Oberlin
Needs Higher Density
To
the Editors:
First
Avenues is a Worthington, Ohio based company specializing in downtown
revitalization. In 1998, we were hired by the city of Oberlin to
develop a comprehensive plan for the revitalization of Oberlins
downtown. Among the recommendations we made at that time were the
creation of an organization and hiring of a staff to overssee the
revitalization effort. Main Street Oberlin was established as a
result and recently contracted with us to conduct additional consumer
research and assist in implementing some of the recommendations
from our original plan.
Based upon our observations and market research, we concluded that
Oberlin may be one of the best kept secrets in Ohio. With over 600
musical performances a year, an incredible art museum, outstanding
and historic architecture, a beautiful public square, and many more
attractions, it has the potential to draw significantly more visitors
from the region than it does currently. Marketing plans are being
developed to take advantage of this opportunity.
The downtown is attractive and has a number of unique and interesting
shops that visitors could frequent. There is also a sufficient population
in close proximity to support more convenience and shopping retail
than exists currently. In fact, more retail is needed to create
sufficient critical mass for downtown to become a shopping destination.
One of the most important recommendations we have made is to bring
higher density, market rate housing into downtown on the upper floors
of existing buildings and select infill sites. Not only is there
a need and opportunity for more market rate rental housing in the
community, but placing it in downtown will help make downtown more
of a 24 hour environment and strengthen existing retail. What is
needed now is a mix-use project of sufficient scale to demonstrate
the opportunity and encourage additional similar development in
the downtown.
The project proposed for East College Street is just such a development.
It has the potential to be the catalyst that spurs a comprehensive
redevelopment in downtown. It will also serve to anchor the east
end of the shopping district and encourage more pedestrian traffic
in that portion of the downtown retail district. We strongly support
the strategic aims of this project and encourage you to support
it as well. Please feel free to call or email me if you wish to
discuss our observations and recommendations in more detail. Thank
you for your consideration.
Hal Miksch
President
First Avenues
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