Making Lindsborg Pop This Spring and Beyond

Since its inception four years ago, an ongoing Roundtable goal is Lindsborg's visual vibe. So much has been accomplished community-wide-- and we thank you, each and every one, for keeping alive our reputation for curb appeal. From basic maintenance like daily sweeping to large-scale improvements, each effort counts big.

The issue of ongoing visual appeal is why Ad Hoc spent this morning's gathering talking about next steps. What can we do together to make properties vital and inviting?

To start us off, several Ad Hockers did a walking tour of the downtown footprint last week, and they found overall strengths in these areas:
• seating for outdoor eating. Farley's, The White Peacock and Blacksmith Coffee seating add a lot.
• public art. Few communities our size (or larger) can match what we have, including Dala horses, weather vanes, and mounted 2-D pieces.
• varied treatments of sidewalk planters and seating, especially in the 100 block of N. Main.
• sandwich boards. These spice up the walking experience.
• building and awning colors and signage. Generally, a wide variety can be found with a minimum of neon or "commercial" signage.

Ad Hockers found several areas of opportunity for adding life to our street views, including:
• more seating and planters in the 100 block of South Main St. Particular opportunity is seen in the block's working office/meeting space and public library fronts.
• cigarette butt disposal, dog watering stations and pet relief areas in the general downtown area.
• the re-envisioning of Lucia Park just south of City Hall on the 100 block of S. Main to make it more useful and obvious to newcomers as a public amenity. Building walls facing Lucia Park are adorned with beautiful murals -- and yet are seldom enjoyed.

In looking at other visual obstacles downtown, the inventory also cited:
• storefront windows always covered by closed blinds or opaque film.
• buildings that give the overall impression of being abandoned or seldom used.

If you have questions about this walking survey and what you can do to help as we quickly approach spring 2017, please contact David Hay of First Bank Kansas, Jim Richardson at Small World Gallery or Becky Anderson at the Swedish Country Inn.