Visions for what could be for Jasper explored
Jasper — At the end of the presentation on the plans for the downtown and riverfront area of Jasper Tuesday night, Mayor Terry Seitz said, “I would like you to never ask this question – ‘Why should we?’ Instead I ask that you walk away from here tonight and ask the question – ‘How might we?'”
The question grew out of the plans that were developed by Barry Alberts with CityVisions of Louisville, and David Gamble of Gamble Associates of Boston as they were presented to about 150 attending at the Cabby O’Neill Gym.
Throughout the presentation Alberts and Gamble took turns presenting ideas that centered on six points:
1. Major themes from the first public meeting
2. Building off Jasper’s strengths
3. Building a critical mass
4. A vision for the factories
5. Courthouse Square
6. Integrating Art in the public realm
It was the contention of both men that the City of Jasper needs to especially emphasize points 4 and 6.
They pointed out that the Riverwalk area has about 500,000 square feet of empty industrial space. The two recommended using these existing facilities to create a dynamic and attractive set of spaces that could hold retail, residential and other community endeavors.
They gave several modern examples of cities utilizing former-industrial buildings to create retail and residential space and displayed suggestions on how Jasper could redevelop some of its buildings.
To assist in revitalizing the current eyesore that is the Jasper Cabinet building, the pair recommended developing Second Street into a new street that connects Third Avenue and Main Street, which would give an address to the plans for the Jasper Cabinet building.
Next, bring out the artistic elements into the public realm. That includes outside artistic displays that are developed by local manufacturers and citizens incorporating design contests with the goal of creating art that is indicative of Jasper’s history and vision. These pieces should be ongoing; not one-time design and implement, but ever changing.
Alberts and Gamble suggested changes to the infrastructure in the downtown area like creating a boulevard approach to south Main Street from the county courthouse all the way to the river, where a new pedestrian only bridge would be constructed. The boulevard would end south of the courthouse at another focal point.
The two talked about the need to expand the Riverwalk to encompass both sides of the river near the train depot and in the area of the old Jasper Cabinet Building. Along with this addition to the Riverwalk, steps should be taken to make it more accessible from the the downtown as well as adding more features to encourage more activity in the area.
To accent the business development in the downtown area, they recommended the city encourage property owners to restore building facades while celebrating the historical characteristics of the square. In addition to this development, Alberts suggested the businesses and city provide more things to do downtown after 5 p.m. with the emphasis on Jasper’s downtown being a place to live, work, play and eat.
Alberts said that all of the ideas were carefully vetted and said that there were three questions that needed to be answered:
- Is this something that is appropriate for the community?
- Is it something that meets the aspirations of the community?
- Is it viable from a financial and physical point of view?
Alberts stated the next step is for those attending to fill out the provided 3×5 cards with suggestions and in about six weeks, a final set of recommendations would be made at another meeting.
Mayor Seitz was enthusiastic and realistic about the presentation. “City Visions said that they would not come up with recommendations that were not viable,” he said. “And I think as we saw things here tonight, whether it’s private money […] or whether it’s public money – of which we have to be very cognizant what we invest in – there’s nothing I saw that would be really ‘pie-in-the-sky’ and not viable.
During the question and answer section of the program one attendee asked about the financial investment required to undertake such an adventure. Alberts stated the city has several avenues to pursue in regards to funding, including grants for the redevelopment of the existing properties.
The session was positive and the attitudes showed a willingness to work with the City to see accomplishments toward some of the plans in the presentation. The next meeting will be sometime in the fall.
Aesthelically, all this is great! Financially, where are you going to find people to invest that kind of money in a flood zone? I don’t see that being addressed. I’ll have to pop in on the next meeting…
I really don’t see how we need any more hotels, but I do like the idea of the library by the riverfront. Also would love to see more food and bar choices around there, it would make a great opportunity for bar crawls and other activities. I also agree with the comment above also there would have to be something done to fix that area to where it wouldn’t flood.
If this remodeling is possible, then they can fix the time bomb at Newton and 11th.
We are already saturated with hotels. There is not a need for more hotels in Jasper.
I don’t think they are suggesting a brand name hotel move into the suggested hotel space. I think they are thinking along the lines of a boutique hotel that would serve as a hotel and tourist attraction in one. One of the slides shows pictures from the 21c Museum hotel here in Louisville: http://www.21cmuseumhotels.com/louisville/ . A hotel like this would draw in a specific visitor type. I would not envision too many families, in town for a trip to Holiday World, booking rooms at a hotel like this.