Community Conversation “Creating Resilient Downtowns” sponsored by Jasper Chamber
The Jasper Chamber is sponsoring a Community Conversation from the Ball State University Chair of Urban Planning Dr. Michael Burayidi about creating resilient downtowns.
Dubois County communities have come through the economic recession in relatively sound condition, but civic leaders recognize the need to move forward in ways that will enlarge the downtown role as the heart of the community.
Cities and towns across the country are concerned about keeping their downtown business districts alive and vibrant.
Professor Michael Burayidi from Ball State University will be in Dubois County on April 23, 2014 to present a keynote speech for interested residents as part of the Community Conversation Series.
The presentation will discuss an approach to central city planning that is distilled from extensive research into exemplary redevelopment efforts in fourteen small cities across the US. The findings culminate in a process for downtown development that focuses on residential development, immigration strategies, civic functionality, heritage tourism and good design practices.
Who should attend?
Stakeholders in economic development, community planning, real estate, elected officials, human resources managers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, tourism officials, cultural leaders, financial advisors and government officials are encouraged to attend and join the discussion.
Our speaker:
Dr. Michael Burayidi is the Irving Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Urban Planning at Ball State University. He has written and consulted extensively on the development of downtown areas. His book Resilient Downtowns explores how small-city downtowns have weathered economic boom and bust.
Agenda:
11:00-11:30 sign-in, 11:30 keynote speech and Q&A, 12:30 luncheon and table discussions
Reservations:
Fee: $25 per person. Register with the Jasper Chamber of Commerce ( chamber@jasperin.org – 812-482-6866)
Creating a Resilient Downtown
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
at the Habig Community Center, 1301 St. Charles, Jasper
Wish I could make it. We have to be careful about taking a big government central planning path as a small town. Too much central planning will make us no different than Washington DC elites who want to control our every move. The cities and county should find ways to shrink the role of government in our lives and reform/limit the regulations to streamline and promote economic growth. Central planning does none of this. The words of the speaker should be careful listened to and evaluated.
Hardly a “Community Conversation” at $25/ticket and in the middle of the work day…
More people would visit Jasper’s downtown if the businesses were more consumer based. There are mostly government buildings, legal practices and furniture stores. What businesses are there don’t stay open in the evenings when people generally go out and aren’t at work. I can think of only two businesses downtown that have consumer friendly hours, Libby’s and Yaggi’s. If more businesses downtown were more consumer based and less specialized, like that of 4th st in Huntingburg, our downtown would be much more vibrant.