Wake Up to DREAM

Alderman Jake Crafton, far right, presents the sketches to a group of area leaders and residents who are concerned with the status of Kennett's DREAM initiative.

Staff photos by Deanna Coronado

A small group of individuals interested in improving the City of Kennett met on Tuesday, encouraging others to wake up to the city's "DREAM" initiative.

After being included in the select roster of cities that were chosen as DREAM communities, the City of Kennett has been looking beyond its current horizons.

Proposed streetscape plans developed by PGAV consultants for the City of Kennett's Downtown revitalization project show drastic improvements and enhancements to Main and First Streets, including the Courthouse Square, as well as business fronts within this district.

The opening of the SCAC was to be a huge kick-off of sorts, indicating equally positive changes to come to the city's downtown district and the surrounding community.

However, since that time, plans have struggled to move full-steam ahead, with the only projects being completed consisting of the Ely Walker Apartment addition, and the walking trail installed at the SCAC. A few of the new light poles have been installed at the Corner of Mitchell Park, on First Street, however, that project also remains incomplete, as the city had originally projected placing ambiance lighting throughout the entire downtown area, but has yet to do so. According to those involved, this task will continue as other modifications are made to business fronts, including awning removal and sidewalk redesign and repair.

With concerned citizens beginning to ask 'why it appeared as though the city was dragging its heels' regarding the project, and months passing with no word on the initiative from the city council nor KCDC, city alderman, Jake Crafton, recently teamed with Kennett Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Jan McElwrath, and a group of community leaders and business owners to take the reigns with aspirations of finally moving forward with the project.

The group intends to expand its interests to include other members of the community, as well as private organizations in hopes of receiving their support. Its main goal in hosting the recent meeting, as well as future engagements, is to remind the public that the main focus of the project is getting the private sector involved.

As the KCDC chairman, Johnny Dalton, explained during a council meeting in July 2008, "The DREAM Initiative is supposed to focus on private enterprises, so the state has asked that we (the city) get more involvement from the private sector and less from governmental agencies."

On Tuesday, Crafton reiterated Dalton's statement, adding that it would ultimately be up to the group of people in the meeting room, and those in the community who truly want to support change, to better the community and make the DREAM a reality.

The goal of the downtown effort, according to Crafton and McElwrath, who brought visual aids to the meeting, is to have a coordinated style possibly best described as retro, historic, and modern-vintage. Renovations call for the businesses located in the downtown district to be coordinated. However, the plans also suggest that each business will keep its own individuality, setting it apart from its neighbors.

"Every community faces challenges with their downtown area," said McElwrath in earlier months.

"Kennett trying to address these issues send a positive signal to business consultants outside the community. The signal that these consultants receive is that of a community thinking outside the box and has a can do attitude."

Future meetings are in the works, with no specific dates being released as of press time. However, information regarding upcoming agendas pertaining to the downtown revitalization movement will be published once it is available.