2.0. HRSR 03-10-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Monticello's heritage in integral to the buildings along Broadway and they contribute significantly to Monticello's character. Indeed, no other city has this mix of building stock and that alone differentiates Monticello. Marketing experts say product differentiation is a critical element for success; in this sense,Monticello has something of value in its older buildings. It has been demonstrated in'city after city that a "Main Street" rehabilitation is is good for business. It adds "curb appeal," increases pedestrian traffic, increases property values and creates a consistent architectural character that capitalizes on the desires to live in a small town. Monticello's architectural character might be best defined as "early twentieth century midwestern small town." Those architectural elements include one and two story flat-roofed buildings with a cornice, built to the edge of the side- walk and filling the lot from side to side. Large windows invited passers-by to view the merchandise; operable canvas awnings controlled sunlight and offered protection for pedestrians. Signs were mounted flush against the build- ings over the awnings (and even on the awnings themselves), and sometimes projected over the sidewalk. The wide sidewalks provided plenty of room for pedestrians and the life of the street. Not every building in downtown Monticello is old, or is worthy of rehabilita- tion. Those that are worthy should be viewed as community assets and required to conform to the design guidelines. But new buildings must also respect the design guidelines in order to maintain the sense of a midwestern small town's downtown. In the design guidelines that follow, patterns for cre- ating new buildings and preserving the character of older buildings can be • found. Design guidelines for Monticello's downtown and riverfront are organized to address the overall structure of the downtown and riverfront; the design of public spaces in the downtown and riverfront; the configuration of sites; the design of new buildings; the integrity of existing buildings; and oversight of the guidelines. The design guidelines for Monticello's downtown and river- front are: 1.0 The Structure of 1.1 Create a downtown and riverfront area for Monticello that has a strong Downtown relationship to community patterns, features, and the idea of a small town in the country. • Development shall occur within the existing grid of the local streets. • The Mississippi River shall be one of the primary focal points of downtown, with elements of the river drawn through downtown to strengthen downtown's connection to the river. • Terminal street views shall focus on a significant built or natural fea- ture(a building, pavilion,garden,the river; not a parking lot). • Community and civic facilities shall be prominent elements of the downtown. 1.2 Create a variety of uses to attract people throughout the day and night, for activities of commerce, culture, community and civics. • "•_ A New Bridge Revitalizing Monticello's Downtown and Riverfront Page 3:28