Updated August 31, 2018

Community input during a visit this week from a Main Street Alabama cited a lack of evening entertainment and parking, vacant buildings and lack of diversity and appeal to all groups as the top challenges for downtown Athens.

Those findings were part of a presentation Wednesday night from the Main Street Alabama Refresh team at the end of its three-day visit here, which included a community “visioning” session Wednesday night that attracted about 120 people.

Participants in Wednesday’s session also came to a consensus on a list of strengths of downtown Athens, the physical appearance of Limestone County Courthouse and square, its location close to surrounding cities and Interstate 65, the small-town atmosphere and local merchants.

When the participants in the Tuesday session were asked what goods and services they expect to see downtown in five years, the top responses were greater restaurant variety, loft living, a brewery and more “after 5” entertainment.

An entertainment district, outdoor music venue and movie nights on the courthouse square were the top responses for downtown attractions that the session’s participants expect to see in five years, a wish list for downtown Athens calls for loft apartments and more parking, restaurants and entertainment.

Of those responding to the survey, 68 percent said the downtown area is improving or making progress, 12 percent said downtown is declining or losing ground and 20 percent said the area is steady or holding its own.