BARBARA CHRISTIANSEN - North County Staff | Posted: Thursday, March 30, 2006 11:00 pm
Change and challenge have marked American Fork's Main Street since the new year began.
Some long-vacant buildings now have tenants, while some that had long-term tenants now sit empty.
Since taking office in January, Mayor Heber Thompson and City Council members have begun to create a plan to bring new life to the area.
Councilman Jimmie Cates has recently been assigned to update the city's strategic development plan, which was created in 1992. The plan guides the city's efforts to entice new businesses to the city, including the historic downtown area, among other things.
"I think there is going to be a significant revitalization of downtown," said Mayor Heber Thompson.
To jump-start that effort, the city is spending $1.3 million to renovate its historic City Hall, located in central downtown. In addition, landlord Bill Jacob has finished remodeling two historic buildings -- one on west Main Street and one on north Merchant Street -- and paved the parking between the two. Jacob did not return calls for comment on this story.
"With the restoration of City Hall and Bill Jacob's new buildings and parking, we have seen a lot of things happening," Thompson said.
Late in 2005, the city hired Debby Lauret to be the new economic development director, a part-time position. Lauret also works part time for the American Fork Chamber of Commerce.
Lauret and a representative of the downtown business alliance have begun visiting each downtown business owner to ask how the city and alliance can help grow the businesses. They are also offering advice ranging from how to improve signs and window displays, to information about how to obtain tax credits for building renovation.
So far, business owners have had one concern in common, Lauret said.
"Parking is their number one concern," she said, noting parking limits the number of shoppers who come downtown.
The city is considering a plan that would expand parking behind Main Street businesses while adding lighting and landscaping, said Thompson.
In addition, the city will prepare architectural and design guidelines for merchants who want to improve their facilities while maintaining the historic flavor of the downtown, he said.
City Planner Rod Despain and Planning Commission members have been asked to create a list of suggested guidelines for the architectural designs, he said.
"We are looking to them to provide some guidelines for the architecture and design that would be compatible with the heritage and history of Main Street," Thompson said. "I think the real challenge is going to be how the property owners and the merchants can work with both downtown and the city in getting the right projects, right development, right restoration items in place."
Comings and goings
Going:
Bradshaw Auto Parts recently merged with CarQuest Auto Parts, leaving a vacancy at 67 W. Main St.
North County Newspapers, owned by the Daily Herald, moved to Pleasant Grove, leaving a vacancy at 59 W. Main St.
The Yogurt Parlor, 66 W. Main St., will close today. The building has been sold to an attorney's office.
Coming:
Humphries Archery has recently moved into 42 W. Main St.
Frontside Skate, The Bike Peddler, Main Street Office Furniture, and Where's Nemo have moved into downtown buildings in the past two years.
This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.