Group mulls downtown's future

Bob and Sharon Kamman can remember a time when downtown Seymour thrived.

“In the ’50s and ’60s, it was a destination,” Bob said. “You couldn’t find a parking spot, it was that busy.”

“There were nice dress shops and shoe stores and people would go to the Majestic Theatre,” Sharon added.

The Kammans are “optimistic” that with hard work and dedication from local residents and business owners, the downtown can be restored to some of its former glory.

“I’d like to see us get some of that back,” Bob said. “There’s a lot of potential here.”

They aren’t the only ones pulling for revitalization.

More than 50 people came together Tuesday night downtown at the Seymour Community Center to begin envisioning what they want the downtown and the Seymour community to be, both now and in the future. The meeting was sponsored by Seymour Main Street.

In attendance were downtown business and property owners, city and community leaders, those who live in the downtown and others, like the Kammans, who are just interested in what’s going on.

Susie Bruce, project manager with the Indiana Office of Rural and Community Affairs, led the brainstorming session.

After listing recent community accomplishments, existing assets and strengths and needed improvements, Bruce asked the crowd to come up with ideas of what they would like to have in Seymour if money were no object.

Responses included a YMCA, large music venue, a train station, indoor sports complex, all underground wiring for utilities, new sewers and roads, a casino, free downtown Wi-Fi Internet, an ice rink, microbrewery, skate park, water park, drive-in theater, book store, more sit-down restaurants and retail stores.

Afterward, Bruce had each person mark their top five ideas.

She said the exercise was to get people to “think outside the box,” and not limit themselves.

“When we think small, we lose the ability to think big,” she said.

Although many of the ideas sounded unattainable, Bruce said it’s a matter of getting organized, getting people involved and making it happen.

“Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change things,” she said.

“If you don’t do it, who will?”

She challenged the group to keep their energy and enthusiasm going and to spread it to others.

“Energy breeds energy,” she said. “Don’t let these ideas fall by the wayside.”

James Hankins, of The Music House Café at 103 N. Chestnut St., said he attended the meeting to be part of a new era for the downtown.

“I want change,” he said. “I want the downtown to be alive with people and stores and things to do.”

Right now, there aren’t enough retail stores in the downtown and people have to go outside of the area to get what they need.

“I shouldn’t have to go out of town to Columbus or Greenwood or Indianapolis to shop,” he said.

Hankins stayed after the meeting to find out more about becoming a member of Main Street. He said he hopes to see the initiative continue to grow and gain momentum.

“Tonight, I see evidence of people coming together and sharing ideas and it’s encouraging,” he said.

Ruth Ann Rebber, president of Main Street, said those who are a part of the organization are “excited about the possibilities.”

“We are trying hard to develop a downtown that is economically strong and support our businesses that are here while encouraging other businesses to come,” she said.

 “We hope to mesh all of these ideas and the enthusiasm to move forward with our downtown and community.”
Rebber said the next step in the process will be working with Matthew Crouch, a community liaison with the Office of Rural and Community Affairs.

“He will be helping us find grants and other dollar opportunities to get started,” she said.

Main Street will be working to establish short- and long-term goals and ways to achieve those goals.

Another public meeting will be set at a later date to discuss information gathered at Tuesday’s session and to move forward with ideas, Rebber said.