Laurel one of seven towns to get state and federal help with design of downtown area
By Tony E. Windsor Members of state and federal downtown development organizations met with Laurel officials last week to begin discussions about potential ideas for the town's downtown center. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, Diane Laird, state coordinator of "Downtown Delaware" and Kathy La Plante, program Officer for the "National Trust Main Street Center," a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, came to Laurel and met with Town Manager Bill Fasano. Before the day was over, the trio had toured Laurel's downtown area and met with business leaders and shop owners. The visit was part of a special Delaware Economic Development Office (DEDO) initiative that seeks to work with municipalities throughout the state with an emphasis on helping to design a plan to revitalize commercial districts and help attract businesses and promote entrepreneurism. Laurel was chosen as one of seven communities in Kent and Sussex counties to receive technical support from DEDO and the Downtown Delaware project. The technical assistance comes as part of a $234,643 grant awarded to DEDO as part of a federal initiative through the USDA Rural Community Development office. The seven rural towns will receive state and federal technical assistance over the next three years. Though the towns receive the one-on-one type support for their individual commercial districts, any community can take part in the services that are provided to the towns. For Laurel much of what contributed to it being chosen as one of the seven "USDA Recipient Towns" has to do with the fact that the town's federally recognized historic district incorporates much of the downtown area. This in addition to the proximity of the Broad Creek to the downtown made Laurel desirable for the program.
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According to the Main Street program guidelines, "Main Street is a program of economic development whereby communities build on their downtown's unique character and assets including historic (buildings, landmarks, public areas) and natural assets (waterways, beaches). In all cases, a significant core of historic buildings must be present in the Main Street town and preservation of these buildings must be an ongoing ethic within the community." At this time there is no commitment from the town of Laurel to become involved in the national "Main Street Program," but Fasano says the technical support provided as part of the USDA and DEDO initiative in very beneficial to the community. The downtown development has been a discussion point for Laurel officials and recently Mayor John Shwed appointed a special Economic Development Committee for the town. The committee has not officially started formal meetings, but Fasano said having the Mainstreet and Downtown Delaware technical support would be helpful for the committee. In the initial portion of Wednesday's meeting Laird and La Plante asked Fasano about the current status of Laurel's downtown and what the town forecasts the future development to include. Fasano explained that there have been discussions about the vision for the downtown area, especially along Market Street. Informal discussions with community and business leaders have alluded to the possible development of commercial businesses on both sides of the street, including the area that is now occupied by Market Square Park. The park was developed back in the 1990s when the grassroots organization, the Laurel Redevelopment Corporation (LRC) was formed. Business leaders joined forces as part of the LRC after downtown businesses began to migrate to US 13 and the commercial buildings left behind fell victim to substandard rentals and eventual deterioration. The LRC used private funds as seed money to make efforts to demolish the deteriorating, unsafe buildings along Market Street. In the process the park became mandatory open space as part of the revitalization efforts that involved use of some state funds passed through the Town of Laurel in partnership with the LRC. The LRC went on to expand its revitalization efforts north to the area known as "LaurelTowne." The LRC projects include the development of commercial buildings that now house the stores of Laurel Towne, the Georgia House restaurant and the Ellis Medical Office Building. On Wednesday, Fasano, Laird and La Plante toured the downtown area and spoke with business owners. In order for the town to take full advantage of learning the design and promotion techniques offered through the USDA, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Downtown Delaware, it is suggested that along with the town and local businesses, there be input from entities including the Laurel Chamber of Commerce and the LRC.
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