DELPHOS — According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, rural America makes up 80 percent of the nation’s real estate. Therefore, much of the country is constituted by towns like Delphos.
The local “Main Street, USA” faces common nationwide challenges caused by cultural and economic shifts toward large retail chains and shopping malls. Downtown Manager Jay Smith is optimistic that downtown Delphos can escape those trends if the community is persistent.
“Every historic downtown has to focus on a niche rather than try to compete with shopping malls and big box stores. That’s the secret to success in any downtown,” he said.
Smith believes Delphos has several key components to downtown renewal already in place. He looks to the community’s strong families and religious values, as well as its architectural design.
“We need to realize downtown will not be what it once was. However, housing close to downtown is the key for small cities. Large cities have seen a downtown businesses decline that follows people relocating to the suburbs. However, in Delphos, many people live within walking distance of downtown,” he said.
While Smith sees these attributes as building blocks for Delphos, the primary source of his optimism is the prevalent attitude among downtown business owners.
“The spirit here is tremendous. There’s a real ‘let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work’ attitude,” he said.
Many business owners have responded to an effort to gather a group of committed property owners in the “project area.” The Delphos Area Chamber of Commerce was a driving force, as plans were set to compete for a state grant.
“The state had to see a certain level of commitment from business owners and a project area had to be designated. There had to be a concentration of buildings and enough interested owners to be competitive with other cities. That’s why the project is concentrated around downtown,” Smith said.
Approximately a year ago, a proposal was made to state authorities and the community was grated state dollars.
“There is roughly $192,000 available in small city moneys as a Community Development Block Grant,” he said.
Projects are limited to improvements such as electrical, plumbing, roofing and the like. Because things like chipped paint falls within the perimeters set by the state, unsightly buildings not in use may also be improved.
“One of the areas we’re most concerned with is the 300 block of North Main,” he said.
He indicates the buildings in question are structurally sound and have ample room for commercial and residential use.
Though each property owner must pay the initial cost of his or her project, half of the amount will be reimbursed up to $10,000. Smith says many business owners may only need a small portion of that figure.
He also stresses there is a common misconception about downtown revitalization.
“When you have grant money — and this is the only grant money available for something like this — it’s a great incentive for people to make upgrades. Because these are historical buildings, people assume their are grant dollars out there laying around everywhere and their aren’t. This is the time to take advantage of this,” Smith said.
Downtown property owners who have yet to begin plans may contact Smith on the second floor of the Spherion building for an application.
“Then we’ll sit down and talk about what kind of work they want to do,” he said.
The exterior work not only ensures code compliance but is a key cosmetic element to rebuilding the historic business district. Reshaping the perception of downtown Delphos can be accomplished in conjunction with restoring historic facades.
While only a few projects are currently underway, many are planned. Currently, H&R Block franchise owner JoAn Smith is conducting facade work to her building in effort to restore its early 1900s exterior. Some historic store fronts have been covered with siding in recent years, leaving original woodwork in place.
The downtown manager says turning downtown around starts with renewing its facilities. He also says a variety of niche stores and services can create a flow of customers sustainable after 5 p.m.
One possibility involves reopening a former movie theater to feature independent films, documentaries and other productions that cannot be seen at a modern multi-plex.
Smith says this is a growing trend that has been accomplished in towns similar to Delphos. The Princess Theatre in South Pittsburg, Tenn., and the El Cerrito Theater in El Cerrito, Calif., are just two of the nation’s restored, historic movie houses which had previously been turned into other types of businesses.
Other niches may include an East Coast-style delicatessen or any other product or service the tri-county market is not already saturated with. Smith says another example is a photography studio moving into 212 N. Main St.
“It’s a real boost to the program to see a new business this early in the process. The goal is to have all the buildings on Main St. in use and renovating the buildings is the first step,” he said.
“Every city has to realize its assets and build on them incrementally over the long run. Downtown Delphos will not turn around overnight — it takes a long-term commitment.”