Right Time, Right Approach, Right Place

As it has progressed more from an idea to proposal, Sidney’s Hickory Square project has come more to the forefront in discussion lately, both public and private.

The project’s backers, simply put, are following a sort of “if you build it, they will come” approach toward drawing people into the downtown business district.

Central to the idea is developing a place where people can congregate, and, while in the area migrate to businesses.

It’s an idea with merit.

With the proposal advancing, more information has come out about it. And this is not simply something to make the area more “pretty” just for the sake of having the idea. It is a well thought-out plan, formed with a purpose. If you haven’t actually seen the proposal, we encourage you to talk to the Chamber of Commerce. See for yourself what it is. Ask questions.

In the past few years, the Chamber of Commerce and City have hosted events large and small in the area of 10th Avenue and Hickory Street. Some, like the Farmer’s Market, leave 10th Avenue open, while others have blocked off access to the entire block for a short time.

For the long term, Hickory Square lands right in the middle, proposing to develop permanent features that would close 10th Avenue from just north of the alley to the intersection with Hickory, leaving Hickory and the alley open for traffic.

History of the past year shows local residents will attend events in the area. It has been estimated as many as 500 people attended each of the three Downtown Sounds events last summer. And they didn’t just attend the concerts, many also spent money while they were there.

During Downtown Sounds, the businesses that were open in that block had to have successful nights. By our observation those businesses, a bar and a pizza place, were not only busy, they were packed. Prior to the Christmas parade a couple of years ago we had a reporter who was glad another business was still open when they arrived, having discovered there were no gloves inside their pockets. In both instances, commerce was brought to those businesses on what would have been an otherwise routine evening.

We’ve heard the argument that the amenities of Hickory Square could be developed in Legion Park. True, but that’s not the point. Hickory Square’s proposal is downtown specific. Built in the downtown area specifically for the benefit of downtown businesses.

Let’s say for a moment Downtown Sounds became the Legion Park Series. On those evenings, 500 people fill the park and enjoy the music. Then they go... downtown for dinner? Highly unlikely.

But with Downtown Sounds, the businesses benefit, because the event brings the customers right to their door. And as the Square develops, those businesses that can will benefit. There is another eatery right on the corner that has lunch-only hours. Want to bet they couldn’t benefit from the higher traffic count, even just once a month?

There is no down side here. The project is funded entirely through grants and donations. The grants are specific to these types of projects and wouldn’t be otherwise used. They can’t be used to fix streets or pay bills; nothing outside of improvement projects.

The time has come. This is an opportunity to make a move toward continual improvement of our downtown district. Never before has it needed a shot in the arm like right now, and Hickory Square can be that booster.

Bravo for the people who are taking this opportunity to try for local improvement.

The alternative is to sit idly by without trying anything. Then we might be left with only the question of “what if.”