BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
WILLIAMSTOWN -- Marlene McComas knows the glory days of Main Streets are a thing of the past. But the longtime downtown business owner hopes planned revitalization will help the downtown find a new niche.
"I think it's going to be part of the rebirth of downtown," said Mrs. McComas, whose husband Dwight was part of the city's Downtown Revitalization Committee. The couple is remodeling two connecting buildings they own on Main Street.
City Council agreed this week to spend about $250,000 to revive the downtown business district by moving electric poles and lines behind Main Street buildings and adding more than a dozen colonial-style streetlights.
"We're hoping that we can get those started within the next 60 to 90 days," said Williamstown Councilman Greg Kennedy, also a member of the committee. The project could be completed by winter. In a separate project, the city will spend between $20,000 and $30,000 to upgrade downtown sidewalks.
"What we wanted to do was promote growth in downtown. And we figured the best way to do that was to reinvest dollars into the downtown infrastructure," Mr. Kennedy said. "The key there is to make it more attractive for businesses to want to do business downtown.
"I just think it was one of those projects that has been talked about a lot over the years through many administrations. I think we're excited to finally move forward on the project."
Williamstown, the seat of Kentucky's fourth fastest-growing county, is attracting residents with affordable land and homes and luring businesses with an industry-friendly environment, said Wade Gutman, the county industrial development director. Thus, improving downtown is critical to luring new and old patrons.
"We've had several meetings over the last year, and this a product of those meetings," said Mr. Gutman, also a member of the committee. "Things are moving in the right direction."
Mr. Gutman said he hopes Northern Kentucky University's new Grant County campus will be a catalyst in attracting more people to downtown. NKU expects to have about 20 full-time students and between 40 and 60 part-time students enrolled when classes begin Aug. 26 at the new campus.
In addition, the city has purchased 444 acres about a half-mile from the Williamstown exit bordering Interstate 75, for an industrial park. Officials plan to start marketing the park in fall. They have an option on another 100 acres on the same tract.
