DREAM surveys gathered in Poplar Bluff

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Efforts to make downtown Poplar Bluff a more popular destination for area residents and visitors are part of the planning process for the DREAM program.

The downtown revitalization initiative, started in 2006 by Gov. Matt Blunt, includes Poplar Bluff among 10 cities designated as DREAM communities during 2007.

"We have received 65 visitor surveys. Our goal is 200," said assistant city manager/ city planner Byron Smith, who serves as chairman of the Poplar Bluff DREAM steering committee.

Visitor surveys about downtown Poplar Bluff have been circulated at Rodgers Theatre, Black River Coliseum, Moark Regional Railroad Museum and during the Black River Festival. The surveys are for anyone living outside the Poplar Bluff ZIP code. These surveys will be available during downtown events until the goal set by the PGAV consultants is met.

A phone survey with a goal to get 400 responses from Poplar Bluff residents about downtown will start soon. Copies of the draft survey were given to DREAM steering committee members. The questions were developed by the consultants.

Smith also reported on the Sept. 30 destination assessment meeting with the consultants and a state tourism official.

Representatives were present from Poplar Bluff hotels, museums and Rodgers Theatre.

During the meeting, the goal of developing more tourism information for hotel guests and the possibility of forming a Convention and Visitors Bureau were discussed.

The topics will be discussed again during the next meeting of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce tourism committee meeting at 9 a.m. Oct. 23 at the chamber.

The consultants will present building and streetscape design guidelines during the next meeting of the Poplar Bluff Historical Preservation Commission at 5 p.m. Wednesday in city hall.