Revitalizing Riverside’s central business district has been a time-honored talking point. In November 1985, in the first issue ever published by the Landmark, the top story on the front page bore the headline “Local businesses need community support.” On page 2 was a photo of the Arcade Building with a caption reading, “Arcade Building – local embarrassment with great potential.”
Folks, that was almost 24 years ago – a generation.
When exactly will Riverside get the political will to address real revitalization for its downtown? It gets talked about a lot, but nothing much ever seems to happen. During the biggest real estate and economic boom of the last generation, namely the late 1990s, Riverside took a pass.
During that time one building of note, the Village Center, was erected downtown and, by then, the parade had passed Riverside by. The other building of note, the Arcade Building, went in reverse.
Earlier this year, Burlington Street received a lift courtesy of the moribund Arcade Building. Its two most popular businesses, Chew Chew and Grumpy’s, relocated to the other side of the tracks, breathing some life into the street.
Now, Chew Chew owner Scott Zimmer is proposing the construction of a “boardwalk” to create a communal gathering spot, something he says could have a ripple effect on surrounding businesses.
Zimmer has seen downtown Riverside “evolve” over the past 14 years. Told that the village was on the brink of great things when he opened up his restaurant in the Arcade Building back then, he has seen little in the way economic development downtown.
The little guys on the street are very much on their own trying to create a vibe that will draw people downtown, because there has never been the political will to devise and then stand behind a plan for downtown revitalization.
The boardwalk idea will get its first formal airing by the Riverside Economic Development Commission. We suppose that’s a fine start, but it can only be a start. What needs to happen is for the idea to go to the group charged with such issues – the Riverside Plan Commission.
Finished with both the residential and commercial zoning of the village, downtown revitalization can be that group’s next great effort.
Is Riverside ready to face that process? The business community is ready to lend ideas, but it can’t effect policy changes for the village. That can only be done by elected officials, assisted by those they appoint to carry out the nitty-gritty details.
The Plan Commission is not burdened by any great matter at this time – they are waiting for their marching orders. We see no reason why there should be a delay in handing them that task.