Our “30 Stories for 30 Years” interview series continues! We’ve been featuring former Ottawa Visitors Center Board members, and others who have been along for the ride. We’re reflecting on three decades of tourism and considering what the future may hold. Join us, as we look back on local tourism’s evolution, some Ottawa Visitors Center history, and a special guest’s unique perspectives.

Our special guest this entry is former Mayor Bob Eschbach. Those who were around during the time, will know that Mayor Eschbach was one of the driving forces in the downtown revitalization projects. He got us started with a recap of the time and an overview of where we’re at now.

“So I was mayor beginning in 1999 for 20 years, but before that I was on the Visitor Center as a board member for many years. I don’t remember how many, but in looking back, it’s kind of interesting because at the time the challenge was… Not only promoting the city, but not overpromising because we didn’t have a lot of what we have today. We didn’t have all of the dining options, which are, there’s nothing like it within 50 miles. It’s just pretty amazing. And we didn’t have the kind of revived, beautified downtown. And we actually worked with a company out of Seattle trying to establish how it was a destination. And we came up with the theme of gardening and horticulture. It’s something that everybody could relate to. You might have heard me say out there just this morning, just a few hours ago, I was at the HiWay restaurant, and somebody stopped me and said, ‘Yeah, the town is beautiful.’”

“And I said, ‘Oh, it’s spring, you know, and the trees are blooming. They weren’t there before, but they are now, and they just bloom on their own, and the plants and the bushes are budding, and it made a difference.’ And all these things are incremental. One thing leads to another. We started beautifying the downtown with streetlights and so forth, and we went from 60% empty buildings to less and less and less. And then a few new stores have started, and then we started some planning and beds, and it just kind of took off. And now, if anybody doubts that we’re not a destination, they just need to walk downtown on a Friday or Saturday evening. I mean, it’s just absolutely amazing how many options there are and how many businesses are full, and particularly on the evenings at restaurants,” Eschbach said.

“And then I would add, I think the main attraction for Ottawa is that you could have a walkable, engaging experience. And we have everything. We have the history. I don’t know the history, but the historic architecture that goes with it in Washington Square and most of the downtown. We have, as I said, the dining. We have a great variety of retail. We’ve got recreation. And most recently, we’re really trying to develop Ottawa’s arts and cultural center. As you know, the Ottawa Center for the Arts has acquired two historic churches, repurposed them as concert halls, and not only concerts, but a venue for many other types of events. And that organization is attracting weekend crowds from all over. And I’ve got some involvement there, but almost everybody who comes… from out-of-the-area, comments about Ottawa.”

They’re right there in the middle of it on Washington Square, so they get a pretty good up-front impression. And we also got to be pretty proud of all of the awards the Visitor Center’s done. I mean, they’ve done a good job. The fact that we’re sitting in this office right on the LaSalle Street says a lot. Oh, and I’m looking at the screen, and we have a riverboat. There’s some great plans. I’m not too involved anymore, but there’s some great plans for waterfront developments,” he said.

We’ve been discussing this lengthy process for quite some time now, so it’s great to hear it from this viewpoint! It truly puts into perspective just how far Ottawa has come. Not only that, but we’re actively seeing developments in things all the time – like the buildings for the Ottawa Center for the Arts, or the upcoming plans for the riverfront. Things are always changing in an adaptable town like Ottawa. To further explore this topic, we asked Eschbach what tourism, in relation to the city of Ottawa means to him.

“Well, first of all… All the things we have that attract tourists are also things that our local citizens can enjoy. And I think they’re doing that more and more. It’s not just visitors you see on the streets and the restaurants. You see our local people enjoying these walkable experiences, downtown, the riverfront, the river walk, all those things. So I think it’s just tourism also is a quality of life thing for the people who live here,” Eschbach explained.

“And then secondly, I’d say that not only do visitors have an enjoyable experience here, but they often get to like the town and start to think maybe this might be a place to live. And many of the people who’ve moved here from other places, first became familiar with Ottawa because they came here on a weekend venture, or maybe even just a Saturday venture from the suburbs or wherever. And sometimes that doesn’t kick in for 20 years. Maybe when they retire, for example, they say, ‘That Ottawa was a pretty cool place.’ So that promotes the economic development of the town. And then just like that, sometimes businesses end up here. Because maybe they’ve got a business somewhere else and they want to expand and they think this is a good opportunity.”

“What really impresses me is, you know, when we first started all this, we had to beg people to come downtown. We had to beg people to fix up their buildings or buy buildings. And now they’re being bought and sold like crazy. The new owners are spending a lot of money rehabbing, particularly on second floors. These are second floors, some of them have been empty for 40 or 50 years. And all of a sudden, there’s Airbnbs or short and long-term rentals. And it always was the goal to have people living in or near downtown, which creates activity in the evening, helps support the local businesses,” he said.

“And I think… Especially young people, they have different ideas now about living space. Not everybody’s interested in a house with a big lawn. They’re more interested in experiences which you have a host of in the downtown area. And I shouldn’t shortchange the rest of the town too. We have great restaurants on the periphery and those are also attractions. It’s not just fine dining, it’s all kinds of dining. Sometimes that’s what visitors look for. They look for that hole in the wall place that’s been there forever.”

Visitors might have a wide range of interests that motivate them to come visit. Whatever the case is, Ottawa’s cozy, picturesque downtown is certainly a huge plus. It serves as a charming backdrop to any trip in town. We explored more of the work that had been put into the revitalization process, as we discuss how tourism evolved because of the projects.

“It’s apparent that the effect has been substantial. You just have to open your eyes. And also remember how it was 20 years ago, 25 years ago. Like I said, at one point, about 60% of our storefronts were empty. That’s not the case anymore… I think everybody primarily judges the city by its downtown. When you say, I want to visit a new city, you’re usually talking about going to the downtown. Not the only thing, but that’s a central thing that you identify with. And I think when people think about Ottawa now, particularly in terms of visiting, they’re thinking the downtown. Downtown and the rivers and whatever, but the downtown is a big part of it.

“And I know on weekends when you go to local restaurants, you can just tell. There’s a lot of visitors who are, by the way, having a good time. They’re appreciating the quality, I think, and the setting. Julie had a lot to do with it. She was really a good director. We’ve had good people here all along,” Eschbach said.

It’s no question the downtown’s revitalization has been such a draw. It’s not uncommon for visitors to ask about all there is to see. As we’ve seen, Ottawa events and attractions work together hand-in-hand with the downtown to attract tourists. The great work done throughout the years has led to an exciting combination of all three we can experience. We asked if Eschbach had a favorite from throughout the years, and if he would like to see any return.

“My favorite was the music and wine fest that we had, with the big tent and great entertainment, and the vintners from all over Illinois. And there’s been, kind of downscale versions of that since, but back then it was really a highlight. And I actually, it’s kind of funny because I got to know people from the city and suburbs because I would walk around and start talking to people. I’m saying, ‘Oh, I’m the mayor,’ and then the next year, the same people are there. They would call me, ‘Oh, hey, mayor.’ And so it became some of them, maybe three years in a row, I’d say. So it was, again, it was a great event for visitors, but also anybody who lived in town could enjoy it. And if you didn’t drink wine, you could get in for free. There’s been a lot of good events since then, and I think we just have to keep evolving. New people have new ideas, and new times bring new ideas.

Ottawa’s Wine Fest was a local and tourist favorite alike. Ottawa is an ever-evolving town, so the possibilities for upcoming events are almost endless. 30 years in the Middle of Everywhere are just beginning. To close out our interview, we asked if Bob had any closing thoughts to share on the future of tourism in Ottawa.

“Well, I think I’m pretty optimistic. What we had hoped for, is happening. And I don’t see any reason why it would decline. It’s a beautiful place. And usually, the longer you’re at destination, word spreads, particularly word of mouth. And visitors tell me it’s just a pleasant experience. It’s close enough to suburbia, but far enough away that it’s an adventure, but easily obtainable. Something you can do for a day or a weekend or whatever your time allows. And then I’m also excited about some of the newer things, like I said, that making it out of an arts and cultural center through the Auto Center for the Arts. And I can’t remember how many, but they’ve had like 50 performances already since it’s been formed. Almost weekly, or just a couple things a week. One more thing to do.”

Many thanks to Bob Eschbach!

Stay tuned as we continue to reminisce on 30 years in the Middle of Everywhere! You can find updates on our Facebook or on the rest of our blog.