With the older buildings we have a couple of owners in town that own multiple buildings.

These owners had spent a lot of time fixing up the upstairs apartments and getting them rented as that was what was in demand. For a while there had not been a huge demand for the store front spaces.

Now the times have changed and you are seeing many of the store fronts being renovated and they will be available for tenants soon.

I serve on the EDA and that same question was brought up. It was decided that it isn't a real problem because there were not for rent or for sale signs on these buildings. They were vacant by choice.

Do we want vacant buildings in our downtown, NO, but I think the owners are now working to get them filled. I know a few businesses coming soon.

As an added note, I live in the downtown area on Broadway Street, and nothing is more frustrating than coming home after work and having to park two blocks away from my apartment, and carry my infant in sub-zero temperatures. I have gotten into arguments with business owners because my family was "using too much parking" (two cars) and their customers complained of walking too far. How can anyone win here? My point is that not only do we have a lack of parking spots, but renters are competing for and taking up spaces due to the fact that few of these buildings have off street parking. And before I get a comment like "if you don't like it move" I would like to add that the rent in the old buildings is incredibly affordable, and if everyone avoided living here because of the poor parking, none of the building owners would have renters.

I agree with the Stop for Pedestrian signs, especially on Broadway Street. I think it would be helpful all year, especially when the snow is piled on the corners. Plowing may be an issue, but maybe one could talk to New Prague to see how they handle that.
More Speed Limit signs downtown could help too, as many, many drivers don't go 30 mph downtown.
I have been thinking about the parking issue. I don't know if it's a possibility because I don't know who the owner of the property is, but could the parking lot behind the FeedMill next to the ballpark be designated as Public Parking during certain hours? Available hours would have to be posted so it wouldn't interfere with the events that use the parking area. Don't most people park up closer to the ball field during games? Public Parking signs could direct drivers from Broadway to the lot, as I've seen in other towns.

Or maybe, like me, they don't know it is. Those blue Public Parking signs directing them from Broadway Street and at the entrance to the lot could help.

Preservation and revitalization of our downtown is something I am passionate about. With more of our historic buildings potentially on the chopping block, now is the time to begin a grassroots effort to see if we can create in Jordan what has been created in so many other small towns committed to this cause: Henderson, New Ulm, Stillwater to name a few. There is a great website and program from the National Trust for Historic Preservation called the Main Street program. The first question is "Why should we revitalize?" The Main Street program has a great answer:

"Your downtown or traditional commercial district is the most visible indicator of community pride, along with its economic and social health. It is either an asset or a liability in the effort to recruit new residents, new businesses and industries, retirees, tourists, and others to your community and to keep those you already have. Quality of life is what separates successful cities and towns from declining communities in the new millennium. Finally, your downtown or neighborhood commercial district is the visual representation for your community's heritage. The architecture of your commercial district is a physical expression of your community's history. The Main Street approach encourages forward-thinking economic development in an historic preservation context so this community asset and legacy can be passed on to future generations."

Find out more about the benefits and success stories at www.mainstreet.org.
Does anyone else share this passion for seeing this happen in our community? Gail Anderson did a terrific job getting many of our buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and documenting our history. I personally would like to see this preservation of Jordan's history continue.