Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010

Downtown Garner gets advice

Three experts who know a thing or two about jump-starting a downtown offered some advice to Garner leaders last week.

One, maintain downtown's historic roots while fostering new development, said Liz Parham, director of the Office of Urban Development in the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Second, assure potential businesses that local government is willing to spend money on downtown growth, said Jenny Mizelle, economic-development director in Holly Springs.

And third, create a place people will want to visit, said Greg Hatem, a developer who has helped transform downtown Raleigh into an area where businesses don't roll up the sidewalks at 5 p.m.

"You build a sense of place, and I don't care where you are or how you get there - they'll find you," said Hatem, a managing partner of Empire Properties.

Earlier this year, Garner adopted a downtown plan that calls for major development, including retail stores, restaurants, new housing and a downtown anchor like a community center.

The plan, put together by an urban-planning firm with the help of residents, calls for breaking downtown into three districts - an arts and cultural district near the Garner Historic Auditorium, a sports district north of Garner Road and a town center on Main Street.

A major part of the plan would be to connect downtown to U.S. 70, which drew growth away from Main Street and Garner Road years ago. The town could redo the corner of Montague Street and U.S. 70 to direct drivers downtown, the plan says.

"I think what's most important about the plan is that there is a plan," Hatem said. As the economy struggles to improve and developers remain hesitant about new projects, now is a good time to plan ahead, he said.

Decades ago, downtowns were the focus of cities and towns. Then, they fell out of the spotlight.

But that doesn't mean they can't be remade, Hatem said. His company has opened restaurants in downtown Raleigh that have become popular attractions.

"If the fabric worked 100 years ago, it probably works today," he said.

In Holly Springs, Mizelle said, "public investment was critical."

The town built a new town hall and cultural center. But even with dedication from local government, Mizelle said, developers have been slow to get on board. "It's slow," she said. "It's building."

Garner has outgrown its department, and ConAgra Foods donated $2.5 million to the town to help build a community center. But it's unclear whether town leaders would want to build downtown or elsewhere.

In Garner, Hatem said, proponents of a rejuvenated downtown should spread the word about the possibilities. "One thing you can do for free is be a cheerleader," he said. "Then it gets other people excited."