Published: November 24, 2007 01:20 am      

Getting down to business on Eastern Boulevard

While planning for the revamped road is already under way on Eastern Boulevard, some people are pondering what will become of the business climate there.

The road has some vacant buildings and busted properties, said Rick Dickman, Clarksville’s redevelopment director. Others spots have become a revolving door for businesses, where new businesses fail as quickly as they come in.

The goal is to make the street pedestrian-friendly and bring in small, mom-and-pop style retail profile similar to that of Bardstown Road in Louisville.

“We want to make it a little greener, a little slower and a lot newer,” Dickman said in an interview. In doing that, he believes the town should act as a redeveloper, which could entail everything from enticing property owners to clean up to helping attract new businesses in empty spots. He even said condemning some of the really blighted buildings might be an option.

“There are some properties on Eastern Boulevard that can’t be fixed up.” He declined to say which buildings he’s referring to specifically.

The town is in the midst of acquiring property in order to widen the road — something that he says is essential to revitalizing the business climate. The plan is to add new lanes, landscaping and sidewalks. The town also is funding the reconstruction of a nearby Little League park, which is expected to add to the street’s ambiance.

The street has about 130 businesses, according to Rosalie Lamping, president of Clarksville Main Street, an organization of business owners in the area.

“I think the people that are here are fine,” she said. “I don’t want to see anybody go.”

She noted that there were a number of professionals, such as attorneys, accountants, dentists and doctors with offices along Eastern. Lamping said there are still some vacancies that need to be filled.

She suggested niche businesses such as photography studios or yarn shops to fill the voids, but also places where people can congregate, such as a cafeteria.

Dickman believes it will take five to 10 years for the road to completely develop from a business standpoint.