Downtown Revitalization Committee Meeting
Thursday, May 6th, 2021 @ 5 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday June 3rd @ 5PM
In attendance were Tracy Brookshier, Brittany Henke, Stan Swartz, Amber Grote & Jessie McMorris
——————————————– PROJECTS ———————————————-
Benches on the square Project Lead: Brittany Henke, Tracy Brookshier
NECC Building Trades class was working on 4 more planter/benches for us; unsure on a completion time as they no longer have an instructor. We already have 3 people ready to sponsor these.
Downtown Dream Project Project Lead: Tracy Brookshier
The lots that we have downtown have plans to create one large event/public space. It consists of multiple projects consisting of:
- Downtown Market Place Chalets: We have our first “blue” chalet up and in the process of gaining a new renter and potentially hooking up to water/sewer for them; depending on the cost we may utilize these hook ups to build a small restroom on site. We have the “red” chalet (aka the Santa House) moved into place and Craig Burnett (Forever Primitives) is donating paneling to finish out the inside, as well, Dempsey Construction is donating insulation. Our 3rd chalet (Grey) will be delivered in 4-6 weeks, we purchased a Cumberland farms 8×12 cabin with porch. We received the $3,000 grant for the chalet project and it cost us $3,690.00. It will be a dark grey with white metal roof and trim.
- Downtown Entrance Building: We discussed that we likely will not have the funds for this project for a while, with lumber prices continuing to rise. We accepted the bid to build this from Dempsey Construction. The estimated cost was less than $14,000.00 last year and we are sure it is more now. This will be the glorified entrance to our lot space. It will have event storage, ticket window, windows to display upcoming events and a breezeway full of plaques for our donors.
- Liberty Theatre Stage: (No new updates as of 5/6/21).We are hoping to get this done fully through donations. The stage we are thinking will be a simple deck platform roughly 20’ x 16’ with a roof to use for entertainment. We have reached out to the Lions Club assistance. If you know of anyone interested in helping please let us know.
- Concrete planters: We have 11 planters lining the edges of our downtown lots. These have all been sponsored and have flowers planted. Additionally, we are commissioning Sherri Grote to paint murals on all of them. We have 1 planter at Kustom Works hair salon, and hope to have more of these lining the side of south court street leading from crossroads to the square. We have 6 more planters being moved around the square near the courthouse steps. We also have a few outside businesses interested in having a planter. We also have a few businesses who are interested in sponsoring. As of right now, of the planters mentioned, they are all sponsored. Once we get more planters in place, more sponsor opportunities will come. Sponsorships are $450 for 4 years. This funds the cost of materials and flowers for 4 years. Businesses wishing to have one that are outside of downtown will need to water it themselves, as we have PCADD watering ours that our downtown now. Bleigh Ready mix is making more planters and has said these will be exclusive to us, so anyone wanting one will have to be purchased through us. ALSO, MASH has donated money for us to purchase hanging solar string lights and they are mostly put up, just a few more to go!
- Seating/Entertainment: We have requested picnic tables of some sort, new or gently used to place on the gravel portion of our lots. Cole Branstetter has reached out to some that may be willing to build us some.
In total these projects will cost us roughly $50,000.00 once complete. We will continue to do fundraisers until complete.
Bringing Interactive Art Downtown: Project Lead:
A couple businesses downtown have already had fun with this idea, we hope to have places to add these in the future.
Historical Walking Tour: Project Lead: Brittany Henke
(No new updates as of 5/6/2021). Brittany has gathered a good amount of Bowling Green History for this project and we discussed getting the information on some sort of plaque to add to the planters that we are already working on in order to save money; the planters would then serve double duty!
—————————————- EVENTS/FUNDRAISERS ———————————–
Food Truck Fridays: Project Lead: Danielle Orf and Tracy Brookshier.
At this time, we have decided to offer food trucks to use our lot for serving food and just ask them for enough notice so that we can help promote them being there.
Shop-2-Win Downtown Punch Card Raffle: Project Lead: Tracy Brookshier, Brittany Henke
We did this again fall 2020, still only profited a small amount (around $100) but we feel we will continue each year as it gains interest.
Downtown Hoedown: Project Lead: Tracy Brookshier, Brittany Henke
We are moving forward with this event this year, we have booked our entertainment and are now looking for event sponsors. Chamber website has been updated with all the relevant information.
Champ Clark Heritage Festival/Paint the Street: Project Lead: Tracy Brookshier
We have decided not to do a beer garden/concert this year. The few volunteers we had the last couple years doing it don’t have the energy as it made for an extremely exhausting day. Instead we are just going to continue with the Paint the Street event during the festival as it went over well the first year we did it. This year everyone will be open to paint during the designated time. There will be an entry fee and cash prizes again for votes taken via facebook. We have plenty of left over paint from the previous year, so we will only need to purchase brushes again.
————————————— OTHER BUSINESS —————————————–
Vacant buildings on the square Project Lead: Brittany Henke, Tracy Brookshier
The old Peoples Tribune building is for sale by Jim Turner. There is an office space available to rent by Jim Wells right off the square. Bill Allen has been working on the Ben Franklin building and hopes to have 2 businesses open within it by the end of the year. We have not heard anything new from Mario on the old Dos Primos building. Chad Perkins is supposed to be getting us information regarding his available store front. Travis Dixon owns the building that is behind Ann Layne (next to Spring Hollow Coffee) and is hoping to have it ready to rent by this fall. I have not reached out to Spring Hollow lately for an update regarding their building remodel.
Grants Project Lead: Sarrah Gigous, Brittany Henke
We have been told that we have someone working on a grant for our committee that would potentially give us $6,000 to put towards our downtown marketplace projects! Keep your fingers crossed!
https://bgchamber.org/area-information/downtown-revitalization/
www.facebook.com/bgdowntownrevitalization
Tracy Brookshier – Chairperson – 314-971-5886 tbrookshier@pikecountyhealth.org
Next Meeting! Thursday June 3rd, 2020 @ 5PM
