Nearly 100 towns apply for DREAM initiative

Gov. Matt Blunt invited smaller cities to apply for the Downtown Revitalization Economic Assistance for Missouri, or DREAM, Initiative, which he unveiled at a June 19 news conference in downtown Springfield.

Now, 98 cities – most of them small to medium in size – are vying for the chance to become one of six to 10 applicants selected for state assistance.

Officials never expected so many cities would apply, but they were “thrilled” with the response, said Misti Preston, communications coordinator for the Missouri Department of Economic Development.

DED, along with the Missouri Housing Development Commission and Missouri Development Finance Board, is administering the initiative, which has been described as a one-stop shop for municipalities that desire a downtown revival but lack the knowledge or tools to succeed.

Cities chosen to participate in the program will learn about various incentive packages, such as tax credits and federal block grants, and could receive assistance with feasibility studies that often precede comprehensive redevelopment plans.

Officials have said the initiative, which comes at no additional cost to taxpayers, essentially streamlines access to existing programs, such as historic preservation, façade renovation and public infrastructure improvements.

Strafford, just east of Springfield, is one of many smaller communities that applied for assistance through the initiative, and City Clerk Sharon Mickey said the city would take whatever help it can get.

“We’re really kind of at the ground level,” she said. “We’ve always talked about bringing some changes to the downtown area, but we have some challenges because of the railroad and old Route 66.”

The city has purchased downtown buildings in recent years, and officials are interested in redeveloping the area with a Route 66 theme, Mickey said.

“We’re hoping we can get some funds and technical assistance to make it a reality,” she added.

Willard is also hoping to capitalize on the assistance offered through the initiative. The city – northwest of Springfield – has a small downtown area with big assets: the Frisco Highline Trail and a new library in the works.

“We have a concept that we want to develop … but the thing we’re lacking is that bank of experts,” said City Administrator Fred Gress.

Springfield, Branson, Ozark, Aurora and Ash Grove also were among the communities that applied for assistance through the DREAM Initiative. Springfield is the largest city in the mix, tailoring its application to redevelopment of the Commercial Street Historic District on the city’s north side.

Several cities in the Joplin area also applied, including Joplin, Webb City, Neosho, Carthage and Carl Junction.

DED’s Preston said three officials from the state agencies heading up the initiative will appoint a team to evaluate the applications, which are first screened for completeness and then fed into a database. Applicants will be judged on attention to community capacity, vision, opportunity for private investment, community support and a comprehensive approach.

“I’m glad I’m not the application evaluator,” Willard’s Gress joked.

Blunt will announce the winners at the 2006 Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, Sept. 25–27, in St. Louis.

Cities that don’t make the cut will still receive invitations to attend regional seminars on downtown revitalization. A team of experts from various state agencies, urban planning firms and development law firms will lead the training sessions, Preston said.[[In-content Ad]]