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Revitalization manager says Restore awards will support about $20 million in downtown improvements; council told of events and capital-project planning
Summary
Brian McCardell, the city's revitalization manager, told the City Council that this year's Restore awards support roughly $20 million in improvements across two redevelopment areas and that the city will use remaining ARPA funds for placemaking events while compiling a prioritized list of capital projects for the coming years.
Brian McCardell, the city's revitalization manager, told the City Council that the city announced awardees of this year's Restore program on Nov. 18 and that the awards will back roughly $20 million in total improvements across the two redevelopment areas.
"There's about $20,000,000 in total improvements, across both redevelopment areas," McCardell said, and he listed the program's early results: "13 buildings, 28 storefronts, and 11 new businesses are coming from that program." He said one former industrial building will house seven new businesses and another redevelopment site will include a bakery and a music hall.
McCardell said the city had initially considered an out-of-market operator for the music hall but is now working with StarSound Audio to manage the venue and host events. He also recapped recent placemaking successes, saying the downtown Christmas tree lighting and related weekend activities drew large crowds and that the city will publish related content and videos.
"Western Lights is coming up again in February," McCardell said, and he added that applications are open for the 2026 activation season. He said the city has "one more year left of the ARPA funds to support all the placemaking activations," which will continue to fund programming such as Flicks on the Bricks, Off the Rails, House Party on the River and Dancing on the River.
Looking ahead, McCardell told councilmembers the advisory board will present a list of potential capital improvement projects for review and prioritization at a future meeting. He said staff will reach out to council members, district leadership and partner organizations (including DRP, RCDA, RTC and the university) to compile a master list of proposals, identify projects for the next five years and budget for the immediate two-year period. He also said the city hopes to issue an RFP for the Horse Street plan before the end of the year and to advance a retail strategy in the new year.
The council approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from Oct. 6 by voice vote earlier in the session. No formal council vote or motion was recorded during McCardell's report; the manager framed his update as informational and forward-looking.
