Glasgow Launches Downtown Revitalization Plan

In January of 2015, the City of Glasgow contracted with Land Solutions, LLC to prepare a Downtown Revitalization Plan. The plan launched the creation of a downtown association or revitalization group in an effort to facilitate that plan. As a result, Glasgow's Downtown Revitalization Group recently launched an effort to beautify and revitalize Glasgow's historic downtown area. The group has undertaken efforts to install benches, hanging flower pots and garbage receptacles to make the downtown area more appealing, and they plan to undertake much more in the coming years. Future plans calls for a wide-ranging list of improvements to the area including lighted signs, trees, bike racks, bus stops for Valley County Transit, improved parking, awnings, increased use of the façade improvement loan program and sidewalk repair, among several others.

The Downtown Revitalization Group consists of downtown businesses and property owners whose common goal is to increase visitors and patrons to downtown Glasgow. Glasgow Mayor Becky Erickson stated, "the Downtown Revitalization Group is an arm of the Chamber of Commerce focused on downtown." The group has undertaken a list of goals intended to increase patronage and common use of the downtown area, not only through improvements but through events, activities, wayfinding and outreach, according to a list of the association's goals provided by Erickson. The group hopes to expand downtown Glasgow and make it a destination for commerce and community.

The land Solutions, LLC plan grew primarily out of a $10,000 grant from the Montana Department of Commerce and a $2,000 donation from Two-Rivers Growth. The plan, "serves as a guide for improving the economic conditions and aesthetic aspects of downtown Glasgow," according to the plan directly. In addition to the beautification led by the Downtown Revitalization Group and Two Rivers Growth, the plan includes other development concerns to downtown focused on design and ease of access. Those improvements include lighting and paint through the underpass, managing downtown parking and increasing pedestrian and bicycle access to downtown. An in-depth copy of the plan is available on the Glasgow Public Works website at http://www.cityofglasgowmt.com.

Erickson stressed the needs of Glasgow's downtown and the huge support from businesses and individuals in making the revitalization plan a reality. From volunteers, donations and organization meetings the execution of the plan thus far appears to have been met with great optimism. Erickson added, "The key to the success of any downtown is strong local business. In small communities like Glasgow, the best strategy to grow the economy is through supporting our local existing businesses."