Jordan Independent - Revitalizing Downtown Jordan - Comments

Preservation and

TresaKnox — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 11:54:40 -0500

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.

Mini Stillwater am I crazy

Lucy825 — Sat, 10 Mar 2007 17:22:21 -0600

Mini Stillwater am I crazy or what?
As a resident of 20 plus years I have heard it over and over, by both business people and local residents. Granted we don't have the St. Croix River... We do however have alot to offer. Several buildings on the National Historical Registry, many housing unique shops and a Beautiful Bed and Breakfast. A small town ball park that is out of this world, a beautiful park with a pond and waterfalls just blocks from downtown, a local meat market that has been in business for over 100 years, three apple orchards, a golf course, a state park... yes I can't believe how many locals don't know about it, a winery... yes who knew, I hear that they are scheduled to open this spring, a nationally known artist has her studio right hear in downtown Jordan. Call me crazy, buy I think that we could be a destination. I realize that downtown has some issues, my concern is that if we wait much longer to address some of the issues it may be too late to make sure that we do not lose the wonderful gift that we have in this historic downtown...

Or maybe, like me, they

TresaKnox — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:21:35 -0600

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.

It is a public parking spot.

Ray Sandey — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:53:07 -0600

It is a public parking spot. People must not like to park on gravel and then walk across the bridge.

I agree with the Stop for

TresaKnox — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:21:18 -0600

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.

I am fortunate that our

Ray Sandey — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:48:44 -0600

I am fortunate that our business has a parking lot. I know that parking is concern at the city level also. In working on the next Comprehensive Plan and at EDA meetings the subject is brought up quite a bit. Which buildings get removed to make parking is a big question.

I am also a believer that not everybody knows that its the law about pedestrians crossing. That law has only been in effect a few years.

I would like to see the Stop for Pedestrian signs put in the middle of the road, at least during the summer months.

I agree with everything you

RiverValleyGirl — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:37:53 -0600

I agree with everything you just stated. (especially the part about knowing where to find them when looking for donations!)
The reasons I support/don't support business are simple...do I need what they are selling? I realize there are several antique shops/boutiques in Jordan, but I have never spent a dime in them. Not because I don't support them, but because I have no interest in what they have to offer. The businesses that do come in and have something to offer of personal interest to me, I would gladly spend my money there before driving to Shakopee etc. SO maybe before people choose to open a business in Jordan they should stop and ask themselves, is there a market for what I am selling? Jordan is still a relatively small town for specialized stores to thrive in.

As an added note, I live in

RiverValleyGirl — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:28:06 -0600

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 think a part of the

RiverValleyGirl — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 14:19:06 -0600

I think a part of the problem is the serious lack of parking. If it isn't convenient, people aren't going to shop here. For the people that live in the downtown area and can walk, crossing 21 can be a challenge itself! Cars rarely stop for pedestrians. It isn't so much that they won't stop, as that they don't stop because they can't even see you unless you stand out in the road. This is because of the "yellow" area being too short. The solution isn't to extend that "yellow" area either, that makes even less parking for the businesses on 21! What is the solution?

With the older buildings we

Ray Sandey — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 09:45:06 -0600

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.

Can anyone tell me why we

Lucy825 — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 07:33:38 -0600

Can anyone tell me why we have so many empty buildings in downtown. I am thinking of our upcoming festivals in Jordan, and how it looks bad to the people that will be visiting our town to see so many empty buildings.

I know several people who

Lucy825 — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 14:51:52 -0600

I know several people who have had small businesses in downtown Jordan. Some have only been able to stay open for a few months, some stayed open for a few years. They have all told me the same story. Jordan residents and local businesses do not support small local business. It's as simple as that. When a small shop closes you will hear comments that the community did not even know that they were there. I don't buy it.... Most of those small business owners have told me that the community and civic organizations know how to find them when they are looking for a donation for their upcoming fundraisers. I have always been totally amazed at how generous this local business community is. I think that it is time that this community starts showing the business community how grateful they are by patronizing the local businesses...

Revitalizing Downtown Jordan

Mathias Baden — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 00:00:03 -0600

What would it take to revitalize downtown Jordan? What would it take for you to shop here?