downtown monroe main street presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Downtown Monroe
Past, Present and Future
Historic Downtown
Monroe
Historic Downtown Monroe Humble Beginnings
Monroe traces its origins to Fort Miro and its associated Spanish Post.
In 1782 Spain Commissioned Don Juan Filhiol to establish a fort along the Ouachita River.
Fort Miro was built in 1790, and became the center of commerce and activity for residents.
In 1811 Filhiol donated a parcel of land to serve as the courthouse site. The town began to develop around the courthouse square.
Major processing center for cotton and cotton products.
Historic Downtown Monroe A City is Formed
Monroe was granted a charter as a town in 1820 and incorporated as a city in 1871.
History books provide two theories on how Monroe adopted its name.
President James Monroe -Steamboat Monroe
Two pre-1890 buildings remain in the district,
Clerk of Court’s office and the Isaiah Garrett Law Office
Historic Downtown Monroe Period of Industrial and Economic
Growth
Railroad Construction
Population Growth
Mayor Andrew Forsythe “Father of Municipal Ownership
Ouachita Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Monroe Natural Gas Field
Municipal Street Railway System
St. Francis Medical Center
Delta Air Lines
Downtown Trolley
Bustling Business District
A View Down Desiard St.
What Happened to Our Downtown?
Increased Automobile ownership led to the relocation of many businesses.
Twin City Shopping Center.
Sears Roebuck and JC Penny where the first to relocate
Eastgate Plaza.
One by one businesses began moving from Downtown to other lying shopping centers on Louisville Avenue
Downtown Monroe (Present)
Vacant Lots
Downtown Monroe (Present)
Vacant Buildings
First Floor Vacancy
Second Floor Vacancy
Underutilized Space
Infill Space
What Will Save Our Downtown?
How can this Program Help?
Supports Current Community Efforts
Preserve our Historic Treasures
Complements our Current Efforts
Base for Future Growth and Development
Proposed Main Street District
Two Story Mixed Use Buildings
Office, Residential, Art Galleries
Old Ouachita Bank Building/Vantage
Health Plan
Old Sears and Roebuck
Building/Willstaff Worldwide
JS Bloch Building (Ferd-Levi Building)
National Register
The Boardwalk Building
Preserving Downtown’s Historic
Character
Downtown Trolley Line
Support our Local Artist
Events and Festivals
Downtown Art Fest
Cultural Events Committee ‘Tis the first weekend in
December and all through the town several events are happening everywhere you look around.
Working to create a calendar of events.
Promotional Process
Support Existing Events
Attract Tourist
Beautification Committee
Litter Prevention
Regular Maintenance
Paint Curbs and Sidewalks
Spotter
Downtown News Star Ad
Downtown News Star Ad
Downtown Monroe
Looking Towards the Future
Support Our Cultural Assets
Our Time is Now! (Support Organizations)
City of Monroe Downtown Economic Development District
Monroe Chamber of Commerce Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau
Monroe Renaissance University of Louisiana at Monroe Northeast Louisiana Arts Council
Louisiana Tech School of Architecture Monroe Jaycees
CenturyTel Opus Broadcasting
The News Star Historic Preservation Commission
North Delta Planning and Development
Presentation Created and Performed
By
Cynthia Crosby
678-600-4316 [email protected]
www.poshconcepts.net