North Main Street, Downtown Mansfield
Preservation Ohio File Photo

Officials in Mansfield recently announced updates on ambitious plans to revitalize downtown and its surrounding area, and also the "Miracle Mile," a 50-year-old stretch of commercial activity on Park Avenue West.

A key component of Mansfield's plans calls for the building of new homes geared for middle-class families in the "Chamber District," the residential area immediately north and west of downtown.  Through a partnership of city, non-profit agencies and the Mansfield Alliance, the plan is to attract single-family homeowners into an area which has long since lapsed into decline.  The hope is that the city and non-profit action can lead the way and hopefully attract private investment.

It is an interesting concept for a community which has seen some downtown success with the unique Carrousel District, but where surrounding neighborhoods have so far defied reinvestment activity.

As another important element of its revitalization strategy the Central Park area has been designated as a local historic district, and the centerpiece of the Square, the stately Vasbinder Fountain, is being restored.

Preservation Ohio will be monitoring the progress of this initiative in future editions of MyHometownOhio.  In the meantime, visitors to the Main Street Mansfield website can access the 2006 Mansfield Alliance Strategic Redevelopment Plan Update.  This past Sunday's Mansfield News-Journal also featured a profile of the ambitious neighborhood revitalization program.  Both are great reads.