City officials: $100,000 revitalization study needed

By TIMOTHY LA ROCHE
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CLAREMONT — As city budget development discussions begin to take shape, officials say they are pushing for a major downtown revitalization effort.

Director of Planning and Development Nancy Merrill proposed to city councilors this week a $100,000 study to kick off a project that would bring new life to Claremont’s downtown mixed-use district. If the project is approved, city officials say they hope to draft a plan to renovate Pleasant Street to the tune of an estimated $5 million.

“If our entire city was a website, that would be our homepage,” City Manager Ryan McNutt said of Pleasant Street.

The proposed project includes improvements to the street’s sidewalks, sewer and water infrastructure and roadway. The proposal also calls for traffic calming measures and additional parking along the historic street.

If the project moves forward, McNutt said, city staff would be sending a clear message to business owners and developers that the city is serious about downtown revitalization. He said the improvements would foster the conditions to allow the market to be successful.

However, Merrill said that grant funding is unlikely for a project that is not guided by a clear plan. By spending the money upfront for planning, the city is more likely to cobble together outside funding later.

“We know that this is what people want, but we need to get from where we are to there,” Merrill said. “This is the first step.”

Revitalization of Pleasant Street is supported through both the Claremont Masterplan and the Capital Improvements Program. Masterplan materials advocate for downtown improvements including complete streets design, increased walkability and aesthetic improvements working in concert with the district’s historic character.

Already, work is beginning on a reconstruction project on Main Street leading into Opera House Square. 

If Pleasant Street work moves ahead, city officials say it will link up with the Main Street improvements, resulting in a broad net of downtown improvements.

While few complaints were raised from councilors during the budget hearing on the subject, concerns remain over how efficient the project would be.

“If we’re going to invest $100,000 this fiscal year, we need to make sure that we execute it,” Mayor Charlene Lovett said.

Budget development talks are scheduled to continue over the next month before a final vote on June 13.