VISION 2011

Charting the future of Concord's historic downtown district brought more than 70 people to the Downtown Vision Forum on February 22, 2001 at the Concord Hotel.

The forum focused on bringing diverse representatives of the community together to define a shared vision of what Concord's future downtown should be like in 2011. The 70 people attending the meeting represented a cross section of many groups including downtown property and business owners, residents of surrounding neighborhoods and citizens from around the county.

"The Visioning Process gave community members an opportunity to express their views about the direction downtown should take in the future," said Will Swink, President of Concord Downtown Development Corporation. Facilitated by the-North Carolina Main Street Program, the Vision Forum was the beginning of fulfilling the dreams of a viable diverse downtown which will remain the anchor of the city. Across the country, cities are discovering that downtowns are the crucial link to a city's identity. Suburbs are trying to duplicate the positive aspects of downtowns across the United States by developing core areas, which mimic the typical downtown. People are discovering the advantages to living and working in downtowns as well by renovating second story business areas into prime residential spaces.

The forum was the first step in the visioning process to determine how to determine how the downtown will develop during the next decade. The Downtown Vision Forum is one component of the 2011 Master Plan under development by the City of Concord and the Concord Downtown Development Corporation. Components of the Master Plan include the vision of the community, a parking management plan, and a market analysis. We know that the 2011 Master Plan must be market-driven in order to be effective," further commented Swink.

During the forum, citizens were asked to identify the assets of Downtown Concord as well as the liabilities. Those present pointed out that assets include a good mix of merchants, strong residential areas located near downtown, a safe environment, downtown churches, the library, compact walkable area, the Can-Do attitude of citizens and the potential for more retail and restaurants.

Visions for the future included maintaining the historic character of downtown, dining at sidewalk cafes, lots of greenspace, a downtown convention center, a movie theatre, performing arts events and additional parking. "This meeting was very exciting and productive. We will now be able to focus our efforts toward developing a Master Plan which will reflect the desires of the citizens of Concord," Swink commented. Concord became a North Carolina Main Street community in 1990. Since then, downtown has witnessed 23 business expansions and a net gain of 55 new businesses creating 98 jobs. Thirty-nine buildings have been renovated and 44 facades have been rehabilitated. More than $22 million dollars of public and private investment has occurred during the past decade.


"Concord Downtown Development Corporation will strive to create an environment for continued growth and reinvestment in downtown Concord," said Swink.