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<br />Beautification and Conservation ............................................................................ <br /> <br />Chapter 10 <br /> <br />Improvements to Dilapidated Commercial Corridors and Areas <br /> <br />Major corridors such as Fairmont Parkway, Broadway, Spencer Highway, S.H. 225, and S.H. 146 <br />need attention to increase landscaping, reduce signage clutter, remove or rehabilitate unsightly properties, <br />and improve building facades of older structures. <br /> <br />Downtown Revitalization and Utilization <br /> <br />There is great interest in making the downtown a viable commercial area that would attract not only <br />visitors, but residents as well The downtown offers a special environment that could be a strong asset of <br />the community if there is a focus of resources committed to the area. <br /> <br />Barriers to Revitalization <br /> <br />Some of the potential properties for redevelopment are owned by a relatively few owners or trusts. <br />Trusts have fiduciary responsibilities that sometimes limit their ability to sell or donate property. Costs of <br />building renovations and requirements are barriers to someone wanting to locate a business and/or <br />residence. <br /> <br />BEAUTIFICATION GUIDELINES <br /> <br />Urban design is a combination of appearance and function; how the City looks and feels to <br />residents and visitors and how neighborhoods and other areas are linked together. Urban design is a <br />mechanism to create a sense of community, an identity that is unique to La Porte and which defines its <br />image. It requires collaboration on behalf of residents, elected and appointed officials, busnesses, <br />development community, home associations, Chamber of Commerce, economic development agency, civic <br />organizations, and other key stakeholders in the community. When done well, an urban design program is <br />an asset to the community, which enhances its identity, improves its competitive position for development <br />and redevelopment, and genuinely enhances the sense of community, quality of life, and livability of the <br />community. Reasons for the community to invest in beautification through urban design are as follows: <br /> <br />?? Desirable place to live;