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<br />Although the City of Hutchinson's downtown maintained much of its <br />original character, signs of its age and decreasing economic viability were <br />beginning to show, prompted the City to hire a consulting team, led by <br />HKGi, to develop a master plan to guide future efforts to revitalize <br />downtown Hutchinson. The study included an extensive assessment of <br />downtown's current conditions; a market analysis; land use, traffic, and <br />parking recommendations; streetscape and building design guidelines; and <br />an implementation strategy to guide the City through plan implementation. <br /> <br />The Master Plan attempts to build upon Hutchinson's existing strengths. <br />For example, the city's residents have a strong history of supporting the <br />performing arts and would like their downtown to include such <br />opportunities. The Master Plan seizes on this objective by proposing an <br />initiative to reuse a downtown school auditorium as a multi-organizational <br />performing arts center that could host locally-produced and touring <br />productions. Civic uses such as the Library-a Carnegie Library surrounded <br />by Library Square park-also form a pillar of the downtown fabric. <br />Revitalization efforts should capitalize on the activity generated by civic <br />uses. Other initiatives build on the downtown's historic character, the Crow <br />River and Luce Line Trail as recreational attractions, and the desire of <br />Hutchinson'5 residents to see more downtown residential opportunities. <br /> <br /> <br />71Je Crow River (ommons, a riveJfront park, WOlJld provide a re(lffitianal attraction for downtown and would conned to the <br />Luce Une Trail, It would also provide an attractive setting for new housing on the opporlJ..mities. <br /> <br />Downtown Revitalization <br />Master Plan <br /> <br />Hutchinson, Minnesota <br /> <br />City of Hutchin!on <br /> <br />2003 Minnesota APA <br />Award Winner <br /> <br />..-:/'\ <br />..:, "'''" <br />t1 '""'. ~" r lif <br /> <br />~.'l~~~ <br /> <br /> <br />A farmers market buill adjacent to liblary Square aJllkJ attlat1 visltOlS to <br />the downtown. 11Ie design of the pavJ//on might mirror the UlNary's <br />-res. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />The fabric of Downtown Hutchinson retains much of its historic <br />dlaracter (top left phato), but many Individual properties suffer from <br />unaemtUizaliDn and a resuhing shortsge of investmenl in malnlenance <br />and upkeep. Reuse of propertles such as the State 11Jeater (bottom letIJ <br />and the Hutminsan Hotel (top SketdJ) will be necessary in order to <br />begin the process of revttalization. Mal/lanai streetscaping, <br />designed to complement existing feafures sum as the <br />Hager Jewelry dodc (right photo), is also called (or in the Master Plan. <br /> <br />Hoisington Koegler Group Inc. <br /> <br />1.1I11 <br />lBD <br />