HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1983-11-16, Page 19•
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SEAFORT11; ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER '
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• Main Si,, Nick Hill says, has a "marvellous roofscape of towers," plus that "rare combination of order and spontaneity."
Second stories of downtown buildings show
a variety of brick work.
Main St. needs a solid
BY SUSAN WIDTE
Interviews with about 60 people in
business on Seaforth's Main St. have'
convinced architect Nick Hill there's lots of
support for preserving and beautifying the
downtown. But at the same time, a number
of vacant stores and the fact 43 per cent of
the second floor space downtown is vacant,
make him worry that "Main St. is living on
borrowed time to some extent."
Restoration is of no use finless buildings -
are being well used. he said Nov. 8 to
council and the public at a town hall
meeting. Council. the business community
and LACAC (the Local Architectural Con-
servation Advisory Committee which com-
missioned Mr, Hill's heritage district .plan
research) ought to get together and "start
revitalizing what is now a faltering
economic base on Main St."
We have to ask "what is Seaforth, what
are its assets, what -Woes it want to be?"
the Goderich architect says. He outlined
results of interviews with business peopIe
and of his research, compiled in a 45age
booklet with Main St. photos.
IDEAS
While a couple of business people said in
effect, "leave Main St. alone, it's fine as it
is." most had some suggestions for change.
In order of priority they are: beautify the
street, make it warmer; preserve the old'
buildings e'remarkablesupport here, eight
years ago when we worked on restoration in
Exeter it was dangerous for me to walk
down the main street," Mr. Hill joked; and
do some landscaping.
Next, those interviewed on Main St. want
more parking and signs on Hwy. t8
b.
indicating where the business section is.
Empty stores, on Main St. are also a
concern, followed in priority by removing
the parking meters. "I didn't ask leading
questions," Mr. Hill says. The suggestions
were volunteered by business owners (30 to
40 per cent of those interviewed) and staff.
'INE STREETSCAPE
Most people agree with the Ministry of
CultOre and Recreation that Seaforth has.
"one of the finest streetscapes in Ontario."
Mr. Hill says.
But businesses have topull together and
develop a "very good marketing strategy."
Uniform store houis, interesting window
displays, co-operative promotion and ad-
vertising can help boost a downtown
economy, his report says. All are keys to the
success of shopping centres.
Small towns have gone thr gh n
identity crisis in the last 20 year ys,
losing_ belief in themselves and trying to
linitatetities. The irony is, large plazas in
cities are trying tocapture small town assets
like the small, human scale, the personal
contact and a sense of place in history.
Under questioning from -councillor Irwin
Johnston, Mr. Hill said he favors a blend of
old and new buildings, "a messy mix of
storefronts". Don't "over -prettify the
street," he cautions. "It's not a wide
sidewalk."
The architect praised Seaforth business-
people who are planning improvements,
like Ken Cardno of Cardno's Hall and Rene
Dupuis of the Commercial Hotel. "It's nice
to see real life projects in the works too. This
is not just theory,"
The plan for outside renovations at the
Commercial involves shutters in presently
blocked up windows, replacing the original
front porch, and landscaping between the
•building and town owned sidewalk. LACAC
has approved the plans and. the owner is
applying for a corporate sector grant to help
finance the work.
There is a fairly high degree of absentee
ownership of Seaforth's downtown building
stock, Mr. Hill says. Of 61 businesses he
dealt with, just 34 are owner occupied. -
"That can be a problem when you're
planning renovations." But Mr. Hill says
almost everyone is very intersted in -the
• street's future. "I got thrown out of only fine
building."
' What can we do with second stories,
.councillor Johnston asked. Well, says the
Goderich architect, 'apartments are tradi-
tional but many problems make them Jess
attractive than they used to be. Downtown
is a noisy place to live; stairs are steep:
there's a lack of open space and most back
alleys are unattractive. Suggestions to
make better use and develop back yards
downtown did come out in interviews. Mr.
Hill told Betty Cardno. an audience
member.
"It's important this Plan is reflective of
what you think," Mr. Hill said, ' and he
urged people with comments to talk to
deputy clerk Luanne Phair who is secretary
of LACAC. A first draft of the plan for a
downtown heritage district should be in
time for the pecember council meeting.
' "We're concerned that the questions
don't start after the final draft. Get them in
now, " urged Walter Armes of LACAC.
, Although...the basic building layout is simple
a Close look at the brick Work shows it was
done by skilled craftsmen. •
The east side of Main St., left, stands out
from the rest of downtown because it hiss
Individual free etanding buildings. The
architectbays landscaping cobld Ne it
together,
Seaforth's newest downtown dmielopMeint Is
et the .ttouth end of the street. It's Well
located at one end of the proposed heritage
district, Nick Hill says.
•
Photos courtesy of Hill & Borg!!
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