A group of business leaders and concerned citizens met last week to discuss plans for downtown revitalization.

Approximately 40 people, ranging from bank presidents to concerned citizens and everyone in between were on hand for the workshop, held at the Sally Wells building at the Macon County Fairgrounds.

The event was hosted by Macon County Revitalization, Inc., and facilitated by Bud Bishop, who was instrumental in the revitalization of Livington's downtown in Tennessee.

According to Pete Williston, vice president of Macon County Revitalization and CEO of Citizen's Bank, the effort began a couple years ago when a group of interested people went to Livingston to tour the square and meet with various officials. The group then also visited Springfield.

Their efforts led to the formation of Macon Revitalization and the workshop.

Bishop led the workshop by talking about the revitalization effort in Livingston, an effort that has been ongoing for about 10 years, and continues today. He also fielded many questions from the audience before getting down to the business of discussing ideas.

Carolyn Whitaker spoke of increasing the property values on the square. To that end Radford West, President of Macon Bank and Trust, addressed the vacancies on the square.

"Parking is why some left," West said. "Another reason is a large retailer came to town. Some of the owners were ready to retire already."

He did compliment some retailers who have managed to maintain their businesses on the square and was also complimentary of the work Attorney Russell Brown has done to his buildings on the square.

Miles Gibson, president of Macon County Revitalization and co-owner of Gibson's Cafe with his wife, Ginger, spoke of a desire to increase tourism and bring more people to the square.

"I think the traffic pattern is very efficient," Gibson said. "The major thing our square needs is to show drivers there are crosswalks. Make is safer for pedestrians."

After some general conversation along those lines the facilitator divided the 40-odd people into several groups - retail, utilities, parking, traffic, signage, architecture, and plants.

After meeting for about half an hour, each group reconvened and presented a few ideas - action steps - to the audience.

The steps ranged from encouraging retail to upgrade their buildings, slowing traffic down, moving utilities under ground, establish some parking parameters, upgrading the Courthouse and signage, and supporting the Garden Club's beautification efforts.

According to Williston, the next step is to develop a more cogent master plan to begin work on the revitalization of downtown Lafayette.

According to Gibson, the next step is to take the information from the workshop, categorize it and chronicle all comments made, so they can be used in the master plan.

"We were really surprised at the turnout, at how good it was," Gibson said.

Anyone wishing to be a part of Macon County Revitalization may call Miles Gibson at Gibson's Cafe, 666-2224. The group will meet next on October 15 at 6 p.m.