HOULTON, Maine — Business owners, residents and downtown advocates met at the Houlton Town Office just a month after members of the Downtown Institute visited the Shiretown to encourage development in Market Square.
At the June 4 meeting, an open discussion further pressed the need for a Downtown Committee to form and to be active.
“Some group has to be a continuous advocate for downtown to make sure it stays a viable space,” said Brian Stewart of Stewart Engineering. “Economic development is a separate part.”
Though everyone agreed, job creation and a better economy would certainly help to support the downtown businesses, Stewart cautioned the group.
“I think, overall, Houlton needs that as a community,” he said. “But, downtown Houlton, is a specific area that has to be treated differently than Houlton at large. It is a very unique place. If we don’t figure out a mechanism to help downtown from falling into disrepair and demise, it is just going to be the market forces that take it forward.”
That may include more residential development and less commercial.
“It would be beholding to the town planners, business people who want to try to solve this problem to figure out someway to create an entity that is going to protect the downtown buildings from being misdeveloped or from falling down,” he said. “So, what is the mechanism that we can create — this idea of a downtown committee had some sensibility in my mind. We have to get a grip on a comprehensive goal to protect the business interest.”
Among the items to address are: parking, sidewalks, creating energy and communication.
It was suggested that the parking spots go from parallel to angle, with more options for parking behind downtown businesses, allowing more space. The brick on the sidewalks, especially in the wintertime are slippery and it is difficult to clean off snow due to the shifting; and walking is hazardous due to heaving of the bricks over time; the events already held in downtown are vital to keeping the energy in the district to encourage downtown visits; and it is important that businesses work together and organizations compliment each other’s efforts.
“We have a lot to be thankful for,” said Iva Sussman, Cary Library trustee and downtown advocate. “We have a library that is top notch in our state. We have a wonderful park system, our amphitheater, the performing arts at Houlton Community Arts Center and supportive business people who really care about the town.
“We need to remember to be proud of our community assets,” she added.
The group selected some specific tasks to work on and the individuals responsible will report back at the next meeting. Those items address parking and aesthetics in the district. The next Downtown Committee meeting is set for Monday, June 29 at 6 p.m. at the Houlton Town Office.
