RHINELANDER - Getting people downtown more often tops the priority list for Downtown Rhinelander Incorporated.

The group surveyed business owners to find out what they would work on.

At the top of their list: Updating streetscapes and facades, and creating a signature event.

It all revolves around people coming downtown and staying there.

DRI's Maggie Steffen says business owners are starting to improve appearances.

"It's just like if you're trying to sell your home," Steffen said.

"You're trying to have the best foot forward to make it look enticing and make it look like you're innovative and moving forward. I think that's something that the businesses downtown need to do. They have, a lot of them have stepped up, and there's a few more that need to do so."

The group is putting together plans to redesign downtown.

That could include wider sidewalks to encourage outdoor seating.

Those plans would coincide with the city's upcoming utility work.

"We're working on getting a planning grant that gets submitted by the city," Steffen said.

"We're the ones instrumenting that move. That will also help us determine what we're going to do. It's a perfect opportunity, it may seem like a negative at the time but it's a perfect opportunity to totally revamp and get the city up to the next level. It's something brand-spanking new."

Story By: Matt Doyle