By Susan Gager
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Downtown Springfield businesses are following in the footsteps of Eugene by looking to liven up their empty storefronts with artwork.
Downtown shop owners hope to attract more visitors, and they say it starts by changing its atmosphere.
"I love the store fronts because of their potential. They're at a people scale. I can look in. Even if there's nobody there, I can imagine what I'd like to see there," said Hanalei Rozen of Springfield.
When the U.S.A. merchants of Main Street in Springfield look at these vacant store fronts, they see potential. What are considered dark spaces by some could be active spaces in a downtown hit by recession.
"It's a wonderful idea because it'll give the artist a chance to exhibit their art, and it'll give people something to look at when they walk by the empty buildings," said Sweety's Owner Betty Koehler.
What they hope to see in the fronts are student art, antiques, and memorabilia from other stores to attract curiosity. They hope to inspire people to stop and take a look at Springfield for shopping in its downtown, not just its malls.
"It's going to say we are family friendly, and it's a good place to come shop," said Springfield Times Advertising Director Frank Clark.
Storefront artwork has resounding approval from downtown business owners. However, property owners of the vacant spaces still need to assess the risk and cost of such a venture.
"Each property owner has got their own unique situation, so we're hoping to deal with them and not everything on the surface as a great idea for everyone out there," said Springfield Community Development Manager John Tamulonis.
In an ideal situation, the property owner chooses the art that goes in, power usage, where it's located, and how long it stays in there. Business owners hope they see the value for the downtown economy's sake.
"So if you have something in the windows, it makes the other businesses look more viable," said Clark.
Business owners say many of those vacancies we saw are actually soon to be filled. Until those spaces are leased, they hope to convince property managers at their next meeting on September 13 to allow the artwork.
