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Save the State: Revitalizing Downtown Owatonna. About our project. Began exploring Save the State Committee had disbanded Further research showed us a larger issue needed to be addressed. What’s been happening to downtown?. Before WWII, downtowns were the center of cities;
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About our project • Began exploring Save the State • Committee had disbanded • Further research showed us a larger issue needed to be addressed
What’s been happening to downtown? • Before WWII, downtowns were the center of cities; they were a primary commercial and social spot • Over the past 50 years, downtowns across America have changed drastically due to: *interstate development-increased transportation between larger cities
More that has changed our downtowns… *sprawl-brought people away from downtowns, into suburbs *white flight-wealthier citizens left urban centers *bedroom communities sprung up along the interstates
More that has Changed Downtowns… *more malls-took business away from downtowns *neglect of buildings
More that has changed our downtowns… *presence of “super centers” where convenience has become more important than customer service to many consumers
Is downtown Owatonna suffering as much as downtowns on the national level? • According to local business owners, downtown Owatonna is healthy • Owatonna Shoe • St. Clair’s for Men • Kristi’s • Central Park Coffee Co.
Continued… • But, the last official study of downtown was done in 1991 (before many developments on the NW side of Owatonna), and no current and official statistics are available…
Our Survey Since our community leaders couldn’t offer any current statistics, we decided to survey the public on our own • Distributed surveys and collected data from 100 Owatonnans • Demographics • Shopping habits • Thoughts on the theatre
How has your shopping in downtown Owatonna changed with the developments on the NW side of town (Cabela’s, Super Wal-Mart, etc.)?
Would you support the renovation and reopening of the downtown theatre?
Do you believe a renovated theatre would bring more evening activity to downtown Owatonna?
Would you be willing to contribute funds to help renovate the theatre?
Would you support the use of your tax dollars to help renovate the theatre?
National Statistics… • There was a lack of local and national statistics on the health of downtowns • After e-mailing, we were still unable to find local or national statistics
National Statistics… • According to Dr. Kent Robertson, a regional economist and director of Community Development Program at St. Cloud State University, author of Can Small City Downtowns Remain Viable? A National Study of Development Issues and Strategies, “Numbers are hard to find because they don’t exist”
According to Dr. Robertson… • But, “our intuition is correct” • “Thousands of communities, large and small, are trying to do the same thing.” Owatonna needs to follow the examples of these communities and actively revitalize our downtown Austin, MN
Kenbridge, Virginia • Population: 1264 • Improved and renovated downtown buildings and building facades • Market analysis • Replaced sidewalks • Planted trees in downtown • Installed decorative streetlamps • Repaired/replaced curbs and gutters • Installed decorative trash receptacles
St. Paul, Minnesota • Population: 287,151 • Built new offices and filled open ones • New hockey franchise and arena • $140 million housing development • $20 million renovation of Marshall Field’s Self-sustaining flow of investment
Where does the theatre fit into this puzzle? • If downtown Owatonna is suffering as we think it might be, the theater could have a positive impact on many aspects of its health *pedestrian traffic *decreased vacancies *increased revenue
Can a theatre really help revitalize a downtown area? • According to Tisha Sheldon of the League of Historic American Theatres, “We don’t have statistics to show how many communities have used historic theatres to revitalize their downtowns, but it must be at least a thousand thus far.”
“It was only after many of these downtown theatres were restored and reopened that people realized the significant economic impact they had on the community.”
“Any perception of the downtown as either dangerous or dead-as-a-doornail can be overcome when more and more citizens spend their evenings in the area.”
Lanesboro, Minnesota Downtown falling apart: • Residents moving out • Loss of vital local businesses • A theatre was opened by two New York trained actors • Inns and restaurants opened • Task force started
Lanesboro, Minnesota • Now most goods and services are concentrated in the central downtown • Tourist attraction • Town’s economy is booming
What’s next for the theatre? • Community support is necessary for the theatre’s success • Involvement of city officials and community leaders • Publicity throughout the greater Owatonna area • The OACCT received estimates of the costs of renovating the theatre
Acquisition Wiring Plumbing Finish carpentry Flooring Technical equipment Re-create murals Concessions equipment Personnel Permits/Fees Curtains/Panels Furnishings Total price: over $1,057,000 Renovation
Funding for the theatre Areas: • Local government contributions • Local businesses • Non-profits • Grants • Fundraising • Private citizens
Ponder this… “Preservation isn’t something smart people do when they can afford it—it’s something they know they can’t afford not to do.” -National Trust for Historic Preservation
