Murphysboro Placemaking Action Plan

Population: 7,477

Revitalize 62966 addresses local challenges and builds a practical action plan through creative placemaking, a people-centered approach to building strong, vibrant communities. The project’s goal is to help Murphysboro achieve economic and population growth through the creation of catalytic projects.

Visioning Session

Community input and visioning sessions with a diverse group of residents provided the foundation for identifying the projects that comprise Revitalize 62966. Conversations focused on identifying current community assets, what we need to attract and retain the next generation, and how we can boost and provide economic development opportunities.

visioning-results

Action Plan Overview

Further input was provided through countless one-on-one interviews and small group sessions with key stakeholders, as well as conversations with the Steering Committee members. After much discussion and review, the following projects were determined as the top priorities to be addressed by this plan:

Housing

Focus on both new and improving neighborhoods

Shared Streets

Create a more walkable, pedestrian-friendly community

Downtown Building Improvement Program

Grants and low-interest loans to support revitalization of Main Street

Public Art plan

Beautify the community

Business Assistance

resource guides for starting a business and one example of potential business plan

Community Calendar

Hub for all activities in the area

DT Murphysboro
DT Murph

Project Funders

Special thanks to all those local supporters who made this project possible.

Name / Organization
Elizabeth Smysor Foundation
Murphysboro Tourism Commission
City of Murphysboro
First Bank & Trust of Murphysboro
Admiral Parkway Development – Joe Koppies
Murphysboro School District #186
Murphysboro Main Street
17th Street BBQ – Amy Mills
Penn Aluminum
Egyptian Electric Cooperative
Mike & Sharon Jones
Scott & Paula Maloney
Ryan & Brooke Guthman

Steering Committee

Joni Beth Bailey Joni Beth Bailey Law
Molly Blew Molly’s Pint
Dan Bost Jackson County Board / Bost Trucking
Lily Cook Oasis Skin Care
Mike Cripps First Bank & Trust
Bob Davenport Realty Central
Brad Fager Fager-McGee Commercial Construction*
Aurora Flowers Murphysboro High School
Noah Fritsche Real Church
Jamie Green Murphysboro Main Street
Brooke Guthman Egyptian Electric Cooperative*
Reverend Joe Hoem Immanuel Lutheran Church
Mike Jones Genl. John A. Logan Museum
Shirley Krienert Oak Street Art
Scott Maloney Jackson County Abstract & Title
Amy Mills 17th Street BBQ
Tamiko Mueller Jackson County Board / New Beginningz Realty*
Dillion Rushing Chamber of Commerce / Martel’s Pizza
Will Stephens City of Murphysboro

*Member of Jackson Growth Alliance

Alchemy Community Transformations’ model of economic development utilizes the principles of PLACEMAKING to improve the quality of life for a community, help grow its population, and attract development opportunities. These proposed priority projects were selected with the vision of revitalizing Murphysboro through CATALYTIC PROJECTS surrounding the downtown area as the cultural hub of the community.

Since resources are limited, it is the intent of this plan to recommend projects that can be implemented in a two- to five-year time frame as catalysts for further development. For those reasons, there were a number of additional projects that were considered, but ultimately didn’t make the final cut. Go to Next Steps to learn more about future potential projects.

join us

WE NEED THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO STEP UP AND MAKE OUR VISION A REALITY!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!

Contact us

For any comments or questions about the project:
Brooke Guthman, bguthman@eeca.coop
Will Stephens, mayor@murphysboro.com

Start typing and press Enter to search