Reimagine wants artsy, lively downtown

Downtown Elyria residents and business owners convened June 12 a second meeting of Reimagine Downtown at Oven 51 Pizza Bistro & Gamery to discuss what they want to see in that part of the city and learn of the resources to make it possible.

Ward 5 Councilman Marcus Madison, who hosted the meeting, had residents and business owners share what they loved most about downtown.

Some said they enjoy a lively downtown, the flowers and art that decorate Ely Square, the comfort and history it offers.

Madison shared what was discussed in the first meeting two weeks ago.

On large papers throughout Oven 51, guests wrote ideas on how to better connect as a group and community for growth in downtown.

Madison then paired guests in different groups to brainstorm ideas of what can be done to have a better downtown Elyria.

Some made suggestions for downtown such as a city-wide Wi-Fi, an ice cream shop, a theater with screened or live performances, yoga in the park and a day where shoppers dedicate a day to shopping in downtown stores.

Guests then discussed community organizations that could help influence the downtown goals.

Madison said getting residents and business owners engaged to share their ideas is a way to inform them of how to be part of a change.

The group is working together

to create an initiative called Downtown Ambassadors, he said.

Downtown Ambassadors can help revitalize the area and create a platform where Elyrians can connect, Madison said.

Mary Bryan of Invest Elyria said guests in attendance have doubled since the first meeting of Reimagine Downtown.

“We’re trying to show people how to get involved,” Bryan said. “We want to share the resources people can use for those who don’t know how to get involved.”

Nancy Baldauf of Elyria is a resident and board member of Elyria Public Library Foundation.

Baldauf attended the meeting and said the effort is exciting and necessary.

“People want to do things, but they don’t know who else wants to do the same things,” she said. “It takes a group of people to make something happen. If the people can’t find each other, it’s not going to happen.”

Baldauf said she has never heard of a similar effort in the city.

Sean Beckwith, 21, of Elyria, said he got involved with the group to focus on downtown.

“If we can get this going, we can get the rest of the city going,” Beckwith said.

He said holds a nostalgic sentiment to Elyria after learning about what the city used to be.

“It would be a dream to get that stuff back,” Beckwith said. “Elyria is a hardworking city, and we can definitely make the progress if we want to make it.”

The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. June 26 at Oven 51 Pizza Bistro & Gamery.

BRIANA CONTRERAS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Christa Battle of Elyria writes down ideas brainstormed by her group during a Reimagine Downtown meeting June 12 at Oven 51 Pizza Bistro & Gamery.

BRIANA CONTRERAS — THE MORNING JOURNAL Residents and business owners of Elyria met for the second time June 12 to discuss and learn how to make the downtown area grow as a group at a Reimagine Downtown meeting at Oven 51 Pizza Bistro & Gamery.