Helping Niles become a destination

Published 8:39 am Tuesday, July 7, 2009

By By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
Ten years ago, Dan Burden took a walk through downtown Niles.
Ten years ago, sheets of tin shrouded the character and the history of Niles' downtown structures. It was a much different scene along Main Street's streetscape back then.
And it's a new day now.
On Monday, Burden returned to Niles, this time as part of the state's Cool Cities Initiative, of which Niles is a part.
He took another walk through the city to see just how far officials have come in their structural, commercial and community minded changes.
And, as it seems, things aren't half bad.
"The very good news," Burden said, while addressing an audience made up of members of the Niles community. "Niles has the very right bones to be one of the top ranked towns in the nation."
The city, Burden said, is stocked with amenities. Its history, including the prominence of the railroad and Fort St. Joseph archeological site, the rush of the St. Joseph River which cuts through the city's landscape, several parks all contribute to the allure of the city, which looks a whole lot prettier to Burden now that the city has broken free of its former shell.
"You've now undone some of the harm," he said. "But there is still more work to be done."
In a two-hour presentation to members of the community, business owners and city officials, Burden discussed the elements of small towns across America that have capitalized on turning themselves into "destinations."
Elements that help "create a sense of place."
Burden conducts walking audits like the one he did for Niles 10 years ago and the one he took Monday throughout the country. Cities similar to Niles are particularly successful when it comes to transforming their persona.
"We see faster change or more profound change, when looking at communities the size of Niles," he said.
Burden used snapshots of several cities and towns from across America to illustrate what he felt was necessary for Niles, elements like hanging florals, canopying trees and tree wells. Niles seems to have made an attempt at some of those elements, Burden said, but quite simply, needs more.
"Some of the things I look for in the completion of your street in the future is a lot more green," he said.
Burden pointed to pictures of streetscapes flanked with prominent signs for retail stores and restaurants with outdoor seating along the front of their respective properties, public benches and vertical parking.
"These all add to the sense that there's something going on in this town," he said.
Creating a sense of place and turning Niles into a destination would bring in visitors from outlying areas such as South Bend, Ind. and even Chicago.
In addition to street trees and landscaping, Burden said Main Street could only benefit from additional delis and coffee shops.
"You can't build place without a strong, compelling sense of what your street is all about," he said.
Particularly important parts of downtown that Burden focused on included the corner of Front and Main streets, where many converge each summer for the Bensidoun French Market. The space is ideal for an additional structure, he said, such as a possible hotel, and could use more greenery.
Fifth and Main is another important focal point of the downtown streetscape, he said, and will only be enhanced with renovation concludes at the old Ready Theater.
"If we're to do any of these things, we're going to have to talk about change," said Burden. "And change, is not something that comes easily to the American psyche."
Still, he said, "the change is already on the way."
Socially speaking more and more reports are being done on the shift seen in people across the country who once left their small towns for the bigger cities. Those are now returning to those smaller towns and cities.
"We weren't understanding the complexity of our cities and taking care of them," Burden said. "That's the gift of Niles, you've got the great bones that it's going to take to become one of the great towns in America."
So, if Niles build it – will the people and the business really come?
"If you don't build it, they can't come," said Main Street's Lisa Croteau.
Croteau was happy to see that "we've not made any glaring mistakes," and said Burden "defined some opportunities for the future.
"We're on our way," she added. "You start with baby steps and you look at it as opportunities for growth for the future."
Growth that could result in Niles becoming more than just a destination – but a true treasure.
"You sit a beautiful distance from Chicago…" Burden said. "Once you get high speed rail in, you are the undiscovered gem."