Before your town builds something new, take a close look at what you already have — even if it seems on the surface like you don't have anything.

Four years ago, Luke Dyer became town manager of Van Buren, Maine. He described the town as being in a “really desperate state.” A 2008 flood had wiped out buildings and destroyed the bridge that once brought people to the downtown. The replacement bridge was built elsewhere, and downtown businesses disappeared along with it.

“You can take a magic marker and scratch off every business in our town,” Luke said. “They all disappeared.”

It seemed like Van Buren had nothing, but Luke looked closer. He realized that the vacant buildings, underused spaces, and empty lots were actually opportunities. So he got to work.

Bringing People Back to the Downtown

While Van Buren needed to bring businesses back to its downtown, Luke didn't immediately jump to trying to revitalize empty buildings. Instead, he started with projects that brought residents back to the area and strengthened relationships within the community.

One of these projects focused on a park where an outdoor ice skating rink sat empty for nine months of the year. Luke pulled together a group of volunteers and public works staff, and they painted pickleball courts so the space could be used during the warmer months.

With the help of some volunteer coaches, the courts became a popular gathering space for the town, helping people form new relationships and increasing resident interest in the town's rec department. Within a month, Luke raised $18,000 to renovate the recreation department, and some of the volunteers formed an organization that continues to help revitalize the downtown.

Van Buren's pickleball courts (Source: Facebook)

The second project focused on a set of empty lots near downtown. With the help of more volunteers, as well as a grant from the state of Maine, Van Buren turned the empty lots into a community garden. Now that land provides fresh produce, further strengthens the social fabric of the community, and even helps with stormwater runoff and flood mitigation.

Van Buren's community garden (Source: Facebook)

Bringing Businesses Back to the Downtown

As momentum and interest in the downtown grew, Luke started looking for opportunities in the vacant buildings the town owned.

One of these buildings was a fully equipped restaurant. Luke offered the space to a local entrepreneur who was selling kolaches out of her home. She agreed to test the idea with a pop-up shop during the town's annual Christmas parade. After selling 32 dozen kolaches in 25 minutes, she officially moved her business into the restaurant.

The town let her use the space rent-free for two years. During that time, she grew her business and constructed her own storefront — the first new building constructed on Van Buren's main street in 50 years.

Another entrepreneur is now renovating the town-owned restaurant to open their own food business.

Van Buren's restaurant incubator (left) and first new main street building in 50 years. (Source: Facebook)

Start With What You Have

Van Buren didn't have a thriving downtown or a pile of money to spend rebuilding one. But it had people who cared, who could see opportunities where others may only see liabilities, and who were willing to get their hands dirty to build something wonderful with what little they had.

Take another look at the empty buildings, vacant lots and underused public spaces around you. Think about the people, skills and relationships your community already has, too. What's sitting there right now that could become something more?

If you'd like to learn more about how Van Buren made the most of what it had, join Luke Dyer this Thursday at noon CT for a live virtual workshop.

— Mya at Strong Towns

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