I found that fact that the City of Celina conducted such a study encouraging (and a bit surprising).  Since Wal-Mart opened on the edge of town a number of years ago (and has since been abandoned for a new Super Wal-Mart across the street) as well as some other big box development, downtown has suffered.  As the article states, it has really become very much service-oriented, so after business hours, other than a few bars and the movie theater, downtown is dead.  One thing I hope they realize for the study is the great potential for downtown residential development.  Rob has shared some of the success of this in Bluffton, Indiana and with a 50% vacancy rate on upper floors, this really could be a great opportunity.  Downtown Celina really has so much more potential, so I hope they actually do something with the findings from this study, instead of just letting it sit on a shelf to gather dust.

 

Downtown presents a challenge

 

A city-authored marketing analysis of the downtown district shows that reinvigorating the city's center will be a challenge.

 

The analysis was based on information compiled by city officials and consumer surveys filled out by city residents. The marketing analysis is part of the city's effort to earn state grant money for downtown revitalization projects.

 

The downtown area lacks "first line" stores that would lure shoppers to the area, the study concludes.

"We noticeably lack any first line clothing stores, sit-down family restaurants and unique boutiques/shops," the analysis says.

 

http://www.dailystandard.com/archive/story_single.php?rec_id=3110

Council plans to hire downtown manager

 

Celina Mayor Sharon Larue was authorized by city council members last week to enter into a consulting agreement for a downtown manager in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Development's Small Cities Community Development Block Grant.

 

At last week's regular meeting, council members approved the emergency ordinance, which transfers $10,000 from the contingency fund to the community development department for contractual services of the future manager.

 

http://www.dailystandard.com/archive/story_single.php?rec_id=3622

Seems like lakefront housing would do well in Celina...and bleed over into downtown.

The last lakefront development plan ended up as a ©£µ§T€®ƒµ©K.  More info @ this post.

 

 

^Oh...interesting. I don't know if they need (or could support) all that, but some townhomes or apartments would be nice. What they've created already is very nice, and seems to be appropriate scale for Celina.