The public will have a chance to weigh in on a proposal to restructure the city’s economic development efforts and to spruce up the main business areas of the city during a public hearing on Monday, Feb. 11 at the City Council Chambers at 7 p.m.
“The city and the Downtown Advisory Committee are very excited to be working with such a seasoned team of experts to move the revitalization effort forward and extend the improvements that we have completed throughout the past several years in the downtown mall (and) Sweden Street areas,” said Mary Walton, director of community development. “We are looking for the public to assist us in providing its input to ensure a community-based plan that will be part of the economic stimulus the city needs.”
The Downtown Revitalization and updated TIF (tax increment financing) plan, written by Wright-Pierce Civil and Environmental Engineering Services and Kent Associates Inc., is funded in part through a $10,000 grant. The plan includes proposals to improve the looks of outer Sweden, South Maine, High and Water streets and Bennett Drive and also details plans to change traffic patterns and potentially develop the riverfront along the Aroostook River.
Funding for the proposed public infrastructure improvements is anticipated through the downtown TIF program, which will invest newly captured value from private improvements within the district.
The plan recommends that the city’s economic development efforts should be under the city’s direction. Currently, that responsibility lies with the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The city’s economic development program and resources should be more closely aligned with the Office of Community Development and other city departments’ programs and resources,” the plan said. “Planning, community development and economic development should all fall under the city’s direct administration.”
The city should invest in a marketing plan for the downtown area, according to the plan. Marketing and promotion, organization and economic restructuring are three key components of a successful revival plan.
“Caribou’s economic development programs for the downtown district should be expanded to better provide for economic restructuring, and a downtown marketing study and plan should be developed to enhance downtown business opportunities,” the proposal said.
Almost 270 acres are targeted for potential redevelopment in the revitalization plan. The effort is an expansion of the effort implemented in 2000, where more than $1 million worth of improvements went into the Sweden Street-downtown mall area.
According to the plan, one of the priorities is to add “gateway” signage at entrance points to the downtown area. A “wayfinding” signage system also is proposed to help visitors find key destinations.
The plan also proposes to implement a grant program to encourage business owners on High Street, Bennett Drive, and other areas to improve the facades of their structures.
Another plan is to expand the development district to include more of South Main Street, since that section is a gateway to the downtown area, according to the proposal. Inclusion of that portion of Main Street would also allow those business owners to take advantage of any funds realized from the program.
An intriguing part of the plan is proposed development along the Aroostook River front. Several individual projects, which were part of the 2004 Caribou Recreational Trail Plan, are a new inn and restaurant and a multi-use trail bridge across the Aroostook River. Implementation of these proposals depends on the availability of state and federal funding programs, according to Walton. Improved traffic circulation and intersection improvement, outlined in a study commissioned by MDOT in 2003, also is part of the overall plan. Record Street should have two-way traffic in order to make downtown businesses and services more accessible.
Benches to provide resting areas and trash bins should be installed in the Sweden Street and others areas in the district, according to the plan. Planters would also add to the looks of the district.
Another suggestion is to change the looks of the small park at the east end of the downtown mall, so it has less of a “drive-thru” appearance and more of community park atmosphere.
High Street, which connects the Sweden Street area with Bennett Drive, also needs to have sidewalk, streetscape and landscaping improvements. Lampposts and trees would add to the looks of the roadway, the plan said.
The improvement elements should expand right to Bennett Drive, according to the proposal. Lampposts, signage and benches were among the amenities that should be installed, according to the plan.
City officials are encouraging local residents to attend the public hearing.
The draft plan will be available on the city’s Web site by Friday, Feb. 8 at www.cariboumaine.org.
Written comments will be accepted up until the day of the hearing.
Study highlights Caribou business growth, changes
By Debra Walsh
Staff Writer