downtown monroe main street presentation

Downtown Monroe

Past, Present and Future

Historic Downtown

Monroe

Historic Downtown Monroe Humble Beginnings

Monroe traces its origins to Fort Miro and its associated Spanish Post.

In 1782 Spain Commissioned Don Juan Filhiol to establish a fort along the Ouachita River.

Fort Miro was built in 1790, and became the center of commerce and activity for residents.

In 1811 Filhiol donated a parcel of land to serve as the courthouse site. The town began to develop around the courthouse square.

Major processing center for cotton and cotton products.

Historic Downtown Monroe A City is Formed

Monroe was granted a charter as a town in 1820 and incorporated as a city in 1871.

History books provide two theories on how Monroe adopted its name.

President James Monroe -Steamboat Monroe

Two pre-1890 buildings remain in the district,

Clerk of Court’s office and the Isaiah Garrett Law Office

Historic Downtown Monroe Period of Industrial and Economic

Growth

Railroad Construction

Population Growth

Mayor Andrew Forsythe “Father of Municipal Ownership

Ouachita Coca-Cola Bottling Company

Monroe Natural Gas Field

Municipal Street Railway System

St. Francis Medical Center

Delta Air Lines

Downtown Trolley

Bustling Business District

A View Down Desiard St.

What Happened to Our Downtown?

Increased Automobile ownership led to the relocation of many businesses.

Twin City Shopping Center.

Sears Roebuck and JC Penny where the first to relocate

Eastgate Plaza.

One by one businesses began moving from Downtown to other lying shopping centers on Louisville Avenue

Downtown Monroe (Present)

Vacant Lots

Downtown Monroe (Present)

Vacant Buildings

First Floor Vacancy

Second Floor Vacancy

Underutilized Space

Infill Space

What Will Save Our Downtown?

How can this Program Help?

Supports Current Community Efforts

Preserve our Historic Treasures

Complements our Current Efforts

Base for Future Growth and Development

Proposed Main Street District

Two Story Mixed Use Buildings

Office, Residential, Art Galleries

Old Ouachita Bank Building/Vantage

Health Plan

Old Sears and Roebuck

Building/Willstaff Worldwide

JS Bloch Building (Ferd-Levi Building)

National Register

The Boardwalk Building

Preserving Downtown’s Historic

Character

Downtown Trolley Line

Support our Local Artist

Events and Festivals

Downtown Art Fest

Cultural Events Committee ‘Tis the first weekend in

December and all through the town several events are happening everywhere you look around.

Working to create a calendar of events.

Promotional Process

Support Existing Events

Attract Tourist

Beautification Committee

Litter Prevention

Regular Maintenance

Paint Curbs and Sidewalks

Spotter

Downtown News Star Ad

Downtown News Star Ad

Downtown Monroe

Looking Towards the Future

Support Our Cultural Assets

Our Time is Now! (Support Organizations)

City of Monroe Downtown Economic Development District

Monroe Chamber of Commerce Monroe-West Monroe Convention and Visitors Bureau

Monroe Renaissance University of Louisiana at Monroe Northeast Louisiana Arts Council

Louisiana Tech School of Architecture Monroe Jaycees

CenturyTel Opus Broadcasting

The News Star Historic Preservation Commission

North Delta Planning and Development

Presentation Created and Performed

By

Cynthia Crosby

678-600-4316 cynthiac@poshconcepts.net

www.poshconcepts.net