Operating a Commercial Revitalization Program with

the Main Street Approach

Understanding Main Street

What happened to Main Street?

Vehicle-

aholics

Then Came

The “Four” Points of the Main Street Approach

Design

Organization

Promotion

Economic Restructuring

Safety & Cleanliness

Urban Neighborhood Issues

Multi-cultural issues

More Image problems- Real and Perceived

Fewer local volunteers

Neighborhood Main Street Initiative

Results of Demonstration

$31 million in public and private investment

200 net new businesses

835 new jobs

Improved Perceptions

Sense of Pride and Place

Why Main Street WorksThe 8 Guiding Principles

Comprehensive

Incremental

Self-Help

Partnerships

Assets

Quality

Change

Implementation

Stakeholders

Business Owners/ Merchant OrgsProperty ownersResidentsConsumersCity StaffOther Public AgenciesNon-Profit OrgsCivic Orgs

ProfessionalsBankersEcon Dvlpmt organizationsSchoolsMediaChamber of CommerceArtistsOther

Main Street Approach

Organization

Four Point ApproachDESIGN

Coordinate efforts to improve the physical appearance of individual businesses and the Main Street area as a whole

Public Improvements– Streetscape Improvements – Cultural Arts Banners – Park improvements – Bus Shelters, etc.

Historic Preservation– Building Restoration– Historic Markers

Façade Improvements– Matching Grants– Design Assistance

Four Point ApproachFour Point Approach

DesignDesignFaçade Improvements

Wrong message

Beautification Projects

• Public Art• Involve

community

Community Buy-In

Maintenance Plan

Neighborhood Context

Historic context

Main Street Approach

Safety and Cleanliness

Enhance the Public Safety and Cleanliness of the Main Street area

Safety – Constructive

relationship with Police & with service agencies

Cleanliness– Youth Ambassadors – Clean-up Events– Improved Trash Cans

Education

Safety and Cleanliness

Main Street Approach

Promotion

Image Enhancement– Business Directory– Signs and Banners

Retail Events– Sidewalk Sales– A Taste of ………

Special Events– Cultural Festivals

Market the commercial district creating an identity that residents are proud of and that helps local businesses succeed

Special Events

Dia de los MuertosFruitvale Festival

Main Street Approach

Economic Restructuring

Market Analysis– Community Market

Strategy– Customer Surveys, etc.

Business Assistance– Group Workshops– One-on-one business

assistance

Business Attraction– Outreach Program– Space Locator Service

Strengthen and broaden the economic base of the neighborhood commercial district

Niche Opportunities & Constraints

• Business/Property owner education

•Seminars•One-on-one’s•Other types of Communication

Four Point ApproachFour Point Approach

Economic Restructuring Economic Restructuring

Urban Success Factors

FundingUnified organizationDedicated, pro-active ManagerProgram acts as a “Bridge”Action Plan –Tangible accomplishments