Option 3: A selected tourism development project
Because our market may not be strong enough to attract significant traditional commercial development along the riverfront, this option suggests that we package a distinctive tourism project along Veteran’s Boulevard between our two arts and entertainment anchors – RiverPark Center and the Executive Inn. Three thematic approaches warrant closer examination:
A. A Vibrant Entertainment Complex
By building upon the success of Fridays After Five and entertainment featured on the McConnell Plaza near the Executive Inn, a vibrant entertainment cluster could be created along our riverfront. On available properties between the two anchors, an eclectic cluster of entertainment venues could feature popular dance music, country, jazz, blues, comedy club, cinema center, and more. Bluegrass music could be reintroduced at Woodward’s in the International Bluegrass Music Museum. A few additional restaurants could be sprinkled amidst the entertainment venues. Our riverfront could be to Owensboro what Beale Street is to Memphis, the Riverwalk is to San Antonio, or Fourth Street LIVE is becoming to Louisville.
Those who endorse this approach may say... | Those who oppose this approach may say... |
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This is a natural strategy that builds upon successes and existing entertainment anchors. An entertainment complex could be built through a selected proposal from a single developer or through incentives and individual entrepreneurship. The riverfront provides a uniquely appealing setting for this kind of activity. An entertainment complex within walking distance of the Executive Inn would increase our ability to attract conventions. |
There is not enough property available in the area and too many incompatible uses that would take away from the vitality of an entertainment district. Unless it is tourist-driven, our market is not large enough to support such a development. |
B. A Prestegious Center of the Arts
This option suggests that Owensboro has a unique opportunity to become the Stratford, Ontario of MidAmerica. In this 53rd year, Stratford’s Shakespeare Festival will attract 700,000 tourists to 18 plays presented in four venues in this Canadian city of 30,000 people. In the short term, facilities at RiverPark Center, Executive Inn, Theatre Workshop, Goldie’s, and Owensboro High School could be used. For an even more appealing attraction, we could build a cluster of several new performance venues between RiverPark and the Executive Inn within walking distance of one another along our riverfront. We could feature Shakespeare, musicals, dramas, a revival of Josiah!, an original musical revue based on river tunes or the life of Bill Monroe, and much more.
Those who endorse this approach may say... | Those who oppose this approach may say... |
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The cultural tourist is the most desirable type of traveler: more money to spend, respectful hotel guests, appreciative of fine restaurants, etc. We are already blessed with available facilities, a unique and delightful setting, and skilled personnel to produce high quality theater. The tourist traffic generated by the productions would fill hotel rooms, attract conventions, support restaurants and retail shops in our downtown and throughout our community. A fine arts festival would be a natural for such an area, and it would complement RiverPark Center’s new youth academy and the Center’s reputation for launching new touring musicals. |
Construction of additional performance venues would be cost prohibitive; we are still paying for the ones we have. n These kinds of facilities and programs almost always require significant subsidies – perhaps indefinitely. There is not enough available land along the riverfront for the performance venues and parking that would be needed to create such a complex. |
C. A Re-created Historic Rivertown
Attractions that preserve and celebrate our history and cultural heritage are important and increasingly popular. In our area – from Harrodsburg and Boonesboro, to New Harmony, Silver Dollar City, and Nashville, Indiana – tourists continue to be drawn to attractions that enable them to step back in time and gain a sense of what it was like to live in a different era. Despite the popularity of such attractions, few historic rivertowns have been re-created on the banks of mighty rivers. A re-creation of Old Owensborough/Yellowbanks in conjunction with the improvements planned in and around Smother’s Park could be a successful formula. Through such a project, a cluster of buildings would resemble those from the mid- and late-1800’s. There could be a replica of Bill Smother’s cabin, flatboat construction and rides, trade demonstrations by coopers, blacksmiths, tanners, hostlers, sawyers, and other occupations that once characterized rivertowns. We could offer rides in paddle wheelers, Ames buggies, Owensboro Wagons, or streetcars on cobblestone streets. A few buffaloes could water as they once did in a gully where Frederica Street now exists. There could be a peddler on the street promoting elixirs, an old fashion saloon or opera house. Actors “in character” could roam about, sharing stories and portraying historic figures, such as Joseph Hamilton Daviess, our county’s namesake.
Those who endorse this approach may say... | Those who oppose this approach may say... |
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This kind of wholesome, educational attraction would be popular with families, school groups, and senior citizen charter bus tours. This would be the only re-created historic rivertown along the Ohio River. The development may not be a money-maker; nevertheless, it could prove to be a worthwhile investment based on the economic impact of tourist spending on hotels, restaurants, retail, and other local businesses. |
There may not be enough available property for the attractions and parking. Such an attraction would be expensive to research, design, construct and manage. Private investors would be unlikely participants. State or federal funds would be needed to construct and operate the facility. Themed attractions run the risk of being trendy and short-lived. An historic rivertown would blend with our old downtown buildings, but would not blend with the design of the Riverfront Master Plan, Executive Inn, or RiverPark Center. |