R.A.M.P.
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Steve Doolittle,
Paducah Riverfront Development Authority Director
e. [email protected]
p. 270.444.5166
Message from US Senator Mitch McConnell
“The next generation is really why we’re here today…the riverfront is the one common neighborhood for everyone in this area…the one neighborhood that everyone shares is the river, because after all, that is how Paducah got here. This great old river is replete with history of the United States of America; it brought the pioneers and then brought the commerce as the most important inland waterway of America. The reason we’re here in the first place is this wonderful, magnificent, river. I want to help this community enhance the river experience so that this one common neighborhood that everyone shares will be a place to come and enjoy yourself for years and years to come…and over the next few years, I hope to help you realize your aspirations for your riverfront.”
–US Senator Mitch McConnell
From a presentation on Paducah’s Riverfront
The Renaissance Area Master Plan
There are 11 elements in the R.A.M.P.
1. Development of a Unified Brand. The plan will help establish an image for the entire Renaissance Area. Each section of the Renaissance Area–downtown, LowerTown, and the Riverfront–possesses a personality and attractions that make them stand out from other arts & entertainment districts in the region. A unified brand will help visitors understand all that
2. Tourist Traffic Flow. The plan will focus on how visitors navigate through the district. The plan will investigate user-friendly parking options, attractive landscape and signage, as well as the value of
3. Development of Unified Streetscape Plan. The plan will evaluate the current streetscape in the Renaissance Area. It will also analyze the connectivity between the three components of the district–downtown, LowerTown, and the Riverfront. A proposed primary pedestrian walking route will be presented with possible ancillary paths, as well. Artists living in the district will be involved in the discussion on public art and sculptural elements that may be appropriate for the district. These may be utilized in the form of a sculpture walk or another creative way to help guide visitors through the district. The plan will include benches, tree guards, and possibly bicycle racks that will enhance the history and character of the district. The plan will propose a variety of special features which will be attractive and useful to visitors.
4. Develop a Strategy to Promote and Market Specific Places of Historical Interest. The plan will include a proposed strategic approach to marketing the historical aspects of the Renaissance Area. It will evaluate current attractions and create a plan that will effectively promote those assets to visitors in the district.
5. Develop a Strategy to Recruit District-Appropriate Businesses and Retain Artists in the LowerTown Arts District. The plan will identify strengths and weaknesses of the market, focusing on retailers that have the potential to thrive under these conditions. The plan will provide a recommendation for how to identify and effectively target businesses and artists that have the potential for being successful in the district. Current market studies will be analyzed, including an ERA study that was conducted to evaluate
The current Artist Relocation Program will be evaluated. A recommendation for improving or refining the program to best meet the needs of artists and arts-related businesses which the program seeks to attract to
6. Provide a Plan for the Future Use and Preservation of the Market House. The historic Market House is one of
7. Evaluation of the Area Around the
8. Generate a Parking Study of the Renaissance Area. The plan will analyze existing parking to determine where needs are being unmet in this area. The plan will evaluate the parking needs that will be presented by the development of the riverfront park, as outlined in the Riverfront Development Plan. The future expansion of the
9. Develop a Market Strategy for the Renaissance Area. The R.A.M.P. will provide connectivity between LowerTown,
10. Highway to Downtown Wayfinding. The current wayfinding system from I-24 to the Renaissance Area will be evaluated. The plan will identify holes in the system and will provide recommendations for providing a more effective method of drawing visitors from the two main east and west
11. Identification and Evaluation of Short and Long Term Development Opportunities. The plan will address both short and long-timer development opportunities. The recommendation will consider future needs of the community and will identify appropriate improvements for the continued development of the Renaissance Area. Potential development areas may include those suggested in the Riverfront Development Plan.
About the Paducah Riverfront Plan
The final Riverfront Redevelopment Plan represents a synthesis of community, stakeholder, river industry and city input and sets forth a single vision guiding future planning and development efforts along the heart of Paducah’s downtown riverfront incorporated along their downtown Riverfront Park. The plan identifies and addresses opportunities related to the following:
- The provision of new and improved facilities for commercial and recreational boating
- Improved physical and visual access to the riverfront
- Enhancement and expansion of riverfront open space, and multi-recreational trail opportunities
- Increased downtown housing combined with commercial/retail and civic activities
