Dickson Celebrates Downtown Revitalization Efforts

In Dickson
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Dickson city leaders recently cut the ribbon to celebrate the start of its downtown revitalization efforts that began over 4 years ago.

City and business leaders have invested $1.5 million as part of a reinvestment strategy to promote economic and cultural activity in the historic downtown area. Some of the added enhancements include a parking lot renovation and new streetscaping to fit the character of the downtown area.

Officially the project is called Phase I. The city has applied for another TDOT enhancement grant for Phase II of the project, which will include renovation of Main Street to Walnut Street and Rickert Avenue and work on College Street toward Highway 46.

Many communities in the ten-county Middle Tennessee region have seen successful downtown revitalization efforts. These efforts have led to major economic impacts for small business owners and city revenues. Downtown revitalization efforts are a proven economic tool for communities wishing to attract more economic and cultural opportunities for its citizens and business community. These projects are often a private-public partnership between local and state governments and local business owners. CRT encourages downtown revitalization efforts as an economic strategy, but also as a quality of life enhancement tool. Downtown revitalization encourages infill development, which does not require open space development, is more cost effective for local governments to maintain services, and encourages more walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods.

Timeline of Dickson’s Downtown Revitalization Efforts

2007 – Downtown Committee formed and looks at ways to revitalize downtown Dickson.
May 2008 – Architectural firm Lose & Associates recommended by Downtown Committee and chosen by the city council to create the downtown development plan to support a grant application to TDOT, and for council members and downtown business owners to see.
October 2008 – Initial designs shown to city council and public for first time.
August 2009 – The city of Dickson is awarded an 80-20 matching grant for more than $1.2 million in funding through the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s enhancement program. The grant required the city to pay $300,000 for the project. Later, due to meeting state deadlines, the city’s payment was reduced to $150,000.
January 2010 – Lose & Associates hired as design firm for the project.
December 2010 – Charles DeWeese Construction, Inc. selected as construction firm for project.
March 2011 – Work begins on the project
Nov. 27, 2011 – Ribbon-cutting held for Phase I of downtown Dickson revitalization.