For a possible new look and site for tourist attractions, the city council workshop Monday night discussed future renovations and additions to downtown DeKalb that eventually may provide NIU students with a means for more entertainment.

Heather Fosburgh, executive director of Main Street/DeKalb, presented a Streetscape Plan for downtown DeKalb that would improve the overall quality and perception for both residents and tourists.

But the overall plan from, what is projected to be a five-year plan if implemented, is to promote quality development, maximize partnership with NIU and make DeKalb a community focal point as a clean and active environment.

“It is a goal to make downtown attract diversity, [be] a destination at breakfast, lunch, dinner, at night and a source of pride for all members of the community,” Fosburgh said within the text of the presentation. “We want to recognize NIU’s importance in the image and identity [of DeKalb].”

Second Ward Alderman Kris Povlsen said based on visits to tourist cities in Wisconsin, an image similar to that in DeKalb would be exceptional as long as its done within budget and provides the city with the most bang for its buck.

“All those communities [in Wisconsin] that are tourist attractions are lively, cute, and they look nice,” Povlsen said.

First Ward Alderman Andy Small felt the city should also include certain “no-man’s land” sections that are without ownership and tend to be a site where trash collects. He also said improving code enforcement for this plan would be great because of the impact its had with the Greek Row Revitalization Project.

“This plan is conservative enough that it is doable,” Community Development Director Paul Rasmussen said.

Fourth Ward Alderman Michael Knowlton, who favors looking at improvements for the East Lincoln Highway corridor to the city as a means of attracting tourists, summed up the perception that DeKalb could gain if these improvements are successful.

“You’ve got to have the perception when you come into this city that it is a grand city,” Knowlton said.

A second consideration discussed was the DeKalb Neighborhood Advisory Task Force to create a citywide neighborhood organization that would be an umbrella organization for neighborhood associations. If approved, a Steering Committee would be sought after that would be used to develop a working plan and manage the organizational process of the Citywide Neighborhood Organization.

“I support it 150 percent,” said 5th Ward Alderman Patrick Conboy. “Politics are ultimately local and the neighborhood is where it all begins.”

Povlsen also fully supported the plan because of its potential.

“To start from the bottom up is good,” Povlsen said. “This is a tremendous start [and] it does change neighborhoods.”

Small felt that the impact of the Greek Row Task Force is a great standard for other neighborhoods to follow.

Linda Wiggins, director of administrative services, presented financial projections for the year 2004 and how the city could use allocated TIFF funds for improvements to the city.

She asked all aldermen to compile their improvement wish lists and ultimately at a later time “duke it out” over what’s the most important. Looking at the schools would also be an option with the TIFF funds, Wiggins said.

Wiggins emphasized the need for projects that would be completed within the time frame TIFF funds are available.

“We have dollars but what we don’t have a lot of anymore is time,” Wiggins said.