Downtown Owensboro Is A Community Priority

The people have spoken. During the November AmericaSpeaks 21st Century Town Meeting®, the number one priority for community and economic development was to "transform downtown and insist on well-planned suburban expansion."

The priority emerged from extensive deliberation involving more than 650 participants from all walks of life and all areas of Owensboro-Daviess County. The "We the People" database has now grown to over 1,100 and the Downtown Owensboro Placemaking Initiative has already met with hundreds of concerned citizens to begin acting on this important community priority.

Economic Development Through Placemaking

Placemaking is about attracting people with attractive places. Owensboro-Daviess County residents share a common vision for Downtown Owensboro - a downtown area that is a destination, a source of pride, and a catalyst for economic development through the attraction and retention of residents, businesses and visitors.

With today's advanced technology, people can live and work in any location and be completely connected to the outside world. The Downtown Owensboro Placemaking Initiative will help us compete in this global environment by creating a cutting-edge community that embraces the new economy - an economy based on attracting and retaining talented people. An inviting and vibrant downtown where people can live, work and find many entertainment options is essential to creating this competitive advantage.

Since one of Owensboro's unique assets is the Ohio River, a central feature in creating a sense of place is the connection between downtown and the Ohio River.

Taking Action

Steps are already underway. Since the town meeting, funds have been raised and one of the nation's top consulting firms (Gateway Planning Group of Ft. Worth, Texas) has been retained by The Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation to prepare a master plan for downtown that includes a design and implementation strategy.

"The timing is right for an initiative like this," said Fred Reeves, Executive Director of Downtown Development. "This effort will put our ideas into practice using professional expertise with a roadmap of how to make it happen."

Designing Downtown For Everyone

Designing Downtown Owensboro for everyone in the community is critically important to creating an inviting and vibrant downtown. Owensboro-Daviess County residents will have multiple opportunities to become involved and participate in the process.

• Community Design Workshop
  Opening Session
  September 8 at 6:30pm
  RiverPark Center
• Community Design Workshop
  Mid-Week Visual Design Pin-Up
  September 10 at 6:30pm
  RiverPark Center
• Community Design Workshop
  End of Week Visual Design Pin-Up
  September 12 at Noon
  RiverPark Center
• Downtown Owensboro Placemaking Initiative
  Results and Participant Feedback
  November 15 at 9am - 12:00pm
  Kentucky Wesleyan College Gymnasium

Contact Information

For more information, please contact Fred Reeves, Executive Director, Downtown Development at 926-4339.