RUMFORD – Town officials want to know how to perk up the downtown area so it will be a drawing card for economic development and bring people back.
At Thursday’s selectmen’s meeting, the board approved a request for proposals to do just that.
“We’ll use the information gathered for rejuvenation and job creation. We need a plan on how to proceed,” said Town Manager Steve Eldridge. “People want job creation. People want businesses and restaurants.”
Funds for the four- to five-month project will come from the town’s economic development account. Eldridge estimated it will cost $15,000 to $20,000. The data collected will be used to apply for a Community Development Block Grant which, if successful, would be used to make changes.
Eldridge said the study will include topics such as historic preservation, facade improvements, parking, land use, gateway upgrades, marketing strategies, and job retention and creation.
It also will cover other quality-of-life and economic matters, he said. Proposals from qualified planning consultants must be returned to the Municipal Building by March 25.
Eldridge said the study will include at least two public hearings at which town residents may offer their ideas for improvements.
The study’s focus will be the Congress Street area and the Waldo Street area, including the gateway region of Lincoln Avenue.
If block grants aren’t available to implement some of the recommendations, Eldridge said town officials will know what steps to take as funds are available.
He said the contract for the study probably will be awarded by late April, and work should be completed by August.
In other matters, selectmen approved letting one room in the Municipal Building be used for a 15-week University of Maine Cooperative Extension master gardener course next January. This will be a first for Rumford. Similar master gardener courses have been offered in other parts of Maine.
The board also:
• Scheduled a special selectmen’s financial workshop for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21.
• Tabled a request by Hotel Harris owner John Roza, who wants to borrow $20,000 from the town’s low-interest revolving loan fund to help pay for repair of the hotel’s boiler. The selectmen are waiting until he or a representative can make the request in person.
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