Don’t discount Downtown
Phil Cobb
Whether you refer to it as Downtown or Uptown — the heart or the hub of your town — a thriving town center is crucial to the survival of any small community.
With highway by-passes having become commonplace, in many cases, people are no longer forced to drive through the middle of a town.
That’s certainly true for Maryville.
We’ve had the good fortune to do quite a bit of traveling over the past few years, much of it by automobile, and I can technically say I’ve “been to” many cities and towns.
But how many have I really “been to?”
For instance, I’ve “been to” Nashville, but I haven’t experienced the city at all.
Same goes for Louisville, Fargo, Memphis, etc.
A town needs a place that when you get there, you know you have arrived and that you’ve experienced the uniqueness of that place.
Not that the aforementioned cities don’t have those places, I just haven’t been to them because I flew right by on the Interstate Highway.
The same is true about travelers who come to or go through our town.
There are a few major gathering places in Maryville that draw people from far away and not so far away — the university, the high school, Mozingo Lake Recreation Park, and Maryville Community Center to name a few.
But a town needs a place to pull all the people from all those places together, and there’s no better place to do that than in the center of town.
Not only should it be a safe and pleasant place to visit and hang out, but it should send a message to visitors — not just tourists, but potential residents and potential employers — that Maryville is a happening place — a place they would like to return to — a place they might like to stay.
For the past two-plus years, a group called Maryville Downtown Improvement Organization, of which I am proud to be a part of, has been building a foundation upon which to begin a meaningful effort to create such an environment.
Recently the group has adopted the moniker Downtown Maryville, and that’s what it’s all about, developing, improving, and maintaining a vibrant downtown district.
Current efforts by the group include, but certainly aren’t limited to, the acquisition of a vacant lot on which to create a pocket park, and additions and improvements to Christmas decorations throughout the Downtown district.
This park would incorporate trees, bushes, sidewalks, a “destination mural,” and potentially a water feature.
Board members and committee members are currently seeking sponsorships and door prizes for Downtown Maryville’s second annual Glitz and Glam event to help raise money for future efforts.
They are also selling raffle tickets for a “Stay and Play” package which includes four rounds of golf at Mozingo Lake Recreation Park and a stay in Cabin No. 8 at Mozingo, which will sleep up to 15 people.
If you live in or own a building or business in the Downtown Maryville district, which extends from Seventh Street to Jenkins and from Dewey to Fillmore, if you have an interest in improving Downtown Maryville, or if you just want to know exactly what this group is up to, here’s your chance:
Attend the MDIO Stakeholders meeting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at The Pub, located at 414 N. Main St. in — you guessed it — Downtown Maryville.
It’s open to anyone who would like to attend.
It will be a great opportunity to find out what has happened so far, what is currently happening, and what is planned for the future, plus you’ll have the chance to get involved in making a difference in Downtown Maryville.
Phil Cobb is the owner and publisher of the Maryville Daily Forum and The Post.
