A River District renaissance

The city of Danville and Danville Regional Foundation are working together to bring about a renaissance of Danville’s River District — an area spanning from Ridge Street to Riverside Drive and Poplar Street to the Carrington Pavilion. But we need the involvement of more people in this critical effort.

In these tough times, why should you care about the River District? The answer is that the Dan River and the River District are what distinguish Danville from thousands of other communities in competing to attract new residents and businesses. With many of Danville’s oldest, most architecturally attractive and significant buildings, it’s key to our heritage and sense of community. It’s the most important gathering place for community events. The impression both residents and outsiders have of the River District is projected on the community as a whole.

In addition, as we look around the Southeast, the communities that are experiencing rebirth have strong downtowns — Lynchburg, Greenville, S.C., and in North Carolina, Durham and New Bern. These vibrant urban centers, and the amenities they offer, have become the hub for activity in attracting a talented workforce. This has produced a clear competitive advantage in recruiting and retaining young people and businesses.

Our downtown — our River District — is indeed fortunate to be on a beautiful river near which we have an abundance of historic buildings yearning for revitalization. This infrastructure will become our competitive advantage as we seek to recruit new economy businesses and workers to the Dan River Region.

Over the past year, the River District has experienced much progress. More importantly, many of you have shown your support and interest by attending and giving input during planning activities and public meetings.

This year’s bright spots

The first example of many bright spots over the past year is the revitalization of 512 Bridge Street, the former Dimon building near the Riverwalk Trail and Carrington Pavilion. The Danville Industrial Development Authority, Averett University and the Danville Regional Foundation have partnered to save and reuse this beautiful set of buildings. Averett has located its graduate and professional studies and is moving its new health sciences program to the Riverview Campus. As a result, more than 150 additional people are now eating and shopping in the River District. That number will continue to grow.

Second, the rehabilitation of the Ferrell building on Main Street into retail space and market-rate apartments is complete. These apartments complement the living opportunities at The Burton, Dan River Crossing Apartments, Lindsay Lofts and Lynn Street Lofts that are occupied at or near full capacity.

Third, there was broad community engagement in the development of the River District plan that was completed last year. This effort extends into 2012 as streetscape planning and improvements occur on Main and Union streets.

Fourth, the River District has seen the arrival of businesses and organizations such as 316 Cibo (an eatery), the Gourmet Frog (a wine and gift shop) and Jake’s on Main (a restaurant and bar), Lavinder Group Insurance, Adam’s Shoe Shop, Demont Designs, Virginia Legal Aid Society, Zinc Total Salon, Spin Bike Shop, Supply Resources, the United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Fifth, Bridge Street is transforming into a good mix of technology, educational and office uses. In a retrofitted former warehouse along this street, the only Cray XMT Supercomputer not located in a federal facility or major research university operates, and it is providing graphic analytics capability for private businesses, large and small, that simply does not exist anywhere else in the world. Luna Nanotechnology is located next door, where it conducts research and manufacturing on a small scale in fields as diverse as medicine and energy conservation.

Next, the arts are in full swing with Main Street and South and North Union streets serving as its hub. Meredith Gravely’s School of Dance, DRAW Gallery, Riverland Music, The Union Street Theatre and the Danvillian Gallery are now providing instruction and performances in the visual and performing arts.

A final example is the diverse crowd of thousands who came together during the first annual River District Festival this past October. The streets around Newton’s Landing, by the river and Carrington Pavilion, were packed with events and concerts.

What’s to come in 2012?

The new, state-of-the-art Danville Family YMCA will break ground this spring on the north bank of the river near the King Memorial Bridge.

This will be the first building facing the Dan River built in 100 years. Near the Carrington Pavilion and Community Market, the Danville Science Center will begin construction of the large format screen theater.

This year, we will see the demolition of the former Downtowner Motel, a building that has been a vacant eyesore for decades.

The River District Festival will evolve and improve with new activities and performance events. New living spaces for students and professionals will begin development, providing more clients and customers for River District businesses and service providers.

More architectural gems that had fallen into a state of disrepair will again experience their former beauty, accompanied by the sounds of people working, shopping, eating and gathering within them. The city and private sector investors are leading the way in these critical reinvestments, more of which will be announced in upcoming months.

River District Challenges

With the many successes come challenges within the River District.

The city has stepped up code enforcement on existing properties; however, absentee landlords continue to let buildings decay. Uncertainty exists over the use of the White Mill.

Many citizens are still unaware of the myriad amenities and opportunities existing within the River District. We talk to people who have never been to our Riverwalk Trail and the nearby 25 miles of mountain biking trails or taken in a concert at the Carrington Pavilion. The River District Festival is a positive step in ramping up awareness, but more can be done.

What can you do?

Most importantly, what can you do to make the River District a success?

If you own a property in the River District, maintain it as if it were your own home. Even though the city and IDA have purchased properties, resources are limited. Private owners who are committed to the revitalization of the River District are critical to its success.

Shop and eat in the River District. Business owners here are fellow Danvillians who have invested heavily and fully believe that the future of Danville as a whole rests in the renaissance of the River District.

Come to events held in the River District. There are many concerts, festivals and special events to enjoy down by our Dan River while visiting with old friends and making new ones.

Tell family, friends and everybody you come into contact with about the River District. There is so much unexplored activity here for our residents. There is also much opportunity for entrepreneurs and small and larger business owners alike to relocate or set up shop.

Stay informed and, if you have not yet, get involved in the planning process for the rebirth of Danville’s River District as "the place to be" — there is still time to do so. All of the planning documents developed to date are available online at www.danville-va.gov. Here you will also find periodic updates on the status of current projects and notices of future meetings.

Our issue is a complex one with a simple answer — the River District is vital to the resurgence of Danville’s economy. As Danville’s economy improves, so will our surrounding areas. Many cities now prospering are only doing so because they invested in the improvement of their downtowns. The people living in these cities believed in these revitalized downtowns.

As we go about our River District renaissance, you are a vital part in making its bright future and the future of Danville a reality for you, your children and generations to come.

King is city manager of Danville. Stauber is president and chief executive officer of the Danville Regional Foundation.