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Lebanon aims to revitalize downtown

A real estate sign sits Thursday, Nov. 4, in one of the few empty store fronts in downtown Lebanon. Historic Downtown Lebanon, Inc. has been established to preserve and promote Lebanon’s history and revitalize downtown.

Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli A real estate sign sits Thursday, Nov. 4, in one of the few empty store fronts in downtown Lebanon. Historic Downtown Lebanon, Inc. has been established to preserve and promote Lebanon’s history and revitalize downtown.

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 2:13 PM Monday, November 16, 2009

The 1964 Petula Clark song “Downtown” proudly extolled the merits of what was once the economic and social backbone of many smaller cities in Ohio: “The lights are much brighter there ... no finer place for sure, Downtown.”

Lebanon, with a population of around 20,000, has a relatively full bill of storefronts compared to many downtowns, but the city’s center “folds up” after 5 o’clock, according to council member Charleen Mehaffie Flick. Lebanon’s downtown is not alone in this economic shift: many downtowns have been neglected in favor of shopping center sprawls along major highways.

Leaders of Historic Downtown Lebanon Inc. and the Ohio Main Street Program, say towns like Lebanon can recapture its lost downtown magic.

“Lebanon has a lot of original, classic buildings that are real assets to the town,” said Deborah Yurasek, executive director of HDLI. “Our goal is to develop ways to make it economically feasible to use what the town has as a base for economic development.”

The historical group, founded in 2007, was recently admitted to the Main Street Ohio program, a state-run program composed of historic downtowns like Lebanon, Greenville or Troy, looking to revitalize the business and residential aspects of the once vibrant region. Today, more than 1,200 cities take part in Main Street programs across the county, including 38 in the state of Ohio.

To qualify for the program, towns must have a developing public/private partnership, a historic downtown with a traditional commercial district and dedication to historic preservation.

Jeff Siegler, director of revitalization for Heritage Ohio, said the key is using the historic charm of a downtown in a way that doesn’t turn the buildings into museum pieces.

Steve Mullinger, head of the HDLI board, said being part of the Main Street Ohio program has given loyal, dedicated Lebanon residents a chance to focus their efforts.

He said while investigating the program’s effectiveness in other communities, he realized Lebanon’s historic makeup “put the city several steps ahead of many communities already.”

“If we can just build on that uniqueness, there’s really no limit to what our downtown can become,” Mullinger said.

HDLI officials realize the downtown needs to be built on a foundation of usefulness to residents who need to have a day-in, day-out use for the district.

“A successful downtown needs to offer things that people locally need,” Siegler said. “A downtown can’t aim to attract people from everywhere.”

In 2009, HDLI’s goals, besides establishing itself, were to focus on retaining businesses already in downtown, a task that took on added urgency with the crunched economy. Among their activities were programs for local merchants to “sharpen tactics” to make more successful retail businesses.

Even more than the history laid in the mortar of each of Lebanon’s historic building, the organizers of HDLI said the key to the organization — and downtown’s success — is the volunteers working tireless for it.

Flick said she was awe-struck by the talent and dedication of volunteers.

“For this group, failure isn’t an option,” Flick said. “They are meeting and working constantly.”

“It’s not some hierarchy pushing down on people,” Mullinger said. “Our volunteers are conceiving the projects and investing a lot of hours to make them a reality.”

“You used to be able to buy anything downtown, not just a special “gift,” Flick said. “We’re working to create a downtown that doesn’t fold up at 5 p.m.”

And somewhere, the voice of Petula Clark rings out once more, reminding HDLI and all the Main Street communities that once again, “Downtown will be waiting for you tonight.”

Main Street Ohio Programs  in Southwestern Ohio

Bellefontaine — Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership

Dayton — Wright—Dunbar, Inc.

Greenville — Main Street Greenville

Lebanon — Historic Downtown Lebanon, Inc.

Lima — Downtown Lima, Inc.

Piqua — Mainstreet Piqua, Inc.

Springfield — Springfield Center City Association

Troy — Main Street, Inc.

Wilmington — Main Street Wilmington

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I forgot to mention Golden Lamb. Now they are a different story. They used to have good food years ago, but my latest experience was canned green beans and box mashed potatoes as side dishes. Won't go there again.

memawd
11:13 PM, 11/16/2009

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I agree about Brants service being good. As a widow, I go in there because they show you where the item is or get it for you. They are so helpful unlike the big box stores.

memawd
11:09 PM, 11/16/2009

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I love going to Brandt's! I go there before going to the big orange place! They treat you right. When my kids needed a tractor weighed the guys did it for free. They didn't have to and I'm sure no one else would have! I would like to see more than ice cream and pizza. Some nice place to eat downtown other than the Golden Lamb. Affordable stuff for your average families that aren't a bar.

me
3:10 PM, 11/16/2009

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Im not sure what the mystery is for downtown Lebanon? The core of any "vibrant" town is food & drink. So, lets move beyond only one bar and tons of ice cream and we'll probably see more foot traffic. Yeah, yeah, i know...Golden Lamb. Sure, great place...but how many times do you eat there per year?

RLB
1:04 PM, 11/16/2009

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Mar. '09--Jun. '10 for the Streetscape Improvement Project. The streets and sidewalks are torn up right now! Plus they were torn up in the 1st part of this decade. I know 'cause I worked in that area from 1998-2004. Soon as they get one job done, they plan another. Now tell me I'm lying!

tbill
10:43 AM, 11/16/2009

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