Saturday, October 28, 2006
Contact: Brian Hauswirth, 573-751-0290
Blunt Acclaims Communities’ DREAM Designations
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today visited West Plains, Kennett and Cape Girardeau to help celebrate their downtowns’ potential. The communities are among a group of ten to be the first inducted into the governor’s DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri) Initiative. Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder joined Blunt in Kennett and Cape Girardeau.
“West Plains, Kennett and Cape Girardeau model the diverse opportunities available to Missouri communities through the DREAM Initiative,” Blunt said. “They represent the potential for all towns and cities to look for new ways to revitalize their downtowns and attract new jobs and growth to the hearts of their communities.”
West Plains plans to take advantage, through the DREAM process, of two opportunities. First is to recognize the architectural and historic character of the downtown area and ensure future development complements existing structures.
Second, they plan to take advantage of the Missouri State University-West Plains campus and Civic Center. The community is considering a pedestrian walkway through downtown to draw more students and Civic Center visitors to the area.
Kennett envisions a pedestrian friendly downtown. The DREAM initiative will help them revitalize their downtown to complement the Dunklin County Museum and Library, anchors of the downtown along with the Sheryl Crow Aquatic Center. As one of the top cotton producing counties in the nation, cotton industry and historic exhibits featured at the museum will be major marketing tools for the area.
Cape Girardeau is the largest city between St. Louis and Memphis and serves as a regional center for the area. Downtown Cape Girardeau’s three distinct districts complement each other and provide an opportunity for the DREAM Initiative to connect these three districts through consistent development and infrastructure improvements. One of the community’s goals is to create an arts community near the new River Campus of Southeast Missouri State University, converting vacant properties in this area into artists’ shops and galleries.
The DREAM Initiative will help communities more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts and attract new private investment opportunities downtown. It provides selected communities streamlined access to available programs for infrastructure improvements, historic preservation, affordable housing, community services, business development and job creation. The initiative also offers exclusive training and seminars created to help all DREAM applicants learn more about how to access existing redevelopment programs and tools to revitalize Missouri’s historic and diverse downtowns.
Cape Girardeau, Excelsior Springs, Hannibal, Hermann, Kennett, Neosho, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Washington and West Plains are the first annual DREAM communities. Visit the DREAM Initiative Internet site, www.dream.mo.gov, for more details.
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