting regional specialty shopping and restaurant destination. A visit to Manheim’s business district will be a memorable experience for both residents and visitors. This vision for the revitalization of the Manheim business district will be the catalyst for a dynamic and growing partnership among members of the community, business owners and various local and regional organizations to assure the attainment and sustainability of this vision. Manheim…Many of us call it home. To visitors, it feels like home

8. Vision Statement – Lock Haven, PA Downtown Lock Haven will offer a friendly environment for simple, yet fulfilling living with affordable housing, a broadening institution of higher learning, strong and growing public and private schools, trusted heath care institutions, safe streets and easy commutes to larger metropolitan areas to the east and west. Downtown Lock Haven is a Haven for: • Lock Haven University.  As home to Lock Haven University, the fastest growing university in Pennsylvania’s system of higher education, downtown Lock Haven will be a home away from home for university students, staff, alumni and their families and friends • Outdoor recreation enthusiasts.  Downtown Lock Haven will be the ideal location as a gateway to year-round outdoor and recreational opportunities offered by Central Pennsylvania’s vast forestlands – starting with Sproul and Tiagadhton State Forests, the scenic and wild West Branch of the Susquehanna River and its main tributaries, Bald Eagle, Fishing and Pine Creeks. • Artists and Art Enthusiasts.  With its rich historic architecture and river heritage, Downtown Lock Haven will provide a retreat for artists and art enthusiasts, offering opportunities for creative discussion and expression. • And families.  Offering a wide array of retail, service and dining establishments and a full calendar of activities, Downtown Lock Haven provides a safe inviting environment for families to live, work, shop and play. A unified and focused effort of downtown businesses, local government, education and residents of the community ensures the success of this vision for Downtown Lock Haven.

9. Visioning Exercise Why Revitalize Downtown Lincoln? • Business development • More/better retail and dining opportunities • Increase the local tax base • Create jobs • Fight sprawl • Stimulate the arts / entertainment • Reflect the history of the community • Promote civic pride • Increase community involvement Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

10. Downtown Lincoln Redevelopment Plan 2. swot

11. SWOT - Strengths • Downtown/City situated within sizeable region (966,617 people within 50 mile radius) • Low ground floor vacancy • Core of regionally appealing shops: (Three Roses Floral, Guzzardo’s, Beans and Such, Abe’s Caramel Corn Shoppe) • Strong historic architectural fabric (Courthouse and other buildings) • Lincoln Theatre • Scully / Latham Park • Concentration of civic and private destinations and services • Rail Service • __________________________ • __________________________ Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

12. SWOT - Weaknesses • Depth of the local market for retail • Gateways / Wayfinding to Downtown • Inconsistent brand • Organizational Capacity • Underutilized parks • Sidewalk infrastructure • Non-conforming land uses • No large employers • Size of downtown (# of retail spaces) • Depth of markets for upper story spaces • __________________________ • __________________________ Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

13. SWOT - Opportunities • Tourism – Route 66/Lincoln Heritage Corridor • Concentration of Thrift Stores • High speed rail • TIF District • Revitalization plan – funding for infrastructure improvements • __________________________ • __________________________ Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

14. SWOT - Threats • Organizational capacity within government and not-for-profits • Structural and architectural damage to buildings • Lack of adequate Façade restoration • __________________________ • __________________________ Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

15. Summary – Issues & Opportunities ISSUES • Local market – support for new/improved retail/dining offerings • Organizational capacity • Recognition within the region • Size of Downtown • Appeal of investment / starting business to non-locals OPPORTUNITIES • Visitors / Tourism • Events • Anchor Businesses • Lincoln / Route 66 • “Niche” retailing • Infrastructure / Aesthetic Improvements • Marketing Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

16. Downtown Lincoln Redevelopment Plan 3. Understanding markets

17. Community Residents Students MergingMarkets Downtown Neighborhoods Downtown Housing Residents Events Public Hospitality Visitors Employees Business Mix Tourism Private Investment Gathering Places Regulatory Framework Dynamic Downtown Environment

18. Community Residents Students MergingMarkets Downtown Neighborhoods Downtown Housing Events Residents Public Tourism/ Hospitality Visitors Employees Business Mix Regional Visitors Private Investment Gathering Places Regulatory Framework Dynamic Downtown Environment

19. Demographics

20. Local Demand

21. Local Demand

22. Comparison Cities 61% 68% 52% 52% 51% 55% 49% Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

23. Comparison Cities Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan

24. Next Steps • Workshops • Goal Setting • Redevelopment/Revitalization Strategies Lincoln, IL Downtown Redevelopment Plan