Monday, November 13, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds St. Joseph’s DREAM Designation
ST. JOSEPH–Gov. Matt Blunt today visited St. Joseph to help celebrate their downtown’s potential. The city is one of only ten to be the first inducted into the governor’s DREAM (Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri) Initiative.
“St. Joseph has already begun to capitalize on its rich artistic and river history. The DREAM designation will help the community continue their progress with a more comprehensive approach to their redevelopment efforts,” Blunt said. “I am excited to see Missouri downtowns transform through the DREAM Initiative, supported by each community’s commitment to enhancing and improving their city center.”
The DREAM Initiative will work to help St. Joseph create an entertainment district in their downtown and further develop the riverfront. St. Joseph’s downtown features architecturally and historically significant buildings. The restored Missouri Theatre dates to the turn of the 20th century and anchors St. Joseph’s thriving arts community. Many individual buildings in the downtown have been restored; their goal now is to take advantage of the DREAM Initiative to restore complete areas, as opposed to scattered buildings. Plans are also in the works to develop a nature center on the river, a living history preserve and to build on the city’s existing partnership with the Department of Conservation.
The DREAM Initiative will help communities more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts and attract new private investment opportunities to the hearts of their communities. 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, Sedalia, Washington and West Plains join St. Joseph as the first annual DREAM communities. Visit the DREAM Initiative Internet site, www.dream.mo.gov, for more details.
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