Case Study

Growing a Downtown One Storefront at a Time

Client: City of Delavan, Illinois
Engagement: Downtown Business Development Strategy
Timeline: Summer 2023

The Challenge

Delavan is a small, historic community with strong civic pride and a downtown full of potential. Interest from entrepreneurs and property owners existed, but progress had stalled. Vacancies, deferred maintenance, and the absence of a coordinated business support structure made it difficult to turn interest into action.

The city needed a clear, realistic way to build momentum without overextending staff, volunteers, or financial resources.

The Work

Reader Area Development was engaged to assess downtown conditions, listen to local business voices, and translate opportunity into a practical path forward.

Over a six-week period, the work included:

  • On-the-ground evaluation of building conditions, vacancies, and redevelopment readiness

  • A public kickoff and more than 15 stakeholder meetings with current and prospective business owners

  • Market and demographic analysis to ground decisions in realistic demand

  • Identification of key barriers preventing entrepreneurs from opening or expanding

  • Development of implementable programs aligned with municipal capacity

The focus was not on producing another plan, but on defining small, visible actions that reduce risk and restore confidence.

Download >>> Delavan Business Builders Report 2023

The Results

The engagement delivered a clear downtown business development strategy centered on attraction, retention, expansion, and assistance.

Key outcomes included:

  • A realistic assessment showing roughly one-third of downtown properties needing reinvestment or activation

  • Confirmation that downtown interest existed, but early-stage risk was holding projects back

  • A multi-year framework focused on three priorities: real estate development, small business support, and placemaking

  • A new suite of branded, ready-to-launch programs, including building stabilization grants, downpayment assistance, entrepreneur support, small business loans, and placemaking and events funding

  • A funding roadmap that provides predictability and signals long-term commitment to private investors

Why It Matters

Instead of waiting for a single catalytic project, Delavan now has a repeatable framework for steady downtown progress. Entrepreneurs understand what support exists. Property owners see consistency. City leadership has a clear set of tools to move projects forward incrementally.

Momentum shifted from cautious optimism to informed action, one storefront at a time.

Is your downtown facing similar challenges?
If your community has interest but lacks clarity, structure, or momentum, Reader Area Development can help you identify the next right move.

Let’s talk about what’s possible!

Check your Downtown Momentum Score and book an appointment today.