Main Street 101:The fundamentals of Main Street Hanford and the National Main Street Center

Main Street is a national movement that has spanned three decades and taken root in more than 2,000 communities - a movement that has spurred $56 billion in reinvestment in traditional commercial districts, galvanized thousands of volunteers, and changed the way governments, planners, and developers view preservation.

Over the past 34 years, the National Main Street Center has overseen the development of a national network of 46 coordinating programs. These programs help cities, towns, and villages revitalize their downtown and neighborhood business districts.

The California coordinating Main Street Program is established within the Office of Historic Preservation and has formed a partnership with the non-profit California Main Street Alliance to keep the program active by providing vital communication and training programs.

Mission StatementMain Street Hanford is the leader and coordinator for

the continued revitalization of downtown Hanford. We use the Four Points of the Main Street Approach:

Organization, Economic Restructuring, Design, and Promotion.

We value communication with our members and our community, we encourage a healthy business climate,

and we strive to preserve our historic resources.

Vision StatementDowntown Hanford is a thriving district, with small town charm.

Interesting shops and exciting restaurants fill the proudly restored historic buildings.

People of all ages come downtown to meet friends and to enjoy the wide variety of activities.

Main Street Hanford is a certified program.

A certified local Main Street program must meet stringent criteria set forth by National Main Street as well as complete an application and pass an on-site assessment conducted by the state program. National Main Street does not provide funding; the program provides training; information, research, and referral services, and technical assistance.

The Four Points

The Main Street Four Point Approach is the foundation for Main Street Hanford to revitalize our Business Improvement District by leveraging local assets—from cultural or architectural heritage to local enterprises and community pride.

The four points of the Main Street approach work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort.

The Eight Principles

The National Main Street Center's experience in helping communities bring their commercial corridors back to life has shown time and time again that the Main Street Four-Point Approach succeeds. That success is guided by the following eight principles, which set the Main Street methodology apart from other redevelopment strategies. For a Main Street program to be successful, it must whole-heartedly embrace the following time-tested Eight Principles.

1. ComprehensiveNo single focus — lavish public improvements, name-brand business recruitment, or endless promotional events — can revitalize Main Street. For successful, sustainable, long-term revitalization, a comprehensive approach, including activity in each of Main Street's Four Points, is essential.

2. IncrementalBaby steps come before walking. Successful revitalization programs begin with basic, simple activities that demonstrate that "new things are happening " in the commercial district. As public confidence in the Main Street district grows and participants' understanding of the revitalization process becomes more sophisticated, Main Street is able to tackle increasingly complex problems and more ambitious projects. This incremental change leads to much longer-lasting and dramatic positive change in the Main Street area.

3. Self-helpNo one else will save your Main Street. Local leaders must have the will and desire to mobilize local resources and talent. That means convincing residents and business owners of the rewards they'll reap by investing time and money in Main Street — the heart of their community. Only local leadership can produce long-term success by fostering and demonstrating community involvement and commitment to the revitalization effort.

4. PartnershipsBoth the public and private sectors have a vital interest in the district and must work together to achieve common goals of Main Street's revitalization. Each sector has a role to play and each must understand the other's strengths and limitations in order to forge an effective partnership.

5. Identifying and capitalizing on existing assets

Business districts must capitalize on the assets that make them unique. Every district has unique qualities like distinctive buildings and human scale that give people a sense of belonging. These local assets must serve as the foundation for all aspects of the revitalization program.

6. Quality Emphasize quality in every aspect of the revitalization program. This applies to all elements of the process — from storefront designs to promotional campaigns to educational programs. Shoestring budgets and "cut and paste" efforts reinforce a negative image of the commercial district. Instead, concentrate on quality projects over quantity.

7. ChangeSkeptics turn into believers and attitudes on Main Street will turn around. At first, almost no one believes Main Street can really turn around. Changes in attitude and practice are slow but definite — public support for change will build as the Main Street program grows and consistently meets its goals. Change also means engaging in better business practices, altering ways of thinking, and improving the physical appearance of the commercial district. A carefully planned Main Street program will help shift public perceptions and practices to support and sustain the revitalization process.

8. ImplementationTo succeed, Main Street must show visible results that can only come from completing projects. Frequent, visible changes are a reminder that the revitalization effort is under way and succeeding. Small projects at the beginning of the program pave the way for larger ones as the revitalization effort matures, and that constant revitalization activity creates confidence in the Main Street program and ever-greater levels of participation.

Main Street Hanford History

On July 1st , 1975 the City Of Hanford created the “Central Parking and Improvement Area.”

Hanford created a district that would forever ensure a prosperous and vibrant downtown Hanford.

Businesses within this district voted to pay a doubled business license fee to help finance revitalization of the downtown area.

On March 2, 1976, the “Hanford Improvement Association” was incorporated as an independent Non Profit Organization

charged with distributing funds of the City of Hanford’s “Central Parking and Business Improvement District”.

The City agreed to give back all of the business license monies collected from the Business Improvement District (BID) by the city to the Hanford Improvement Association.

Streetscape Improvements

Sign Ordinance Adopted

On June 2, 1980 The City of Hanford created the downtown Historic District.

Hanford won “Best in the State” against five finalists for the League of California Cities Award of Excellence:

Arcata, Berkeley, Redwood City, Santa Fe Springs.

1985 Street Party celebrating the

League of California Cities

“Helen Putnam Award of Excellence.”

Main Street Hanford was formed in 2000 as a way to partner with the City of Hanford to help implement Hanford’s 2010 plan and ensure downtown’s enduring prosperity well into the future. The Hanford Improvement Association dissolved. Main Street Hanford became a certified Main Street community in 2003.

The Main Street Hanford is governed by a board of 7 directors. The Executive Director is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Program’s policies and projects.

Organization establishes consensus and cooperation by building partnerships among the various groups that have a stake in the commercial district. By getting everyone working toward the same goal, Main Street Hanford provides effective, ongoing management and advocacy for downtown Hanford’s Business Improvement District.

Economic Restructuring strengthens downtown Hanford’s existing economic base while also expanding and diversifying it. By helping existing businesses expand and recruiting new businesses to respond to today’s market, our Main Street program helps convert unused spaces into productive properties and sharpens the competitiveness of business enterprises.

Promotion takes many forms, but the goal is to create a positive image that will rekindle community pride and improve consumer and investor confidence in Downtown Hanford. Advertising, retail promotions, special events, and marketing campaigns help sell the image and promise of Main Street to the community and surrounding region.

Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape and creating a safe, inviting environment. It takes advantage of the visual opportunities inherent in downtown Hanford by directing attention to all of its physical elements: public and private buildings, storefronts, signs, public spaces, parking areas, street furniture, public art, landscaping, merchandising, window displays, and promotional materials.

“Both the public and private sectors have a vital interest in the district and must work together to achieve common goals of downtown Hanford’s revitalization. Each sector has a role to play and each must understand the other's strengths and limitations in order to forge an effective partnership.” National Main Street Center