assess 13 sites throughout the City, including two vacant downtown properties,” she says. The grant not only addressed environmental concerns but also facilitated planning for redevelopment. Concepts include storefront retail at the street level with housing units above and blending commerce and living spaces to boost activity downtown. Both of those downtown properties have now been sold to private developers. An additional opportunity lies in the former county courthouse site, which sits vacant and ready for reinvention. Scott says initial feedback from the Distillery, which blends modern craft production with Craig’s historical charm.“They’re going to utilize some of our more historical aspects for the distillery and tie that into their products, which is really cool,” she shares. INVESTING IN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY Craig’s economic revitalization efforts are as much about preserving its community spirit as they are about creating space for new ideas. Scott describes how Craig is reimagining its downtown with a nod to modern urban trends. “In 2021, we were awarded a Brownfields grant, which allowed us to 82 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 02
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