Main Street Revitalization Plan for the Princeton Main Street Revitalization Steering Committee ‐ April 2017 To make a tax‐deductible contribution to Princeton’s Main Street Revitalization Fund, go to: www.srccf.org/princetonmainstreet The Princeton Main Street Revitalization Plan and nomination of Princeton’s Historic Main Street districts to the National Register of Historic Places have been made possible by Landmarks Illinois, with a grant from The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation. This plan was produced by Scott Mehaffey, Landscape Architect, LLC. ©2017 Main Street Revitalization Plan for Princeton, Illinois Table of Contents I. Foreword & Recognitions: Joel Quiram, Mayor, City of Princeton II. Preface: Bonnie McDonald, President and CEO, Landmarks Illinois III. Introduction: Scott Mehaffey, Planning Consultant IV. Main Street Evolution and Current Challenges A. 19th Century Origins B. Early 20th Century Improvements C. Later 20th Century Evolution D. Preserving Main Street’s Architecture E. Beautifying Main Street’s Streetscape F. Community and Economic Development V. The Plan A. Design Program: Vision and Recommendations B. Implementing the Plan C. Plans and Highlights Sheet 1: Progress Drive to Interstate 80 Sheet 2: Interstate 80/Route 26 Interchange Sheet 3: Interstate 80 to Backbone Road Sheet 4: Backbone Road to Private Drive Sheet 5: Private Drive to Railroad Avenue Sheet 6: Railroad Avenue to Clark Street Sheet 7: Clark Street to Washington Street Sheet 8: Washington Street to Central Avenue Sheet 9: Central Avenue to Peru Street Sheet 10: Peru Street to Park Avenue Sheet 11: Courthouse Square VI. Appendices A. Acknowledgements B. Phasing Diagram C. Planning Process, Communication and Oversight D. Community Vision Workshops – Strategies Worksheet 1 Foreword and Recognitions Joel Quiram, Mayor City of Princeton “Where Tradition Meets Progress.” This has been the motto of Princeton, Illinois, for over a half‐century – and yet those words are truer today than ever before, as we anticipate a future which builds on the strong foundations of our past. Today, rural communities everywhere are challenged to meet the ever‐shifting economic, demographic and social conditions resulting from changes in technology, manufacturing, commerce, consumerism and culture. To remain viable, and hopefully vibrant, in the 21st century, rural communities must be entrepreneurial and strategic, taking careful inventory of their assets, leveraging them for greater results – and protecting them for generations to come. For nearly two centuries, people have come to Princeton to enjoy the charms and comfort of a friendly and forward‐thinking community. The steadfast anchors of small town living “back then” – family, friends, home, worship, school, clubs, sports, cultural events – remain important today. At the heart of our historic community is Main Street: a place of commerce but also for coming together. Main Street provides a public space where citizens meet and greet, where young and old take delight in the company of others – and increasingly, to enjoy year‐round events and activities. With the rise of generic and “soulless” box stores and strip malls, has come renewed appreciation for the unique character and experiences that Main Street provides. Princeton’s two miles of Main Street commercial districts extend from Park Avenue to Progress Drive – these names alone suggest the ambitions and determination of earlier generations to keep our community prosperous and competitive. From irreplaceable architectural treasures of nineteenth century homes and commercial buildings, to the highly‐functional and efficient manufacturing and distribution facilities of the twenty‐first century, Princeton’s Main Street welcomes both tourists and business leaders, and provides diverse employment opportunities for area residents. And yet Main Street itself remains largely neglected: nearly devoid of greenery, a hodge‐podge of aging and sometimes deteriorated “hardscape” with few places to sit and converse, and even fewer amenities for the walkers, runners and bicyclists who enliven this important thoroughfare. Throughout the past year of Steering Committee meetings, site walks, visits to other historic Main Street communities, an online survey, three consecutive Community Vision Workshops, a Town Hall Meeting and several presentations – one guiding principle was clear: Princeton residents cherish our Main Street’s historic character, and we want to preserve and enhance it for current and future generations. 2 The Main Street Revitalization Steering Committee deserves much gratitude and congratulations for this important milestone: the culmination of a year’s work and countless hours of meetings, discussions, and creative thinking. Kimberly Scott (chair), Rick Brooks, Kim Frey, Mindy Fritz, Brian Gift, Kim Hanke, Ryan Keutzer, Steve Keutzer, Scott Mehaffey, Pete Nelson, Annette Schnabel, Rachel Skaggs, Melissa Steele and Michael Zearing continue to provide leadership and vision for Princeton’s Main Street. In addition, Dave Hornbaker, Pam Lange, City Council Members Ray Mabry, Jerry Neumann and Bob Warren have all supported this effort – as well as the nearly eighty volunteers who participated in three successive Community Vision Workshops (see Acknowledgments page in the Appendices) – and the nearly five‐hundred anonymous respondents to our Main Street preferences survey. Recognition and appreciation also goes to Gisele Hamm and Linda Blaine of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, who conducted the Community Vision Workshops; Landmarks Illinois and The Barbara C. and Thomas E. Donnelley II Preservation Fund Grant for funding our visiting team of preservation professionals during the Assessment and Analysis phase; and to The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and Landmarks Illinois for funding this report and nomination of Princeton’s Main Street to the National Register of Historic Places. This Main Street Revitalization Plan is ambitious, and success depends upon a continuing commitment to quality and ongoing civic engagement. The vision and recommendations set forth by this Plan will not be realized if merchants, property owners, service clubs, citizens, donors, volunteers, the City of Princeton, the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and others fail to cooperate and collaborate. Although much work has already begun, there is still additional planning, detailed decision‐making, fundraising, construction, maintenance, and much marketing and promotion yet to come. So please do your civic duty and get involved! Working together, we can preserve and renew the rich traditions of Princeton’s past – while meeting the challenges and opportunities of progress. 3 Preface Bonnie McDonald, President and CEO Landmarks Illinois “Everything old is new again!” How many times have we heard that phrase, and yet it rings true when we see nationwide interest in revitalizing our rural communities. From the National Main Street Center, Inc. program to USDA Rural Development programs to the Citizens Institute on Rural Design and countless grassroots organizations, America’s small towns are being celebrated and revitalized. After decades of population decline, job loss and economic struggles, rural communities are reinventing themselves to provide improved quality of life for existing residents, as destinations for tourism, and for new residents who have grown tired of urban living. Many of these towns at the center of America’s heartland are finding new hope and energy through community‐based planning or “placemaking” – and Princeton, Illinois is a shining example of this emerging trend. Since its founding in 1971, Landmarks Illinois has grown to represent thousands of voices across our state that value historic places. Our mission to preserve, protect and promote the architectural and historical resources in Illinois through advocacy and education encourages us to provide experience and guidance where people are already working to make a difference. We are delighted to support Princeton’s Main Street Revitalization efforts, including this planning report – which we consider to be a model for other rural communities – as well as the nomination of Princeton’s historic Main Street districts to the National Register of Historic Places. Throughout Illinois and the nation, we see continued interest in heritage tourism and historic immersion experiences, as younger generations seek authenticity, a deeper connection with their environs, and understanding the story of the places where they live, work and play. As Princeton and other historic communities work to preserve and promote their local, regional and national significance, Landmarks Illinois will continue to be a resource and partner. Simply put, we stand behind “People Saving Places” and firmly believe that by reusing places of the past, we are creating a better future for communities across Illinois. The people of Princeton are to be congratulated for their dedication and vision by investing in this Revitalization Plan. While this revitalization process begins with streetscape and open space enhancements, the Plan also calls for historic preservation of Princeton’s Main Street, improved wayfinding and interpretation, and business retention and recruitment through active community and economic development. These efforts require an ongoing commitment from leadership, but also widespread support and participation from community members. We believe that Princeton’s past provides a strong foundation