Many Ideas Shared At Community Vision Session

IRONWOOD, MI - Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - A respectable number of area residents and concerned people turned out for last night's Community Vision Session. The Session is part of the Michigan Cool Cities Blueprints for Downtowns initiative. This program takes a comprehensive, market-driven approach toward developing an action-oriented, downtown enhancement strategy. The prime objective is to develop an action strategy that will, over a five-year period of implementation time, move forward your community's traditional downtown toward economic enhancement. Measurable results that will be tracked include the creation of new private jobs and private investment in the downtown. The process of the "Blueprints" program will be highly inclusive, will take approximately five months to complete, and will result in the issuance of an action strategy. Ironwood was one of only six cities in the State to be chosen for this year's program. In the recent past 44 Michigan cities have participated in the program, 11 of which were in the Upper Peninsula. The six-year old program was established by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the Michigan Municipal League (MML). The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) assists in administering the program.

Delores P. Palma, of HyettPalma, an Alexandria, Virginia-based, nationally recognized consulting firm conducted last night's session. The firm will be working with the City in the coming months to establish and initiate a five-year plan to revitalize Ironwood's downtown business district.

Community Development Director Dan Petersen has been working tirelessly to make last night's session a success. Although the number of attendees might be a bit lower than he had anticipated, he has to be pleased with the outstanding audience participation and the volume of ideas and suggestions put forth.

Ms. Palma's goal last night was to establish a series of lists that will assist her firm in creating a plan (blueprint) for the City to follow to re-establish Downtown Ironwood as a regional shopping haven. In its heyday, Downtown Ironwood was well known throughout the Gogebic Range as a vibrant shopping destination.

Before Palma began the input session, she explained a little bit about the process. There are basically four elements in the program.

  1. Community Vision - Palma explained that HyettPalma would be in town for the remainder of the week. They will be holding several meetings to determine what the community is looking for in their downtown.
  2. Market Analysis - This will establish the available retail and office space information for Ironwood's downtown. This study assures that the Community Vision is viable and practical.
  3. Course of Action - This is that actual suggested "blueprint" to follow to make the community's vision a reality.
  4. Management - This is the actual implementation of the program. It establishes who is responsible for each and every action required to make the community vision a reality.

According to Palma, the "Blueprints" program is not a plan and it is not a study. It is a program of action. She explained that her firm had previously worked with over 50 Michigan city downtowns (including several U.P. cities) prior to the establishment of the Blueprints program. The Upper Peninsula cities they have worked with in the past included: Newberry; Sault Ste. Marie; Munising; Christmas; Whitmore; Ishpeming; Houghton; Iron River; Norway; and Menominee.

The first question Palma had for the audience was (the responses follow the highlighted questions)...

 "In the year 2014, when the program is completed, what would you like to see accomplished?"  

  1. Welcoming center of commerce
  2. Better parking lots (good condition) & sidewalks
  3. Clean, more attractive downtown - buildings in good repair
  4. Downtown working in harmony with the highway businesses - highway travelers would be aware that there is a downtown (promotional literature and signage)
  5. Lively downtown, multi-generational businesses, entertainment opportunities
  6. Remove unrecoverable derelict buildings
  7. Historical presence and the mining impact on the nation
  8. Downtown centrally located Chamber, information center, restrooms, map of businesses
  9. Historic feel, public arts, historic buildings, awe and excitement
  10. Better attitude of the people - friendly people so people want to return
  11. Celebrating Ironwood's Heritage -- not a victim of our heritage
  12. Lively theme - arts, outdoor activities, eating establishments, micro-breweries, possibly outdoor movies on the side of buildings
  13. Velin Building to house art gallery, etc.

"What will Ironwood look like in 2014?"

  1. Restoring buildings to the original grandeur
  2. Pocket parks, green space, more walking trails, etc.
  3. Specialty shops, better lighting at night -- Aurora Street and main streets
  4. Connection to Hurley, through themes and signage
  5. Better cleared streets and sidewalks
  6. Activities for youth
  7. Trails connecting downtown to the neighborhoods, parks and schools
  8. More consistency in the towns appearance - buildings maintained and in good repair
  9. Lighting with the "Old World Feel"
  10. Depot Park improvements - entire block becomes park
  11. No empty storefronts
  12. Old steam engine, old mining car at the Depot Museum
  13. Improve street corridor into the downtown including signage, wider streets, better access to the downtown

"What kinds of land (building)uses would you like to see in the downtown?"

  1. More retail
  2. Arts, galleries, etc.
  3. Eateries
  4. More green space
  5. Professional services
  6. Entertainment
  7. Specialty Retail
  8. Convenient services people can walk to
  9. Encourage young people to the downtown
  10. School run store
  11. New Library to encourage children and families to the downtown
  12. Conference space
  13. Outdoor recreation - tennis, volleyball, mini-golf, etc.

"What additional types of businesses would you like to see in the downtown?"

  1. Unique Clothing Shops
  2. Hardware Store
  3. Coffee Shop Open Until 9:00 PM
  4. College-aged targeted businesses
  5. Sporting Goods, Outfitters
  6. Lodging
  7. Used Book Store
  8. High Quality Yarn Shop
  9. Brewery
  10. Ethnic - Vegetarian Restaurants
  11. Grocery Store
  12. Art Gallery

"Who are the people who will be using the downtown? Who should be targeted to the downtown?"

  1. Families
  2. College kids
  3. Outdoor Enthusiasts
  4. Medical Center Conferences, etc.
  5. Silent Sports, hikers, walkers, etc.
  6. Farmers, farmer's markets, etc.
  7. Early retirees
  8. Highway travelers
  9. Visiting Family members
  10. Regional residents and city residents
  11. Theatre goers
  12. Reunion visitors
  13. Motorcycle riders
  14. People interested in genealogy & history
  15. Artists and writers

"What are the priorities? Based on the fact that money is limited, what are your priorities?"

  1. Fix streets coming into downtown
  2. Attracting silent sports users
  3. Appearance
  4. Strong Internet presence to promote the area
  5. Eateries, breweries, and reasons to come downtown -- coffee shops
  6. Incentives to improve buildings
  7. Adjusted business hours to accommodate people's lifestyles
  8. Cross-promotion between businesses
  9. Walking Tours and things other than retail sales
  10. Improved technology
  11. Library renovation
  12. Parks improvements
  13. More Flowers
  14. More retail and other reasons to come downtown
  15. Parking

"What issues need to be addressed?"

  1. Public restrooms
  2. Dog fecal waste & public urination in parks
  3. Public awareness of what is downtown
  4. Abandoned buildings that are not maintained
  5. Dysfunction, apathy, poor self-image
  6. Inability to make tough decisions, lack of follow through with projects, and groups working against each other
  7. Narrow streets
  8. Good enough attitude
  9. Parking
  10. Litter and trash
  11. Theme - a true theme works

"What do you want to be able to brag about in 2014 about downtown Ironwood?"

  1. Pretty
  2. Historically accurate but up to date
  3. Cozy and friendly
  4. Center for the arts (all types)
  5. So much to do
  6. Green outdoor gathering places
  7. Fun for the whole family
  8. Lots of people - Everyone goes there
  9. Safe
  10. Well marketed
  11. Walking friendly - year-round
  12. Quality
  13. Celebrate ethnic and cultural  heritage
  14. Variety of merchandise

"In the year 2014 you overhear tourists talking about your downtown. What do you want to hear them say?"

  1. It is so cool!
  2. We have to come back here and bring our friends!
  3. I'd like to live here!
  4. I wonder if there is an apartment for rent here!
  5. This would be a great place for a business!
  6. I'll move my company here!
  7. I'd compare this to a Broadway performance!
  8. I'm so glad that businesses are open late!
  9. When is Warren Nelson appearing again.
  10. Has everything we want or need.
  11. The downtown is bright and well-lit
  12. There's so much to do I have to come back.
  13. This has really changed since I was here last year.
  14. What a great micro-brewery!
  15. What a great Thai food restaurant.
  16. This area's growing.
  17. You can tell these people really care about their downtown.
  18. Friendliest people I've ever met.

A presentation of the findings of the Blueprints Program will be held May 12, 2009, at 7:00 PM. Palma told the audience that further comments can be emailed to Dan Petersen at petersend@cityofironwood.org or they may be dropped off at the Memorial Building.