Task Force to kick off action plan

Committee members have their marching orders, and the public is invited to join in the kickoff celebration of the Vision Downtown Lampasas! revitalization effort on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the newly renovated Mesquite Creek reception hall.

Owners Johnny and Amanda Wade, also members of the Vision Downtown Lampasas! task force board of directors, invite the Lampasas community to see their new facility at 306 E. Second St., and hear about the Action Plan developed by the Vision Downtown Lampasas! Task Force.

"We're very excited about how the plan has come together," Wade said. "I feel it is important to establish our vision now and implement that, or we will wake up in 20 years and look around Lampasas and not like what we see."

Mrs. Wade, who co-chairs the task force with her husband, added she felt a sense of urgency to do something now or risk losing a vibrant downtown. "And that would be a loss for all of Lampasas."

The kickoff will include a live performance by the Derek Groves and Joe Manuel band, plus door prizes and refreshments.

Task force members received the go-ahead in October of 2006 from the Lampasas Economic Development Corp. to develop a plan for the historic downtown district. Julie Johncox of JP Solutions, a consulting firm headquartered in Fort Worth, was retained with funding through local individuals and the Courtyard Square Association to help develop the plan.

After several visits around town and a series of focus group meet- ings with more than 100 citizens participating, as well as a visioning workshop, an action plan was developed with specific first-year projects for the district.

"There comes a time in a community's existence when things seem to come together, and I have been amazed at how this action plan has come about, " said Ms. Johncox.

Ms. Johncox, a former Main Street director for the state of New Mexico, and downtown task force members have called for seven committees to focus on specific projects in the first year of the plan. Projects include construction of gateway structures near Key Avenue on Second, Third and Fourth streets; establishing "way-finding" systems; and planting trees and placing benches along pedestrian walkways. Way-finding systems consist of repetitive landmarks such as historic-era light poles with banners that show a common theme.

"This just tells a person he or she is headed in the right direction," said Ms. Johncox.

The gateway projects would come under the direction of the Design and Beautification Committee, chaired by local attorney Richard Hammett, also a property owner in the historic district.

"Our first priority will be to look at clean-up projects and then look at long-term design guidelines that will be helpful to any builder or developer, as well as a property owner wanting to renovate their own property," said Hammett.

Other towns such as Granbury and Fredericksburg have encouraged new businesses in the community to build according to suggested guidelines, thereby creating a common thread to structures within the district.

Upper-story housing and residential redevelopment will fall under the Housing Committee, headed by local businessman Dale DeShazo.

"We'll focus on upstairs housing initially, then take a look at the residential area near and around the downtown commercial district to see if significant rehabilitation or new development might be possible," DeShazo said. "It makes sense to me to get undeveloped property improved to the point that the improved property adds to the tax rolls, and certainly the city would like any additional utility revenue."

The local businessman also mentioned exploring governmental assistance for the elderly in renovating a home in the district and the possibility of establishing a local housing authority.

Newly appointed Art Committee chairperson Nancy Gray, owner of Fourth Street Gallery, said her committee is surveying the area for opportunities to paint murals on building walls.

"We want to develop a master plan for murals, mural themes, and are starting to identify area artists who can work on these murals," she said.

Mrs. Wade announced recently that Lampasas Builders Mart and Roland Schaub have donated $1,000 worth of paint for the Art Committee to begin the mural projects.

The Economic Restructuring Committee will work on property vacancies available for rent or sale in the district, according to committee chairperson Sheryl Estes.

Funding for the Vision Downtown Lampasas! projects will be a public/private partnership, explained Incentives Committee chairman and First Texas Bank president Mike Adams.

"The Incentives Committee has been charged with the task of acquiring incentives that will help attract new development and spark revitalization efforts in the target area," Adams said. "We'll look at such items as matching cash funds, grants, property tax abatements and low-interest loan pools."

In addition, a well-coordinated fund-raising program to allow local citizens to participate is being organized, and another local group, Preservation Lampasas Inc., has offered its assistance in the near term.

Citizens can make donations payable to Preservation Lampasas Inc. and noting "Vision Downtown Lampasas!" in the memo section to qualify it as a tax-free donation. Donations also will be accepted at the Oct. 23 kickoff event.

Mrs. Wade expressed her appreciation for the more than 70 volunteers who have signed up to serve on the committees, as well as the task force's board of directors who will begin serving their terms this month.

Board members include Sally Yancy, Steve Nash, Jack Clark, Judy Hetherly, Jill Jones, Linda Nash and Maryann Severn. Other directors are Amanda and Johnny Wade, Nancy Yeary, Jim Rutland and David Whitis.

Perhaps Fred Cummings, chairman of the Marketing and Promotions Committee, best summed up the effort: "We're going to do our best to put Lampasas on the tip of every tongue." And that's exactly what Vision Downtown Lampasas! believes will happen.