1. Save the State: Revitalizing Downtown Owatonna

2. About our project Began exploring Save the State Began exploring Save the State Committee had disbanded Committee had disbanded Further research showed us a larger issue needed to be addressed Further research showed us a larger issue needed to be addressed

3. What’s been happening to downtown? Before WWII, downtowns Before WWII, downtowns were the center of cities; they were a primary commercial and social spot Over the past 50 years, Over the past 50 years, downtowns across America have changed drastically due to: *interstate development-increased transportation between larger cities

4. More that has changed our downtowns… *sprawl-brought people away from downtowns, into suburbs *white flight-wealthier citizens left urban centers *bedroom communities sprung up along the interstates

5. More that has Changed Downtowns… *more malls- took business away from downtowns *neglect of buildings

6. More that has changed our downtowns… *presence of “super centers” where convenience has become more important than customer service to many consumers

7. Is downtown Owatonna suffering as much as downtowns on the national level? According to local business owners, downtown Owatonna is healthy According to local business owners, downtown Owatonna is healthy –Owatonna Shoe –St. Clair’s for Men –Kristi’s –Central Park Coffee Co.

8. Continued… But, the last official study of downtown was done in 1991 (before many developments on the NW side of Owatonna), and no current and official statistics are available… But, the last official study of downtown was done in 1991 (before many developments on the NW side of Owatonna), and no current and official statistics are available…

9. Is This A Sign of Neglect?

10. Our Survey Since our community leaders couldn’t offer any current statistics, we decided to survey the public on our own Distributed surveys and collected data from 100 Owatonnans Distributed surveys and collected data from 100 Owatonnans Demographics Demographics  Shopping habits  Thoughts on the theatre

11. How has your shopping in downtown Owatonna changed with the developments on the NW side of town (Cabela’s, Super Wal- Mart, etc.)?

12. Would you support the renovation and reopening of the downtown theatre?

13. Do you believe a renovated theatre would bring more evening activity to downtown Owatonna?

14. Would you be willing to contribute funds to help renovate the theatre?

15. Would you support the use of your tax dollars to help renovate the theatre?

16. National Statistics… There was a lack of local and national statistics on the health of downtowns There was a lack of local and national statistics on the health of downtowns After e-mailing, we were still unable to find local or national statistics After e-mailing, we were still unable to find local or national statistics

17. National Statistics… According to Dr. Kent Robertson, a regional economist and director of Community Development Program at St. Cloud State University, author of Can Small City Downtowns Remain Viable? A National Study of Development Issues and Strategies, According to Dr. Kent Robertson, a regional economist and director of Community Development Program at St. Cloud State University, author of Can Small City Downtowns Remain Viable? A National Study of Development Issues and Strategies, “Numbers are hard to find because they don’t exist”

18. According to Dr. Robertson… But, “our intuition is correct” But, “our intuition is correct” “Thousands of communities, large and small, are trying to do the same thing.” “Thousands of communities, large and small, are trying to do the same thing.” Owatonna needs to follow the examples of these communities and actively revitalize our downtown Austin, MN

19. Kenbridge, Virginia Population: 1264 Population: 1264 Improved and renovated downtown buildings and building facades Improved and renovated downtown buildings and building facades Market analysis Market analysis Replaced sidewalks Replaced sidewalks Planted trees in downtown Planted trees in downtown Installed decorative streetlamps Installed decorative streetlamps Repaired/replaced curbs and gutters Repaired/replaced curbs and gutters Installed decorative trash receptacles Installed decorative trash receptacles

20. St. Paul, Minnesota Population: 287,151 Population: 287,151 Built new offices and filled open ones Built new offices and filled open ones New hockey franchise New hockey franchise and arena $140 million housing $140 million housingdevelopment $20 million renovation of Marshall Field’s Self-sustaining flow of investment $20 million renovation of Marshall Field’s Self-sustaining flow of investment

21. Where does the theatre fit into this puzzle? If downtown Owatonna is suffering as we think it might be, the theater could have a positive impact on many aspects of its health If downtown Owatonna is suffering as we think it might be, the theater could have a positive impact on many aspects of its health *pedestrian traffic *decreased vacancies *decreased vacancies *increased revenue

22. Can a theatre really help revitalize a downtown area? According to Tisha Sheldon of the League of Historic American Theatres, “We don’t have statistics to show how many communities have used historic theatres to revitalize their downtowns, but it must be at least a thousand thus far.” According to Tisha Sheldon of the League of Historic American Theatres, “We don’t have statistics to show how many communities have used historic theatres to revitalize their downtowns, but it must be at least a thousand thus far.”

23. “It was only after many of these downtown theatres were restored and reopened that people realized the significant economic impact they had on the community.”

24. “Any perception of the downtown as either dangerous or dead-as-a- doornail can be overcome when more and more citizens spend their evenings in the area.”

25. Lanesboro, Minnesota Downtown falling apart: –Residents moving out –Loss of vital local businesses A theatre was opened by two New York trained actors A theatre was opened by two New York trained actors Inns and restaurants opened Inns and restaurants opened Task force started Task force started

26. Lanesboro, Minnesota Now most goods and services are concentrated in the central downtown Now most goods and services are concentrated in the central downtown Tourist attraction Tourist attraction Town’s economy is booming Town’s economy is booming

27. What’s next for the theatre? Community support is necessary for the theatre’s success Community support is necessary for the theatre’s success Involvement of city officials and community leaders Involvement of city officials and community leaders Publicity throughout the greater Owatonna area Publicity throughout the greater Owatonna area The OACCT received estimates of the costs of renovating the theatre The OACCT received estimates of the costs of renovating the theatre

28. Renovation Acquisition Acquisition Wiring Wiring Plumbing Plumbing Finish carpentry Finish carpentry Flooring Flooring Technical equipment Technical equipment Re-create murals Re-create murals Concessions equipment Concessions equipment Personnel Personnel Permits/Fees Permits/Fees Curtains/Panels Curtains/Panels Furnishings Furnishings Total price: over $1,057,000

29. Funding for the theatre Areas: Local government contributions Local government contributions Local businesses Local businesses Non-profits Non-profits Grants Grants Fundraising Fundraising Private citizens Private citizens

30. Ponder this… “Preservation isn’t something smart people do when they can afford it—it’s something they know they can’t afford not to do.” -National Trust for Historic Preservation