EDITORIAL: Downtown revitalization is a welcome improvement

As a community, we have been surrounded by orange cones and piles of dirt for several years. Cherry Street construction, the Muenster University Center landscaping and the rise of Coyote Village have been very visible projects as of late.

Most days, it feels as if the constant construction will never end. Once one project ends, another pops up overnight — or so it seems.

We are missing a point of light in this situation. It is the revitalization of our very own downtown Vermillion. Downtown’s subtle transformation has slipped under the radar — or, more likely, has been overshadowed by the lengthy debacle of the north side of town.

Main Street has been the benefactor of much improvement in the past year. In the spring, the new City Hall building opened and throughout the summer, more projects were completed.

Students returned to find a new restaurant choice, an alleyway park and soon a historic bank building will be converted into a steak house with second-floor apartments for rent. These are only a handful of the positive changes to come to the historic downtown area.

Who would have imagined that the former “Public Restroom” building would be turned into a welcoming ice cream parlor? Even the streetlights and benches are details that contribute to the welcoming, historic character of Main Street.

There are places for students, families and community members of all ages and preferences. It is a multipurpose area for the town that is separate from the USD campus. It is a place that isn’t so dedicated to students that community members become alienated.

Often, Vermillion revolves around USD’s students and activities. However, it is key for the town to have an identity of its own, and downtown provides that space. The area will only continue to improve with upcoming additions, but it has already made strides.

Empty strip mall stores and lots are not the face of Vermillion, but that is what visitors see first when driving into town. Even with the construction, Cherry Street will not be able to compete with the character and tone of Main Street.

We hope the improvements made downtown mark a permanent change in atmosphere. The improvements have made it a more welcoming, appropriate indicator of what the town at-large has to offer.

It reflects well on the community and university to have such a diverse and fresh atmosphere to offer all of the area’s residents. We eagerly anticipate taking advantage of current and future investment in Main Street.

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1 comments

Anonymous

Fri Mar 12 2010 15:43

Now if the stiudents would just quit puking in front of the bars on the sidewalks--it would be a pretty main street.

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