The Downtown DeKalb Council will meet Thursday to discuss their 1988-89 plans to revitalize downtown DeKalb.

DeKalb Council President Lance Hansen said, “The organization began through the Economic Development Group and the city to revitalize downtown (and) create a uniqueness.”

Last July, several public meetings were held for DeKalb residents to express their opinions, Hansen said.

“The organization has progressed far enough to make a presentation of the group’s plans,” Hansen said.

DeKalb Council Secretary Bob Bradbury said people involved in the organization are merchants, landlords, professionals and interested citizens connected mainly with downtown. He said, “All members work or own property downtown.”

Hansen said, “We (the group) know we need the leadership of a professional to revitalize downtown.” The professional would organize retail events as well as non-retail events, such as an art show, to draw people to DeKalb’s shops.

At fall meetings, the group discussed how to create an atmosphere in town by designing store windows, Hansen said.

He said parking was a “tremendous” concern among the merchants. Their concerns stem from not having enough available parking and how to obtain funds to install more spaces.

In addition, maintenance and clearing the town of broken beer bottles were high priorities of the council, Hansen said.

Strengthening the tie between NIU and the town was another item the council would like to address, Hansen said. “A college with (about) 26,000 students and a town with (about) 36,000 residents should have a great downtown,” he said.

“DeKalb has the opportunity to be good and strong—it just needs improvements,” He said.

Improving the downtown area involves money, and ways to attain funds is the topic members will discuss Thursday, Hansen said.

Bradbury said three possible sources of funding are being considered. He said the council already has received from the city a $25,000 grant from tax increment financing.

The possibility of two different types of membership dues will be discussed, Bradbury said.

“Voting membership will be asked for annual dues between $200 and $3,000, (and) associate dues will be between $50 and $199 a year,” he said.

A proposal has not been made for the third funding source which includes a “service tax area” consisting of a local real estate tax, Bradbury said.

The meeting will be held at Matthew Boone’s Restaurant, 122 S. First Street, at 7:30 p.m., Hansen said.

Hansen said, “I hope we pack the place. I know negative opinions will be voiced, but I’m willing to listen to those too.”