“Economic Development through Place Making” Initiative
Overview of the initiative
The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. in conjunction with the Downtown Development Authority have proposed an aggressive implementation initiative for the future of the region. The “Economic Development through Place Making” initiative will help make Owensboro competitive in the race for talent and investment in the coming years.
While many studies have been done about downtown, what has been absent is an action-oriented implementation plan. Work of this level of expertise and scope has never done before in our community. When complete, this initiative will present a step-by-step action plan for revitalizing downtown and promoting other growth corridors through:
New pro-growth policies and incentives
Comprehensive regulatory and code reform
New design and venues with fiscal guidance as to how to leverage public funds for certain projects that can make them a catalyst for future growth
Livability is a key to community competitiveness
The key to future economic vitality for the next 20 years, for over 20 million people from families and young professionals to retiring baby boomers is livability.
Place Making is a strategy that communities are using to promote livability. Attracting people with attractive places! A central feature of this is downtown development, but the approach deals with other growth corridors around the region
This initiative will bring a high level of professional expertise through a customized team to work with our community, with a perfect blend of local, regional, national, and international talent. The strategy will integrate these areas to our downtown and growth corridors:
Linking Riverfront development project to downtown
Live/work and mixed-use development
Entertainment, residential, and retail venues blending into downtown as an “urban destination.”
Timing is right
This was the number one recommendation from We the People. It is also a central theme of the City of Owensboro Strategic Vision—all around it is a recognized community priority.
