Mt. Sterling, Illinois, Uptown Long-Range Strategic Plan a Redevelopment Blueprint
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Mt. Sterling, Illinois, Uptown Long-Range Strategic Plan A Redevelopment Blueprint PRESENTED TO THE Citizens of Mt. Sterling KIKU OBATA & COMPANY | NOVEMBER 1, 2011 Mt. Sterling, Illinois, Uptown Long-Range Strategic Plan A Redevelopment Blueprint City of Mt. Sterling, Illinois Prepared by Matt Bradbury, Acting Mayor Kiku Obata & Company 6161 Delmar Blvd. Tracy Family Foundation Suite 200 Jean Buckley, President St. Louis, MO 63112 Downtown Mt. Sterling November 1, 2011 Steering Committee © 2011 Kiku Obata & Company CONTENTS I. Acknowledgements . VII Zone 3: Uptown District – Land Use Plan Civic Leadership / Civic Pride / Civic Engagement Introduction District Character Images Land Use Plan – Proposed Phasing West Entry II. Introduction / Background . 1 Public Realm Improvements City Entry at US 24 & IL 99 Introduction Introduction East Entry Overview Brown County Courthouse View from Capitol & Main Looking North History Water Tower Restoration & Water Tower Park Civic Plaza Views of the Community Brown County Civic Plaza Capitol & Main Intersection Looking East and West Market Analysis Capitol Avenue Streetscape Improvements American Legion Building Strengths and Weaknesses (Needs / Opportunities) Main Street Streetscape Improvements Main Street Infill Building Character Study Bike & Pedestrian Connections Youth Center Introduction Regional Proximity Map Private Investment Opportunities The Center of Brown County Introduction IV. Development and Design Guidelines . 59 Agricultural Community and Major Food Block 1: Washington Street | West Court Street | Development and Design Guidelines Overview Distribution Hub North Street | Alley Introduction Architectural Detail Block 2: Washington Street | Alley | North Street | Organization Community Values East Court Street Importance of Historic Preservation Hunting Block 3: North Street | Alley | Main Street | Planning and Urban Design Recreation / Environment West Cross Street Uptown District Character Crafts / Local Artisans Block 4: North Street | North Capitol Avenue | Historical Context Goals and Objectives Main Street | Alley Materials and Color Vision Statement Block 5: North Street | Alley | Main Street | Commercial Streetwalls & Setbacks North Capitol Avenue Building Heights Block 6: Main Street | Alley | South Street | Entrances III. The Blueprint . 27 West Cross Street Landscaping & Screening Introduction Block 7: Main Street | South Capitol Avenue | Sidewalk Café & Outdoor Merchandising Zones Development Zone Map South Street | Alley Surface Parking Lots Development Zones Block 8: Main Street | Alley | South Street | Street Furniture South Capitol Avenue Metal Benches & Trash Receptacles Specialty Benches Planters Bike Racks & Sidewalk Fence IV MT. STERLING, ILLINOIS, UPTOWN LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN & REDEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT Architecture and Built Environment Signage and Environmental Graphics Building & Facade Design Historical Precedent VII. Conclusion . 117 New Building Construction Signage Introduction Storefronts Freestanding Sign Mt. Sterling, Illinois Timeline Typology Storefront Facade Sign 2011 Action Items Retail Identity Transom Sign Materials & Design Awning Sign / Canopy Sign Color Projecting Sign VIII. Appendix . 121 Neighborhood Display Window Graphics & Door Graphics A. Reviews of Recent Planning Reports & Zoning Code Additions & Infill Construction B. Site Reconnaissance Existing Buildings C. Maps Evaluating Existing Renovations V. Mt. Sterling’s Brand . 103 Map 1: Zoning and Districts—Existing Inappropriate Modifications Brand Strategy Map 2: Zoning and Districts—Proposed Historic Renovation & Tax Credits Introduction Map 3: Current Building Occupancy Storefront Design Brown County / Mt. Sterling, IL Logo Map 4: Current Property Ownership Goals Main Identifier Map 5: Contributing Building Character Rationale Made in Mt. Sterling Logo Map 6: Existing Parking Composition Made in Mt. Sterling Community Logo Map 7: Future Parking Storefront Types A, B, C, & D Marketing and Public Relations Strategy Overview D. Interview Summaries Display & Storefront Windows Seasonal Festivals Merchandising Zone Mt. Sterling Tree Program Awnings & Canopies Mt. Sterling Flower Program Awnings Canopies Maintenance VI. Implementation Strategy . 111 Architectural Details Business, Community and Economic Development Doors Organization Windows Introduction Planters Potential Organizational Structures Lighting Phasing and Priorities Backs of Buildings Potential Sources of Funding Recruitment and Retention Program MT. STERLING, ILLINOIS, UPTOWN LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN & REDEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT V ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Downtown Mt. Sterling Steering Committee donated considerable time, energy and creativity to provide direction to all aspects of planning for Mt. Sterling’s Uptown revitalization, including preparation of this strategic plan and blueprint. Members and affiliations are listed. Steering Committee Jean Buckley Tracy Family Foundation Pat Tracy Dot Foods Karla Metz Tracy Family Foundation Steve Gragg Brown County Action Team / Dot Foods Debbie Willis Willis Insurance Bob Willis Willis Insurance Philip Krupps Brown County Development Corp. / TIF Committee Andy Holler Mt. Sterling City Council Sandy Truwesych Two Rivers Regional Council David Slocum Brown County Historical Society, Tracy Family Foundation Marianne Slocum Brown County Historical Society Jeremy Flynn Mt. Sterling Library President / Farmers State Bank John Oliver Dot Foods Suzy Kassing Dot Foods Eric Bricker U of I Extension / United Way of Adams Co. Brad Kassing Ray Insurance Consultant Team Kiku Obata & Company St. Louis, Missouri Kevin Flynn, FAIA, Dennis Hyland, AIA, Igor Karash, Kiku Obata, Paul Scherfling, Carlos Zamora MT. STERLING, ILLINOIS, UPTOWN LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN & REDEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT VII VIII INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND 1 2 INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND MT. STERLING, ILLINOIS, UPTOWN LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN & REDEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT INTRODUCTION Kiku Obata & Company considers it a distinct privilege opportunities, a character study that highlights Part Five presents an overview of the Mt. Sterling to partner with the citizens of Mt. Sterling, Illinois to significant attributes of the area, and the project goals brand, a marketing and publication strategy outline, help shape important aspects of the future of Mt. and objectives, along with the citizens’ vision for their a suggested series of seasonal festivities and proposes Sterling through the creation of this Long-Range future. the adoption of a Mt. Sterling tree and flower Strategic Plan & Redevelopment Blueprint. This program. Part Three is the actual blueprint which outlines a document articulates a vision and frames an action development strategy for the District and the different Part Six is the implementation strategy section plan to guide revitalization of the Uptown District and development zones. It contains a desired lease plan which outlines potential organizational structures adjacent zones in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. strategy for the core blocks in the Uptown District for overseeing future developments to ensure they The future success of the uptown area of Mt. Sterling along with the potential development opportunities are in compliance with the long-range strategic plan. will require cooperation of the private and public for the blocks in that zone. Finally, this section It provides conceptual costs for key development sectors in the community in order to ensure that highlights several public realm projects that will parcels, presents a proposed phasing and priority underlying community values are respected, that a create the canvas for private development. list for the projects, and outlines a recruitment and sense of community is maintained, that residents’ retention program for supporting existing businesses Part Four contains a proposed set of development concerns are heard, and that quality of life issues are and attracting new businesses. and design guidelines designed to foster factored in all decisions. development of the Uptown District of Mt. Sterling Thereafter, a strong District business and economic in an efficient and vibrant way. They are designed development organization can build upon a to create a spirit of cooperation between all parties, shared vision and the community’s sense of their providing creative ways in which changes can occur responsibility for a common destiny, and be while maintaining respect for the history of the empowered to implement the blueprint. District. Using this resource, building owners and developers can create positive growth in an easier, The Long-Range Strategic Plan & Redevelopment focused manner, maintain a neighborhood sensibility Blueprint has five major components: in the area, and develop a vital economic district that The Introduction / Background section of the report is a retail destination for local residents, residents of contains a brief overview of the community, a Brown County, guests, tourists, and workers. historical overview, views of the community, market analysis, an outline of community strengths and MT. STERLING, ILLINOIS, UPTOWN LONG-RANGE STRATEGIC PLAN & REDEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT INTRODUCTION | BACKGROUND 3 OVERVIEW Phase I of the Mt. Sterling Uptown Long-Range There is one school district for the County, and those Total retail sales generated in Mt. Sterling in calendar Strategic Plan & Redevelopment Blueprint involved schools are located in Mt. Sterling. A lot of effort has year 2009 were $29.3 million. The City receives $1 in several activities,