Announcement: Downtown Revitalization Meeting Dec. 14

The third public meeting on revitalizing Downtown Hamilton will be at 6:00 PM at City Hall on Tuesday December 14th. The meeting will include a review of physical improvements recommendations and solicit input on organizing downtown stakeholders for implementing the plan and managing downtown revitalization efforts over time.

Hamilton Adds to Revitalization Committee

The City has tapped two downtown merchants to join the Downtown Revitalization Committee as the committee works together with city officials and staff and the Planning Team to develop a revitalization plan for Downtown Hamilton. The new members are Eddie Lyle (owner of Solid Gold Jewelry) and Richard Kitchens (owner of The Sports Gallery).

Welcome aboard Mr. Lyle and Mr. Kitchens!

Downtown Hamilton Market Study

On November 9th, the Planning Team presented highlights of the Downtown Hamilton Market Study conducted by Dr. Arthur Allaway. The study suggests that Downtown Hamilton may bolster its economic revitalization efforts by targeting four markets:

1. those who live in a 1.5 mile radius of Downtown Hamilton, 
2. middle and upper income households within a 5 mile radius of Downtown Hamilton, 
3. those who live in other parts of Marion County and visit Downtown Hamilton on a monthly or more frequent basis, and 
4. travelers on Corridor X between Memphis and Birmingham (who could be attracted to Downtown for more than fast food and fueling up)

The analysis involved research into the spending capacity and interests of Marion County residents and the types of businesses already serving those needs and interests. In essence, the gaps---what residents have to travel outside of Hamilton to buy---represent retail development opportunities. But, not all opportunities are equally feasible and only certain types would be fitting for Downtown Hamilton. Dr. Allaway's report suggests the following types of businesses, in addition to what is there now, have a real chance of success Downtown:

• Locally owned lunch/dinner restaurant
• Artist studios and exhibit space/store
• General or mercantile store
• Regional offerings store
• Multiple antiques and architectural collectibles stores
• Plant nursery
• Clothing store(s)
• Furniture store
• Book store
• Electronics store
• (Authentic) Hardware store
• Specialty grocery store

 Download the the full report HERE.

Public Meeting No. 2

Thanks to all who attended the meeting last night (Tuesday November 9th). If you were unable to attend or if you were there and would like to review the presentation again, use this link: Meeting #2 Presentation.

Feel free to leave any comments or questions here. You can also email them directly to the Planning Team.

Announcement: Downtown Revitalization Meeting Nov. 9

The second public meeting on revitalizing Downtown Hamilton will be at 6:00 PM at City Hall on Tuesday November 9th. The meeting will focus on preliminary recommendations for improving downtown's physical environment, including:

• land use (institutions, retail and services, offices, housing, etc.)
• traffic
• pedestrian and handicap accessibility
• parking
• new development and redevelopment opportunities
• historic preservation

Comments Following Meeting No. 1

The  following comments were received after the first public meeting on October 12 in response to the discussions of that evening.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: What locations would you choose to be included on a postcard for Hamilton?

• Jerry Brown, Missy Miles, and other local artists and their work
  

Public Meeting No. 1

Thanks to all those who attended the first public meeting last night at City Hall. For those who attended, please review the notes we took during the meeting and let us know if we missed anything. For those who weren't able to come, this is your chance to catch up. Feel free to add your opinion by commenting on this post.

ASSETS: What are physical characteristics at/above your own personal standards?

·         Marion County Courthouse

·         Churches

·         Local Businesses

·         Hamilton House

·         Restaurants

·         Coffee shop

·         First Street SW

·         Pocket park

·         The Ramp

·         Intersection of 3 highways

·         “Best KFC in world”

·         Safety

·         Banks

·         Hamilton Public Library

·         Schools

·         Bevill Center/Community College

·         North Mississippi Medical Center

·         Easy walk to neighborhoods 

·         Veterans Memorial

 

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: What locations would you choose to be included on a postcard for Hamilton?

·         River (near Indian Mounds)

·         Indian Mounds

·         Toll Gate Sign

·         Hamilton House

·         Waterfall (near old State Trooper HQ, needs clean-up)

·         Grist Mill

·         Veterans Memorial

·         Rankin Fite Airport

·         Marion County Courthouse

·         Local Art

·         What used to be (Ford building, old theater)

·         Bevill Community College

·         Old bank building

ISSUES: What are physical characteristics below your own personal standards?

·         Buildings/Facades

·         Parking around Courthouse

·         Telephone poles in sidewalk

·         No public restrooms

·         Drainage problems (1^st Street SW area)

·         Vacancy

·         Sidewalks

·         Cleanliness, maintenance

·         Handicap accessibility

·         City hall

·         Speed of traffic (esp. on Military St.)

·         Traffic lights on Military St., poor timing

·         Lack of lighting, maintenance

·         Power lines

·         Truck traffic (esp. making turns)

·         Some businesses close Wednesday afternoons

·         High gas prices

 OUTSIDE FORCES: What outside forces are affecting or may affect downtown revitalization?

·         ALDOT

·         Internet service providers

·         Emergent care (NMMC has only one)

·         Manufacturing sector

·         Two income families vs. 9-5 downtown business hours

·         County schools

 SACRED COWS: What community elements should we not propose to change too much or remove?

·         Churches

·         Marion County Courthouse

·         Hamilton Public Library

·         Bevill Community College

·         North Mississippi Medical Center

·         Rankin Fite Airport

 

DOWNTOWN MISSION: Why do you live, work, invest or visit Downtown Hamilton?

·         The people (of Hamilton)

·         Home

·         Family

·         Convenience

·         Business investment

·         Property investment

·         Beauty

·         Money

·         Weather

·         Pride

·         Potential

·         Growth

·         Safety

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES: What types of businesses are needed in Downtown Hamilton?

·         Grocery store

·         Clothing stores

·         Places to buy “new” items

·         Pharmacy with weekend hours

 

MISSING FROM YOUR VISION: What is missing today that is in your future vision for Downtown Hamilton?

·         Jobs

·         Better maintained buildings

·         Landscaping, greenery

·         Activity

·         People staying longer

·         Housing

·         Unique shopping experience

·         Comfortable, inviting environment

·         Better parking arrangement

·         Nighttime activity

·         Lighting

·         Thriving businesses

·         Meeting or gathering place

·         Activities for all ages

·         Bowling alley

·         Multi-purpose building/Civic Center

·         Tourism

·         Foot traffic

·         Sidewalk dining

·         Alcohol sales

·         Variety of retail

·         Better overall appearance

·         Dining options

·         Public transit, bus station

·         Weekend hours for courthouse

·         Friendly merchants

·         Welcome center

·         More personal services

·         Greenspace

 

WOW QUESTION: What would make you say “Wow. I’m glad we/they did that in Downtown Hamilton,” if looking back 10 years from now?

·         Utility poles gone

·         Ample parking, a parking deck

·         Lighting

·         Clean streets

·         Landscaping, greenery

·         Buildings occupied

·         Customers

·         Welcome signs

·         Gathering place(s)

·         Vibrant activity

·         Businesses open later, more

·         Documenting and telling the history of Hamilton

·         Street trees

·         Bakery

·         Street furniture

·         Better signage

Hamilton Downtown Revitalization Committee

The Hamilton Downtown Revitalization Committee is a steering committee created by the City of Hamilton to oversee the development of a downtown plan and to help execute revitalization strategies. The Committee includes:

Larry Nix

Barry Mixon-Planning Commission

Brenda Burleson-Planning Commission, Downtown Merchant

Kimmy Vinson-Beautification Board

Tyna Pyburn-Northwest Alabama Arts Council Board

Dale McCreless-Planning Commission

Bill Tyra-Planning Commission
Eddie Lyles-Downtown Merchant
Richard Kitchens-Downtown Merchant

Downtown Planning Process Launches

On Wednesday September 8 the Hamilton Downtown Revitalization Committee met with the consultants who will be helping the Committee develop an overall plan for downtown revitalization. Also in attendance were members of the City Council and Planning Commission and Mayor Holiday. Jason Fondren of KPS Group outlined the process and timeline for preparing the plan. Throughout its duration, the process will include regular public meetings to engage downtown merchants, property owners and the community-at-large. The first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday October 12 at 6PM. The location will be announced soon.

The Downtown Revitalization Plan has been funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments (NACOLG) is administering the grant funding for the city and will participate in the planning process. Also working with KPS Group are Dr. Arthur 'Buster' Allaway of the University of Alabama's School of Business, who will prepare a downtown market study, and Skipper Consulting, who will provide guidance on traffic and parking issues.

On completion of the process, a Downtown Revitalization Plan will be presented by the Revitalization Committee and the Planning Team to the City for adoption. Fondren estimated that the plan could be ready in January 2011.