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Historic Atchison, Kansas Downtown/Riverfront Development Project. Atchison – est. 1854. Missouri River town 10,232 city population 30 minutes from KCI Airport 20 minutes north of Leavenworth 40 minutes north of Kansas Speedway. How It All Began.
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Historic Atchison, Kansas Downtown/Riverfront Development Project
Atchison – est. 1854 • Missouri River town • 10,232 city population • 30 minutes from KCI Airport • 20 minutes north of Leavenworth • 40 minutes north of Kansas Speedway
How It All Began • 1996 -Atchison community completed a comprehensive strategic plan • Identified the downtown/riverfront area as the #1 priority for development. • The area has the greatest concentration of historically, architecturally and culturally significant structures and sites and is the focus of efforts to improve Atchison’s image.
Chamber Initiative • Formed a Downtown/Riverfront Development Council • Received a planning grant • Hired an architect/planner • Held many public meetings-veterans, Yacht Club, downtown property owners • Developed a Downtown/Riverfront Development Master Plan • Applied for Community Development Grant
Downtown/Riverfront Development Plan • Primary goals of the master plan • Extend the retail district to the riverfront • Enhance the role of commercial activity • Treat the entire area as one unified district • Utilize existing historic buildings in the overall redevelopment plan
Commercial Street Corridor Project (Downtown) Comprehensive Development Grant • Injected over $1.5 million in downtown streetscape • Implemented facade improvement program • Purchased a dilapidated historic structure • Purchased key abandoned commercial property • Attracted an 80-employee manufacturer
Before…….. Façade Program/Design Guidelines
Riverfront Development Task Force Block north of Amelia Earhart Bridge
Riverfront/Independence Park Before……..
Riverfront Development Task Force • Accomplished donation of railroad property (2001) • Approved site plan and secured design funding (2002) • Initiated construction (2003) • Conducted fundraising efforts (2002-2004)
Project Elements • Walking/biking path along river • Green space and parking area adjacent to walking/biking path • Landscaping, trees, etc.
Dedicated June 19, 2004 2004 Summer Events June 12-20, 2004 July 23-24, 2004 July 3-4, 2004
Huge Economic Impact • Sesquicentennial – 5,000 people • Amelia Earhart Festival – 50-60,000 • Lewis & Clark Bicentennial – 85-100,000 • All within a six week period
What’s Next for Riverfront? • Designate areas to develop • Work with existing and new businesses
Secrets of Our Success • Public involvement • Good visual aids • Collaboration • Communication • Lots of Humor
Thank You For additional information please contact: Glenda Purkis Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce 913.367.2427 or ccpresident@atchisonkansas.net Photography provided by the Atchison Daily Globe and the City of Atchison and, presentation prepared by Steve Wilson, Jr.