Waynesville Downtown!               

      The purpose of the Waynesville Downtown! Committee is to improve the appearance of the downtown Waynesville Square, while preserving its historical nature.  The goals of the committee include restoration, historic preservation, economic development, increasing tourism and City pride, improving retail opportunities, improving ambience, removing blight, encouraging private investment, bringing sidewalks and lighting to current codes.

     The Waynesville Downtown! Committee grew out of the Downtown Beautification Committee, which was appointed by Mayor Cliff Hammock in April,  2003.  The DBC completed several downtown projects including the Waynesville Families' Memorial Bench Program, the "Fly the Flag" project, which was adopted by Boy Scout Pack 202, and the building of two flowerbeds, located at the Benton Street Corner and the Waynesville Welcome sign.   The Committee has supported the designation of Route 66 as a Scenic Byway and has encouraged the revival of the Missouri Conservation Department's Roubidoux Corridor Plan.

     After several beautification projects, work began in 2004 on a grant proposal for a downtown facelift.  Layla Earl was hired by the City as the grant writer.   After interviews and information- gathering by a core committee, application was made in May, 2005 for a Downtown Revitalization grant offered through the Community Block Development Grant program of the State of Missouri's Department of Economic Development.  With $160,000 of capital improvements pledged by downtown businesses, the request was made for matching funds to replace sidewalks and install period lighting around the square.  Final figures showed a 82% participation by the 44 downtown area businesses.   On the square proper, 22 of the 24 businesses participated. Interviews showed the top three concerns of downtown business people were:          
                         1. Parking  2. Blighted Appearance and Neglect  3. Vacant Buildings and Lots

     In October of 2005, the City received notification they were awarded the Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $157,200.  The grant year will be February 24, 2006 to February 24, 2007.  Capital improvements must be made within that year.  Elgin Engineering of Rolla is designing and overseeing the project.

         Tim Cruise prepared sketches of the vision for a Downtown facelift.  Beth Keith and her WTA Graphics Class prepared the images for publication.

Committee Members

     The Waynesville Downtown! group has adopted the "Main Street America" approach for the improvement of the downtown square.  These goals include:  Design, Organization, Promotion and Marketing, and Economic Revitalization. 

     One of the first steps taken was adopting a plan for improving the downtown area.  In April, 2004, the Waynesville City Council voted to support the following plan:

              WAYNESVILLE SQUARE REVITALIZATION PLAN!

Phase One: Facelift of the Downtown Square Proper (excluding the Courthouse) and  Rt. 66 - 2005-06

                        Sidewalks with paving stones, using color

                        Vintage lighting, with banner and/or flag capability

                        Installation of flag standards in the sidewalk in front of each business            

                        Landscaping

                        Paving stones and/or planters placed in MoDOT traffic island

                       A water tank for use by the Parks Department for maintenance of landscaping

                        Lighting of the Roubidoux Bridge

Phase Two:  Facelift of Route 66 from the Benton St. traffic lights to the Roubidoux Bridge and downtown off streets (North Street to Talbot House and City Hall, Lynn Street to the Old Waynesville Middle School, Benton Street to the Baptist Church)- 2007-08

                        Vintage Lighting to match the Square  (MODOT Cooperation)

Greenery and/or paving stones in the sidewalks to the bridge

        (MODOT Cooperation)

A town clock placed on the Square  (Private Funding)

Trash receptacles to match memorial benches  (Private Funding) 

Phase Three:  Improve existing municipal parking lots; curbing, paving, striping, lighting, trash receptacles

                      Partner with County Commission for facelift of Courthouse Square

                      Acquire additional parking lots  –  2009-10

Phase Four:  Storm water drainage system behind Southside businesses

                    Matching facades or awnings on buildings  –  2009-10

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT:  Completed April, 2005 with 130 attendees.

  Top Five Concerns Voiced at the "Public Meeting for the Submission of the Grant"

                                            DOWNTOWN BEAUTIFICATION AWARD

                                                     2010 -  Paradox Studio
                                                     2009 -  Miller Realty
                                                     2008 -  Eircil's Jewelry
                                                     2007 -  Spanish Lighthouse Christian Church
                                                     2005 -  Security Bank of Pulaski County
                                                     2004 -  Mark Prugh's Law Office

        * This award is provided as a community betterment project by Jonco Diversified.

        "Human happiness comes from small improvements to daily life"

                                                Ben Franklin     

       THANK YOU  FROM THE GRANT COMMITTEE

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