Hermann Downtown Revitalization
CM Archer Group is assisting the City of Hermann, Missouri in planning infrastructure improvements that will enhance the entire community through encouraging revitalization of the downtown area. The City, always supported by many volunteers and private investors, has done an excellent job of sustaining its history, heritage and culture through the preservation of many of its historic buildings and archives, a long-standing commitment to maintaining many of the old world traditions through generations of families and friends.
Today we find Hermann well poised for a bit of a renaissance. Hermann is experiencing a surge of private investment, not only in residential development, but in the retail and industrial sectors as well.
The Hermann Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Committee are the organizations tasked with the responsibility of maintaining an active downtown and overseeing the implementation of a redevelopment strategy. Realizing that the key to a successful project begins with establishing a solid phased plan which builds on the uniqueness of Hermann's history, the Chamber and the City have established what they hope will be a long-term relationship with investors and local merchants. These improvements are a comprehensive effort to improve local facilities through addressing safety concerns, providing greater accessibility and providing a greater capacity for growth.
As is common in almost all original downtown areas, infrastructure is often over 100 years old. As can be expected, needed infrastructure improvements include replacing dilapidated sewer lines and looping water mains while also increasing their size and capacity to provide adequate capacity. A priority of the downtown commission is converting overhead electric lines to underground and rerouting them to an accessible corridor outside of flood plane areas. The area also lacks an adequate stormwater collection and drainage system. Retrofitting a stormwater system will be a challenging endeavor with all of the existing utilities in this corridor.
The recommended improvements are based on the ability to economically provide for current and future needs while maintaining the old-town German atmosphere that Hermann is so well known for. The infrastructure plan allows for phased expansion , while also encouraging and promoting development of adjacent properties.