SWANTON - In an effort to make sure that Swanton's Uptown doesn't turn into a ghost town after a railroad overpass is constructed on Hallett Avenue, a new organization has been formed to focus attention along Main Street.
The Swanton Uptown Association, established under the auspices of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce, is addressing concerns related to the possible impact of the Hallett Street overpass.
Work on the overpass won't get under way until 2009, and it likely won't be completed until at least late 2010.
But business owners want to get the wheels moving now on plans to pump up interest in the Uptown District.
Business owners expect more traffic along Main Street while Hallett Avenue is closed during construction of the overpass, but the worry is that some motorists will shift to Hallett and bypass Main Street and its businesses after the overpass is built.
The Uptown Association plans to implement programs to foster a heightened awareness of the businesses on Main Street.
In addition, members are working to improve the aesthetics, such sprucing up landscaping, and are engaging in cross-promotional marketing efforts.
The primary goal is to demonstrate the vitality of the Main
Street businesses while Hallett is closed and retain business traffic when the overpass opens, said Neil Toeppe, executive director of the Swanton Area Chamber of Chamber.
During a recent Uptown meeting, Mr. Toeppe noted that about 50 retail, commercial, or personal service businesses operate along Main Street.
Businesses on Airport Highway already have great exposure, with 14,000 to 16,000 vehicles per day passing by, but most of those motorists are unaware of the vibrant business district located less than one mile to the west on Main Street, he said.
"By promoting the Uptown Swanton District, we hope to interest the Airport Highway traffic in the complementary businesses of the Uptown District," Mr. Toeppe said.
One way to catch the eye, and the attention, of motorists traveling along Airport Highway would be with a neon sign with a big arrow pointing towards the Uptown District, Mr. Toeppe said.
At one time, such a sign was on display, but it was taken down several years ago. Someone has found that sign, and there is some interest in getting it repaired and erected, Mr. Toeppe said.
The arrow, he said, "would let people know there is more to Swanton than Airport Highway."
Other goals of the new organization include:
•Creating awareness of a pleasant, pedestrian-friendly Uptown Swanton District.
•Retaining and recruiting a balance of mixed-use enterprises in the district.
•Creating an awareness of the personalized services of the locally owned and operated businesses.
•Attracting and retaining residents and visitors to the district.
•Promoting the Uptown District as the center of the Swanton community.
•Engaging the community in the revitalization of the district, and
•Retaining the historic character of the district's architecture, landscape, and streetscape.
To reach the goals it will take a communitywide effort, Mr. Toeppe said.
Mick Kelly, owner of County Line Cleaners, said business owners need to move as quickly as possible to get plans in place to promote the area.
Mr. Kelly suggested business owners work together to sponsor booths at such events as the Fulton County Fair, the Swanton Corn Festival, and a local church festival.
The district, Mr. Kelly said, could use some sort of anchor, such as an antique mall that would help draw traffic to town. "There has got to be a reason for people to come here and be here," he said.
Mayor Jim Bushong, who attended the organization's meeting, said he would like to get churches, schools, and others involved in helping with the Uptown area's landscaping.
A church group, for instance, might be willing to take care of a certain section of the landscaping along Main Street.
About 5,000 vehicles travel along Main Street per day.
Jon Gochenour, Swanton's village administrator, said he hopes motorists who use Main Street now won't divert to Hallett Avenue when the overpass is built.
Mr. Gochenour noted that Hallett now has about 5,330 vehicles a day, currently more traffic than Main Street, and the Ohio Department of Transportation estimates that figure will increase to 6,500 after the overpass is built. Permanent LinkSwanton group aims to build up Uptownhttp://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/NEIGHBORS05/801230330STORY:2008801230330
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