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The goal of the Downtown Collinsville,
Inc. Economic Restructuring Committee is to strengthen the economic
stability of the downtown Collinsville area. By providing technical
assistance and education to retain existing businesses, providing
information and assistance to prospective businesses, and actively
recruiting new businesses, the committee hopes to create a vibrant and
exciting, revitalized downtown business district.
Downtown Business Analysis
- Inventory all downtown area businesses.
- Maintain database of business owners'/managers'
information.
- Create and maintain file folder on each.
- Include photos of businesses.
- Take special notice of businesses with historical
significance.
- Develop map to identify downtown anchors and business
clusters and patterns.
- Identify market strengths and weaknesses.
- Analyze retail vs. service oriented businesses.
Downtown Real Estate Analysis
- Inventory all downtown area buildings and properties.
- Maintain database of property owners' information and
information about the property, including tax value & assessment.
- Create and maintain file folder on each.
- Include photos of buildings and properties.
- Take special notice of buildings with historical
significance.
- Develop map to identify properties and locations.
- Develop a prioritized list of physical improvements
needed.
Downtown Opportunities
- Inventory vacant buildings and properties.
- Maintain database of property owners' information and
information about the property, including tax value & assessment.
- Create and maintain file folder on each.
- Include photos of vacant buildings and properties.
- Take special notice of buildings with historical
significance.
- Develop map to identify properties and locations.
- Create marketing pieces featuring available downtown
properties.
- Work with owners and real estate agents to market and
promote properties.
- Create "Opportunities" page on the Downtown
Collinsville web site.
- Develop relationship with new Community Development
Director to actively market downtown opportunities.
Governmental Policy Issues
- Work with officials in regard to city ordinances,
procedures, code issues, etc.
- Act as a liaison between the city and business and
property owners in regard to city ordinances, procedures, codes issues,
etc.
- Educate business and property owners with information
and resources regarding government policy and code issues.
- Maintain accurate and updated records of city issues
facing downtown businesses.
- Keep updated records of city, state, and national
codes.
- Review of city sign ordinance to possibly be more
appropriate for downtown business and property owners. Research and
provide Main Street/National Trust information.
- Create appropriate rehab/restoration guidelines for
existing structures based on historic preservation.
- Create design guidelines for new construction/infill
sympathetic to the context of the site and based on the historical look
and feel of the surrounding area.
- Encourage and promote the "Economics of Historic
Preservation."
- Work with new Community Development Director to
create and market incentive packages that would be attractive to
prospective downtown businesses.
- Create information folder/packet to present to
interested parties about locating a business in downtown.
Downtown TIF Program
- Promote and encourage downtown property owners to
participate in the Downtown TIF Program.
- Create new brochure highlighting TIF program
participation with the new Community Development Director.
- Promote the use of historical photographs for the
rehab and restoration of buildings.
- Educate business and property owners with information
regarding the ins-and-outs and do's-and-don'ts of TIF.
- Provide information and assist with the decisions on
paint, colors, materials, awnings, windows, signage, graphics,
lighting, etc.
- Provide resources, from architects to contractors,
during all aspects of the project.
- Assist applicant with required paperwork and
documentation.
- Maintain accurate and updated records of all aspects
of each project.
- Present projects to the City Council for approval of
funding.
Future objectives:
- Review downtown TIF boundaries.
- Present to City Manager and/or Community Development
Director a map with suggested areas for expanded TIF district.
- Work with city officials to appropriately expand TIF
boundaries.
- Actively seek new projects for program.
Historic Preservation Advocacy Issues
- Coordinate design and architectural assistance from
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency for downtown property and
business owners.
- Provide Main Street/National Trust information and
encourage adaptive reuse.
- Take a proactive role in the preservation of downtown
buildings, be they private or publicly owned.
- Exhaust all efforts before succumbing to the
ridiculousness of demolition.
Economic Restructuring Training and
Education
- Always take the opportunity to promote and encourage
the "Economics of Historic Preservation."
- Maintain an updated resource center of Main
Street/National Trust information.
- Provide Econominc Restructuring training seminars for
volunteers, property owners, and others as needed.
- Host business seminars to educate and assist downtown
business owners and managers. Check with local speakers bureau or
agency. Seek funding if necessary.
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