Chillicothe's “DREAM” for revitalizing the downtown area is moving closer to reality. City leaders on Monday gave unanimous support to enter into a contract with the state for the Chillicothe DREAM Initiative, which is designed to help communities more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts.

The overall cost for the preliminary DREAM is $238,680 with the city paying a 20 percent match, amounting to $47,736 to be paid over three years. The three-year DREAM budget would include an organizational structure review, a land use, building and infrastructure survey, a community and consumer survey, a retain market analysis, a housing market analysis, financial assistance review, a downtown strategic plan, a streetscape and building design guidelines and a marketing plan.

Gov. Matt Blunt last year announced that Chillicothe was one of 10 communities picked for the DREAM Initiative. Crystal Narr, director of Main Street Chillicothe, explained to council members during their regular meeting Monday evening at City Hall that such designation helps when seeking grant funding for various projects. “Just to say we're from Chillicothe isn't going to mean much,” Narr said. “But, Chillicothe with a DREAM designation, will get us pushed to the top of the list.” The DREAM district of the downtown area is bordered by Calhoun on the North, Ann on the South, Elm on the East and Cherry on the West.

"We have been doing a pretty good job," Narr said. "Unfortunately, there are some things we can't do by ourselves." One aspect of the DREAM scope of services is a building and infrastructure survey, Narr said. "The buildings are old, but that's why we like them," she said. "Old has character." One goal is to develop the upper lofts of the old buildings into residential areas.

The official signing of the contract will be on Jan. 25 in Jefferson City. DREAM Committee members are Crystal Narr, Garni Churan, Chuck Haney, Terry Rumery, Dean Brookshier, Eva Danner, Steve Franke, Ed Milbank, Bill Everett and Tony Clark.

Also during Monday night's meeting, council members passed a resolution stating that the city supports the Main Street Program and downtown revitalization efforts.

DREAM Funding on Table
Monday, January 14, 2008

Steps are being taken to advance Chillicothe's DREAM initiative and council members tonight (Monday) will consider entering into a contract with the state to move ahead on the program. The DREAM initiative is designed to help communities more efficiently and effectively engage in downtown redevelopment and revitalization efforts. Chillicothe was among 10 cities across the state chosen for the initiative last summer.