By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

NEW RICHMOND - The village of New Richmond is taking its first steps toward downtown revitalization thanks to a grant from the state.

The village received $8,600 from the state Department of Development to help pay for a plan for a streetscape project for four blocks on Front Street along the river in the historic district. The village will pick up the rest of the $26,000 tab.

"It's a very exciting time to be involved in New Richmond," said Becky Ploucha, the Main Street Program manager for the village. "The work we're doing to preserve, restore and revitalize the historic district is really paying off, and this is just one step in that process."

The village is the only municipality in this part of the state participating in the Downtown Ohio Inc./Heritage Ohio program, a statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Ohio's historical landmarks and buildings. Village officials have been involved for two years and are already seeing improvements, including reducing the vacancy rate in the historic district from about 40 percent to 22 percent.

Using a historical preservation resource center established by the village, six to eight buildings have already gone through major physical changes, restoring them to a more historic look, said Ms. Ploucha.

"I think the program gives current and potential business owners a sense of confidence that we're doing something and we're participating in a successful program," she said.

The village will hire Poggemeyer Design Group to do the streetscape design with the help of several community meetings. The village then will apply for a grant next fall for the funds to make the additions.

"One of the things we really liked with this particular firm is their commitment to involving the community. They'll pass out paper and crayons at public meetings and just have interested people draw what they want it to look like," Ms. Ploucha said. "It's not going to be them sitting in a sterile room, deciding what our residents want."

Pat Hornschemeier, manager of Geni's Floral Corner on Front Street, is excited by the changes and pleased the village is going forward with the streetscape portion of the revitalization.

"I feel it will attract people to Front Street and they'll come down to look at the river, shop and go to restaurants," she said. "It's a great way to preserve our relaxed, quiet and quaint town."

But business leaders realize the town's facelift won't be accomplished overnight.

"This is just one piece of the process, what we've been striving for," said Lynn Baird, executive vice president of New Richmond National Bank, one of the businesses on Front Street that is in support of the revitalization. "What the whole (Downtown Ohio) program has done is made us realize that you can't just put in lights and prettier sidewalks and expect people to come downtown, but it's a step in the process."

Village Administrator David Kennedy said the state funding will enable the village to have a quality project with professional design and community input.

"Even though it's only four blocks, it's four blocks we can really anchor our village on," he said.

The village has also applied for a grant from the Ohio Division of Watercraft in hopes of putting in an upgraded dock on the riverfront to make the historic district more accessible to boat traffic.

But funding isn't the only hurdle for the village. The river could pose challenges as well. The water table levels and soil could make typical streetscape designs, such as burying utility lines and using traditional paving methods for sidewalks, impossible, Ms. Ploucha said.

"The river can be our best friend and our worst enemy," she said.