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The Urbana community is invited to attend an important visioning session regarding the downtown’s continued revitalization hosted by Heritage Ohio, the organization that administers the Ohio Main Street Program.
The event will take place on Oct. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 116 W. Court St., Urbana.
Heritage Ohio’s DART (Downtown Assessment Resource Team) visit brings revitalization experts from across the state to Urbana to assess various aspects of the community. These professionals will evaluate real estate, marketing, public spaces, events, and organizational capacity, with the goal of creating a strategic plan for the future of Urbana’s downtown. As part of this planning process, this visioning session is being held to garner community input and insights.
Earlier this year, the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, the City of Urbana, and the Monument Square District applied for and were awarded a scholarship to help cover the costs of the DART visit, making this opportunity possible.
Purpose of the DART visit:
-Professional Evaluation: The DART team will meet with key stakeholders, tour downtown Urbana, and gather local insights.
-Public Presentation: The initial visit includes a public session where the community can learn about the benefits of downtown revitalization.
-Strategic Planning: Findings from the visit will inform recommendations that will be presented in a follow-up visit, 4-6 weeks after the initial assessment.
This is a unique opportunity for local residents, business owners, and property owners in Urbana to contribute to the continued growth and success of the downtown and to learn what strategies have been employed by similar communities in further revitalizing their downtowns.
We encourage all community members to attend this visioning session, ask questions, and be part of this transformative process for Urbana’s central business district.
For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at (937) 653-5764 or email [email protected].
Info from Champaign County Chamber of Commerce
