2.0. HRSR 03-10-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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foresight and consideration and with an emphasis on long-term value. Once within this boundary, the intensity of development will make downtown interesting, inviting and exciting; its compactness will keep it walkable and in scale with the Monticello community. • An identity related to Monticello... Character • While it is not obvious, Monticello has a character that is uniquely its own. As the downtown and riverfront redevelop, it must happen in ways that reflect the spirit of the people and the place. We must look to patterns of the larger landscape, elements of the built environment, events in the community's history, and culture and heritage of the peo- ple to find the character that fits. But when the first brick is laid in a revitalized downtown, it(and all that follow) must say"Monticello." A transportation"web".. Transportation • Getting to and around downtown are the same thing in today's down- town. In the future, people might drive to downtown, but once there, there will be enough reason for them to leave their cars and walk from between destinations. In the future,they might not drive to downtown; rather, they might walk, bike or utilize some form of local transit. The downtown of Monticello's future should rely on a transportation"web" which allows for ease of movement into and within downtown, with less reliance on the car wherever possible. A mix of uses... Uses • Historically, downtown was home to a number of activities—grocery and hardware stores, a department store, banks, cafes and bars, a • plumber's shop, auto dealers, apartments over stores, and many others. Even though they might have caused problems for one another on occasion, they worked together, and at times, even thrived. Downtown is still a place where a number of activities can occur at the same time, and in doing so, they reinforce the life of the downtown and the com- munity. A key to a successful downtown is a good mix of compatible uses; we need to find a way for a new mix to work together. Embracing the River... Natural Features • America's great river, the Mississippi, flows through Monticello next to its downtown. However, there is little recognition of this resource, and no strong connection between downtown and the river. This rela- tionship should be the jewel of the downtown—one of the things that sets Monticello apart from most towns, yet links it to others, and cre- ates an attraction for both regular and occasional visitors to downtown. Any development of the riverfront must recognize the yearning people have for access to the river; their desire to be close to it might damage the resource they so cherish. We must treat the river's edge with respect, and develop near the river with great care for the resource. Downtown's neighbors... Neighborhoods • Downtown can only be as healthy as the neighborhoods surrounding it. The edges of downtown will affect nearby housing areas; this is typi- • A New Bridge • Revitalizing Monticello's Downtown and Riverlront Page 1:6