The plan also is expected to chart the future for the less prosperous stretch of North Broadway leading toward the Warren County Fairgrounds from the new LCNB building under construction at Silver Street and Broadway.
“I think we got in here at the right time, ” said Krysti Underwood, half of a new law partnership and title business formed wth her brother, Andy George, at 530 N. Broadway.
George said the siblings opened here in May, across from the city's 6.4-acre redevelopment site at 511 N. Broadway, because the price was right. George also renovated another building on the property into the Guys & Dolls Hair Salon.
“We are hopeful that any commercial development in the area is going to benefit our law firm, bring some more people, some more business, some more traffic,” George said.
Planning NEXT is to be paid $105,000 and is expected to complete its plan by April. Like the bank and 511 N. Broadway projects, the plan will be funded with racetrack redevelopment funds set aside by state lawmakers to help revitalize cities that lost horse tracks after the legalization of racinos in Ohio.
Planning NEXT’s resume includes projects from Alabama to Indiana. It collaborates with Randall Gross, a specialist in development economics and market analysis.
“The Planning NEXT Team is a national leader in helping communities manage authentic, inclusive and impactful visions for the future, and in crafting plans based on those visions,” Planning NEXT Jamie Greene said in a letter covering the firm’s proposal.
It has been 15 years since Lebanon updated its plan for the downtown business district, which includes shops, restaurants, banks and offices.
“I talk to so many communities that have trouble with their downtowns,” councilwoman Amy Monroe said, noting that businesses continue to set up in downtown Lebanon although special design standards regulate renovations.
“They are revamping, remodeling and keeping the historic character,” said Monroe, who operates a downtown business.
The council began moving toward updating the plan after discussion of creating a walking entertainment district on East Mulberry Street was shelved.
“We are really just getting started,” Monroe said. “I am personally so psyched.”
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