TThe University of Hartfordannounced that it haspurchased the former

property of the Thomas Cadillacdistributorship on Albany Avenue, inorder to convert the three buildings onthe site into a performing artseducation facility. In accordance withthe University’s mission, the siteexpands the institution’s presence inNorth Hartford, providing a majornew focus for the University’s effortsin this part of the city. The Thomassite is a highly visible gateway to theAvenue and the city of Hartford andhas the potential to significantlyenhance the Upper Albany area,which through Upper Albany MainStreet has already begun revitalization efforts.

The University’s first goal in redeveloping the site is to addressthe critical space needs for its renowned Hartt School, aperforming arts conservatory that was founded in 1920 byJulius Hartt & Moshe Paranov and which houses severaldivisions: Instrumental, Vocal, Music Education, Academic,Dance, Theatre and the Community Division. The Hartt Schoolhas grown from a college student body of approximately 250and a Community Division of 1,000 in 1962 to today’s enroll-

ment of approximately 700 higher education students and 140full and part-time faculty, as well as 2,400 Community Divisionstudents with 160 faculty.

The 7.2 acres of land and 71,000 square feet of space at theThomas Cadillac site offers the University an opportunity torelieve the space crunch at its on-campus facility, as well asallowing it to consolidate programs for which it is now rentingspace at various sites.

The Quarterly Newsletter of Connecticut Main Street Center Vol. 3, No. 1 Fall 2002

New GatewaNew Gateway to Uppey to Upper Albar AlbannyyUniversity of Hartford Plans Performing Arts Center

continued on page 7

continued on page 6

Westbourne Parkway Entrance

CMSC 20CMSC 2002 Ann02 Annual Meual Meetetinging““TThe Phe Poowewer or of Place”f Place”

WWith an inspirational welcome from First TownDowntown president Jim Martin, Connecticut Main Street Center’s 2002 Annual Meeting and

“Welcome to Main Street” Reception was underway in historicWindsor Center. Hosted by Windsor’s five-year old Main Streetprogram, First Town Downtown, the CMSC annual event was

held at Aglow Auction Services, a building that stands as oneof Windsor Center’s proudest accomplishments, brought backto life and contributing to the vitality of the downtown. FTDTpresident Martin expressed his thanks to CMSC directors, staffand supporters for giving his community “the blueprint and thesupport for making our vision a reality”. He spoke with passionof the moment he was personally introduced to the comprehen-sive approach through a CMSC tech visit, where he met aconsultant from Iowa with whom he shared similar values and“made me understand how important a vibrant center is to

CT’s Main Streets

NiaNiantntiic nc naammeed newesd newest t ConneConnectctiicut Main Strcut Main Streeet Coet Communimmunittyy

2

OOn a beautiful June day, in a fitting location at the centerof Main Street, Niantic Main Street announced theiracceptance as a designated Connecticut Main Street

Community. The Niantic Cinema was the scene of an enthusi-astic press conference that featured Lieutenant Governor M.Jodi Rell, State Senator Melodie Peters, State RepresentativeGary Orefice, East Lyme First Selectman Wayne Frazier andrepresentatives from the Connecticut Historical Commission,Connecticut Light and Power Company and the ConnecticutMain Street Center, along with a large crowd of residents,business & property owners, town staff and others.

Lt. Governor Rell, a long-time supporter of the program,emphasized the goals of Main Street - to build on the history ofthe town; to bring new life to what already exists. “Revitalizationmeans to be reborn. You’ve heard the saying, ‘If you build it,they will come.’ Well, if you rebuild it, they will come evenmore,” said Rell. Aware of the demanding process in place toearn entry into the Main Street program, Rell gave a nod to thelocal volunteers by commenting how impressed she was withthe promotion and fundraising work done by Niantic Main Street.

Siting the benefits of the program as seen in New London,Senator Peters noted the importance of this step forward. “Thisis a pivotal moment because it speaks to your strength, yourvision and your wisdom,” said Peters. Representative Oreficecommented on his roots in the town and his personal desire torecapture the Main Street of his youth, “It’s my dream that thisMain Street program will turn Main Street back into what Iremember growing up,” said Orefice.

The seed for Niantic’s revitalization was planted when it wassuggested that the town of East Lyme participate in a 1997 Yale

Urban Design Workshop Charrette. That Charrette reportcreated a vision that inspired the formation of Niantic MainStreet. In her comments, Niantic Main Street President CandyShapiro said, “The Charrette is no longer a dream, but a plannow to be realized.”

CMSC executive director John Simone characterized thisgroup as “passionate, well-organized, energetic, thorough andwell represented. Niantic Main Street has already secured tax-exempt status, established a strong board and committees andincorporated as an organization, “steps usually taken afteracceptance,” stated Simone.

John Shannahan, State Historic Preservation Officer and Chairof CMSC, said the application is not for the faint of heart. Afterworking hard to address areas of concern in the 2001 applica-tion round, Niantic was unanimously accepted into the programthis year by the CMSC selection committee. Shannahan notedthat a successful Main Street program depends on the visionreflecting the many, not just a few. Saying it is a grassrootsprogram, Shannahan said, “Ultimately, it will be the peoplewho determine if it will succeed.” East Lyme First SelectmanWayne Frazier agreed, “With everyone working together as ateam we can make progress.”

Speaking on behalf of CMSC sponsor CL&P, Lisa Bumberashared her excitement at Niantic’s acceptance as a Main StreetCommunity. “I spent a good deal of time in Niantic, when theMain Street program was first discussed. I felt at that time thatthe volunteers in this town had done a good job in setting thetable and planning the first course. Well now, you’re preparingthe main course. Soon you will be ready to invite the guests.”

Conflict of interest is difficult to define; yet many people think theyknow it when they see it. The legal definition of conflict of interest,usually set out in state laws governing nonprofit corporations, isvery specific and covers relatively few situations. Most conflicts fallinto a gray area where ethics and public perception are morerelevant than statutes or precedents.

Conflict of interest arises whenever the personal or professionalinterests of a board member are potentially at odds with the bestinterests of the nonprofit. Such conflicts are common. A boardmember performs professional services for an organization, orproposes that a relative or friend be considered for a staff position.Such transactions are perfectly acceptable if they benefit theorganization and if the board made the decisions in an objectiveand informed manner. Even if they do not meet these standards;such transactions are usually not illegal. They are, however, vulner-

able to legal challenges and public misunderstanding.

Loss of public confidence and a damaged reputation are the mostlikely results of a poorly managed conflict of interest. Becausepublic confidence is important to most nonprofits, boards shouldtake steps to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. These stepsmay include:

• Adopting a conflict-of-interest policy that prohibits or limitsbusiness transactions with board members and requires boardmembers to disclose potential conflicts.

• Disclosing conflicts when they occur so that board members whoare voting on a decision are aware that another member(s)interests are being affected.

• Requiring board members to withdraw from decisions thatpresent a potential conflict.

• Establishing procedures, such as competitive bids, that ensurethat the organization is receiving fair value in the transaction.

What is conflict of interest?

BOARD BASICS Tips for Main Street Boards

3

CT’s Main Streets

FY

I F

ILE Connecticut Main Street Managers

East HartfordMain Street Plus, Inc. 860-282-7577

MiddletownMain Street Middletown, Inc.Terry Concannon860-347-1424middletown.main.st@snet.net

New LondonNew London Main Street Corp.Penny Parsekian860-444-2489ppnlms@snet.netwww.newlondonmainstreet.org

NianticNiantic Main Street860-739-4333gracehats@aol.com

PortlandPortland - P.R.I.D.EElizabeth Swenson860-342-6798ebswenson@aol.comwww.PortlandPride.org

RockvilleThe Rockville Downtown AssociationLuise S. Ernest860-875-7439rdaCT@hotmail.comwww.vernonct.org/rda

SimsburySimsbury Main Street PartnershipSarah Floroski860-651-8577Simmainst@aol.com

Upper Albany (Hartford)Upper Albany Main StreetMarilyn L. Risi860-727-9830risi@mail.hartford.edu

WindsorFirst Town DowntownKatie Breen860-683-8410info@firsttowndowntown.orgwww.firsttowndowntown.org

WinstedFriends of Main StreetMarlene Dougherty860-738-3351friendsmst@snet.net

To visit any Connecticut Main Street Community’s website,go to www.ctmainstreet.org, and follow the links

SSimsbury Main Street Partnership (SMSP) ispleased to announce the appointment of Sarah

Floroski as Executive Director. In her role, Floroskiis responsible for leading the efforts of SMSP inincreasing the social, physical and economic valueof downtown Simsbury. Under the direction of theBoard of Directors, Sarah will coordinate activitiesaimed at supporting and promoting the downtownbusiness district within Simsbury, and will workclosely with local business owners and managersand other community members to foster consensusand support.

“We are happy to welcome Sarah to the Simsbury

Main Street Partnership and are excited about theideas she has for enhancing the vitality of our MainStreet business community,” said Mike Goman,President of SMSP. “Her enthusiasm and talent willsurely help us achieve our goals.”

Sarah joins SMSP from John Casablancas in Berlin, CT, where she has been responsible forpublic relations, marketing, special events andadmissions. Her experience also includes marketingfor Westfarms Mall in Farmington, CT. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University ofConnecticut in Communication Sciences with aconcentration in Public Relations and Mass Media.

MeMeet Our Main Stret Our Main Streeet Pret Prograogram Mam Mannagageersrs

SPOTLIGHT

Connecticut Main Street Center is generously sponsored byThe Connecticut Light and Power Company and the

State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.

Simsbury Main StrSimsbury Main Streeet Paret Par tnetnersrshhipipAppoAppoints Exints Exeecutcutive Dirive Direectorctor

4

CT’s Main Streets

TT here is a major trend indowntown revitalizationthat has taken off all over

the country. It is the rediscovery of the downtown as a place to live.No really successful downtownrevitalization can take place withoutpopulation density. Much has beenwritten about the changes inAmerican culture that caused thedecline of our downtowns. Thedepartment stores that moved to thehighways, the movie theaters thatclosed down, the chain stores that flocked to the malls all contributed to the problemsthat we face today. But as important as these trends were to the decline ofdowntown, the reduction in residentialdensity is an equal contributor. Many of thewonderful old apartment buildings, hotelsand stately homes that once lined the streetsof our downtowns disappeared in the mid-part of the 20th century. Planners and cityofficials contributed to the problem byallowing owners to take off the top floors oftheir buildings or to convert them intooffices. Often older multi-storied buildingswere taken down and replaced by one-storyretail-only buildings with little character anddetail. The total effect of this movement wasto reduce once thriving around the clockdowntowns to poorly planned strip mallcopycats. Thankfully, planners, city officials,and developers of today are realizing theirmistakes and are busily looking for newways to populate downtown.

Who is interested in living downtown?➪ People who work downtown

➪ Well-off singles, empty nesters, DINKs(double income, no kids)

➪ People using public transportation tocommute to work

➪ People who like amenities like museums,theaters, restaurants, walk-to shopping,cinemas, etc.

➪ People who enjoy pedestrian friendlyenvironments

➪ Senior citizens

➪ Artists who are seeking large open spaces with high ceilings, large windows,and an urban feel

Why is more housing Good forDowntown Revitalization?➪ More residents help create a built-in

demand for many retail and entertainmentfunctions. They are also important to theattraction and development of goodrestaurants.

➪ More downtown residents help create amore interesting and safer environmentafter dark.

➪ Downtown residents, in Jane Jacobs’terms, take “possession” of the area theylive in; they help make sure it is properlymaintained and safe.

➪ In many mixed-use projects, it is theresidential component that makes theproject financially viable.

➪ Empty upper stories can be the sources of social and physical problems.

➪ In older buildings, rehabilitated apart-ments can enable a property owner to wait and go after better tenants for streetlevel commercial spaces.

Housing created by converting old factorieshad been a growing trend since the 1970s.There is hardly a major older city in thecountry that has not created a residentialdistrict in old industrial neighborhoods. Theresults have been impressive. From the artand warehouse district in New Orleans toSoho in Manhattan the success stories aregrowing. In smaller communities across the

country the trend is growing as well:• Aiken, SC (30,000) is usingfinancial incentives to attract morehousing downtown. Additionalhousing is a prime engine of thedowntown’s revitalization strategy.

• Downtown artist’s housing hasbeen a key element of revitalizationstrategies in Eureka, CA (27,000)and Peekskill, NY (19,500).

• Asheville, NC (61,000); Bangor,ME (33,000); Burlington, VT

(39,000); and Sheboygen Falls, WI(5,800) have also seen substantial growthin downtown housing.

• Hoboken, NJ (41,000) has seen no fewerthan 18 factory to housing conversionssince it was the first small city in thenation to complete a project in 1976.

National developer Jonathan F.P. Rose wasquoted in Roberta Gratz and NormanMintz’s excellent book Cities: Back from theEdge explaining his housing redevelopmentprojects downtown as “defense duringeconomic swings that affect one part of theeconomy”. Rose explains his theory that itmakes more sense economically to integratehousing into downtown projects rather thantry to fill an entire old building, such as adepartment store, with retail. The introduc-tion of housing into a retail or office locationinsures much higher lifetime occupancyrates. It is much less likely that 10 (ten)separate 1,000 square feet apartments willbecome vacant at any one time as comparedto the possibility of 10,000 square foot retailtenant moving out. In creating housingdowntown we create the density needed tomake downtown viable.

Excerpted from the report: Highest and Best Use Analysisand Conclusions: 33 Mechanics Street, Windsor, CT.

Prepared for Connecticut Main Street Center & First TownDowntown (Windsor, CT) by Peter Beronio, ExecutiveDirector, Englewood (NJ) Economic DevelopmentCorporation. Mr. Beronio has been contracted by CMSCto work with local Main Street programs in East Hartfordand Windsor on redevelopment sites. He providedsuggested use analyses for the sites, along with a processto market these sites to developers

TThe Rehe Redidiscoscovevery Of Try Of The Dhe Doowntowntown As A Place Twn As A Place To Liveo Liveby Peter Beronio

An opportunity at 33 Mechanics Street, Windsor Center

CT’s Main Streets

5

DDowntown revitalization takes on many challenges, fewinitial glories and a host of speculation. Areas that needto be addressed range from creation of a new image,

boosting civic awareness and support, to selection of streetscapeamenities and market repositioning.

Elsewhere, just a few steps off “Main Street” the surroundingneighborhoods often need some problem-solving unique tothemselves. Without healthy surrounding neighborhoods a vitallink of the revitalization process is missing which can support theeconomics and sheer “people-presence” within downtown.

In Rockville, CT a strong and supportive partnership between the 6Street Block Watch and the Main Street Program, administered byThe Rockville Downtown Association, Inc. (RDA), has champi-oned a major obstacle in neighborhood preservation and stabiliza-tion. The result has been a supportive partnership involving publicand private agencies working together towards common sensesolutions for challenging problems.

The 6 Street Block Watch, through its membership, identified thatthe lack of overnight parking was contributing to a destabilizationof rental properties and homeownership. Today’s families dependon vehicles for commuting to the workplace, shopping and recre-ation. Closely built neighborhoods (circa 1870-1900-prior to autotravel) which provide the ring around the Main Street core on threesides sorely needed access for overnight parking.

The Block Watch enlisted the support and partnership of the RDAas it brought this issue to the Town of Vernon for consideration.Attracting the attention and full support of Town AdministratorLaurence Shaffer, the three partners proceeded to plead their caseto the Vernon Traffic Authority. A task force was establishedinvolving the Town Administrator, Police Chief Rossmy, chair ofthe Traffic Commission and David Tomko, Director of Public Works.

Armed with data collected by the 6 Street Block Watch on whereparking problems were most pervasive, the task force identifiedthree streets where overnight parking in designated areas would beeffectual, safe and provide continuation of access for emergencyvehicles. They further developed a set of criteria, guidelines and afull pilot program which was reviewed and endorsed by both the 6Street Block Watch and RDA. This “Overnight Parking-PilotProgram” was then presented to the Vernon Town Council forapproval. Representatives from both the Block Watch and RDAtestified in support of the pilot program. The program received

unanimous support from the Town Council. By resolution, anamendment was made to the town’s parking regulations andspecific criteria was adopted relating to use of overnight areas,adoption of alternate side of the street parking enforcement andclear consequences for non-compliance of the program.

Police Chief Rudolf Rossmy noted, “ I have been in Vernon forover 8 years and serve as chair of the Vernon Traffic Authority.Overnight parking issues have been a voiced concern for a longtime. While we continue to support the need to restrict overnightparking there has been a recognition that certain conditions andcircumstances exist especially in historic areas built prior to theautomobile. Given that, there is a value in offering relief of someparking restrictions in select, well-defined areas. This pilot parkingprogram will serve as a measurement tool to determine the effec-tiveness of a creative, selective overnight parking program. Ifdeemed successful, we may look for other streets within theRockville historic district that may be applicable. Public safety isand always has been the top priority.”

The RDA took the lead in designing informational program flyersfor door-to-door and mailed distribution to tenants, homeowners,landlords/property owners. A doorknob “hang tag” was alsodesigned by the RDA for broader, frequent distribution by bothRDA volunteers and the Vernon Police Department. The Town ofVernon covered the costs for all marketing materials and signageneeded for the program.

To measure effectiveness and success of the pilot program, theVernon Police Department will keep the 6 Street Block Watchinformed of user-ship of the selected overnight parking areas on aquarterly basis throughout the first pilot year. At the end of the year,all the partnering agencies will review the program. Residentswithin the pilot area will be encouraged to provide input through-out the year. If deemed effective the partnering groups have alreadybegun to identify other specific streets for expansion of the program.

This process has brought together a variety of partners who,working for a common goal have produced a worthy pilot programand strengthened the relationships of those working to revitalizethis historic downtown. If you would like a copy of the complete“Rockville Overnight Parking Pilot Program” and marketingmaterials please contact Luise Ernest, Downtown Coordinator at (860)875-7439 or emailto rdact@hotmail.com.

BurgBurgeeoning Paroning Partnetnersrshhips in Rips in Roockvillckville Result in e Result in WWororthy Pilthy Pilot Prot Prograogramm

by Luise Ernest

ATTENTION MAIN STREET COMMUNITIES!Has your town recently been featured in articles in local publications? Please send CMSC a copy! We want toknow how your program is being covered in the media and would love to share this coverage with our readers!

CT’s Main Streets

6

CMSC 2002 ANNUAL MEETING “THE POWER OF PEACE” — continued from page 1

economic well-being of an entire town.”

CMSC Board Chair Jack Shannahancovered the Year in Review, express-ing thanks and recognition to CMSC’smajor funders the Connecticut Lightand Power Company and the state ofConnecticut Department of Economicand Community Development and alsoacknowledged support from UnitedTechnologies Corporation. He alsointroduced each member of the CMSCboard of directors, highlighting theindividual contributions of expertiseand the successful organizationalpartnerships that have developed. Inrecognizing the CMSC staff,Shannahan painted a picture of a verybusy year where the focus has been ondelivering high-quality services to adiverse range of communities andhelping prospective communities understand how to success-fully apply to the program. “Over the past year, CMSC staffhas made 108 on-site visits to current Main Street communi-ties; took advantage of 65 networking and professional devel-opment opportunities; made 26 visits to 16 Connecticut townsto help them assess their readiness to begin a Main Streetprogram. The last two application workshops conducted byCMSC were attended by 78 people from 36 different munici-palities. CMSC staff has worked with 12 different consultantsand 15 partnering organizations in providing technical assis-tance to local Main Street programs,” he said.

Executive Director John Simone echoed praise for the CMSCboard “who bring both a collective enthusiasm and diverseexpertise to the table. Special thanks must go to Board ChairJack Shannahan and his unfailing commitment to this program.He always gives of his time and expertise whenever calledupon,” he stated. Simone then discussed where CMSC isgoing, saying to community representatives “our job is toprovide you with the tools to maximize the potential thatclearly already exists in every town. While our staff has

focused on many initiatives over thepast year, at the core of our work is acommitment to helping our communi-ties develop strategic plans.” Simoneemphasize the need for a managedapproach to the job of breathing new lifeinto downtowns: “While a Main Streetprogram may not be the answer forevery town (although it clearly is themost successful downtown revitalizationprogram throughout the country), it isclear that without a managed and compre-hensive approach no downtown revital-ization initiative can succeed.”

The Connecticut Light and PowerCompany Award for OutstandingContributions to Main Street Revitalizationwas presented to the State of ConnecticutDepartment of Economic and CommunityDevelopment. First presented in 2001,

this award was named for CL&P for single-handedlylaunching and generously supporting the Connecticut MainStreet Center. CL&P Vice President of Customer RelationsRodney O. Powell presented the award to DECD “for gener-ously supporting the Connecticut Main Street Center’sprograms and helping to build the capacity of Connecticut’scommunities to compete economically based on the tradi-tional assets of unique architecture, personal service, localownership and a sense of community.” Deputy CommissionerRita Zangari accepted the award on behalf of DECD.

The final feature of the evening was an unveiling of phaseone of a comprehensive design services program forConnecticut Main Street communities. “Main Street: Past,Present & Future - an introduction to Main Street Design”was presented by Alan J. Plattus, director of the Yale UrbanDesign Workshop (YUDW). CMSC and YUDW havepartnered to develop a comprehensive program to communi-ties utilizing design as both a community organizing andeconomic development tool.

Rod Powell of CL&P presents Award for OutstandingContributions to Main Street Revitalization to DECDDeputy Commissioner Rita Zangari.

AnnAnnouncing a speouncing a special icial issussue oe off MAINMAIN SSTRTREETEETSOLUTIOSOLUTIONSNS

this special issue, to be mailed in early October, will provide complete

program information regardingConnecticut’s First Annual Commercial

District Revitalization ConferenceTuesday, October 29, 2002, Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Cromwell Connecticut

CT’s Main Streets

7

NEW GATEWAY TO UPPER ALBANY — continued from page 1

An independent, comprehensive institution of higher education,offering educational and career programs in 85 undergraduatemajors and 61 graduate programs of study in its nine schoolsand colleges, the University is located at the point whereHartford, Bloomfield and West Hartford intersect and hasworked to build strong partnerships with its neighbors. TheUniversity is committed to increasing and enhancing itsconnection with the North Hartford community. Universitystudents have been working in North Hartford schools formore than a decade, as tutors in the Educational Main Streetprogram, and University faculty and students have assisted avariety of community organizations in projects coordinatedby the University’s Center for Community Service. Inaddition, University faculty and administrators have workedto help launch the Upper Albany Business Training Networkand to help community leaders gain “Connecticut MainStreet” designation for Albany Avenue.

The University of Hartford Performing Arts Center projectwill allow The Hartt School to strengthen its collaborativeefforts with the nearby Artists Collective to develop morecomplementary programs between these two arts institutions

Built in 1929, the original buildings on the site were designedby famed architect Albert Kahn, who is revered for incorpo-rating into his designs the “human element” of natural lightfor the assembly worker in industrial settings. Originally afinal assembly plant for GM at points of delivery, the sitelater became a dealership. The Thomas family, which boughtthe business in 1978 and moved its dealership to the NorthMeadows in 1995, is delighted with the University’s plans.

Architect Michael Howard, AIA, NCARB, of the firmHoward-Montgomery-Steger in New Orleans, La., hasprovided schematic drawings to the University. Calling this“a very special client and community,” Howard discussedwhat the site has going for it: masonry, sloping roof-lines,exposed steel truss-work, natural light and good naturalacoustics. He continues: “What is being proposed isstudios, rehearsal space, experimental theater - the ‘businessside of the performing arts.’We are not turning the

site into something it is not - it is a perfect fit!” He considersthis to be an unbelievable opportunity - the ability to preservehistoric assets, coupled with the revitalization of the UpperAlbany neighborhood. The special challenge is turning thissite into what the University wants but, at the same time,embracing the community - how the facility reaches out to thecommunity,” Howard said. The new location of the HarttSchool will combine performance education with retail space.A coffee shop and a bank branch are among the elementsbeing discussed in the planning of this facility.

Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez has stated that this projectcould be become a catalyst to revitalize business and culturalactivities in the neighborhoods near the site. University ofHartford President Water Harrison, who has built ties withNorth Hartford neighborhood leaders and pushed hard toenlist community support for the arts center, has drawn praisefrom several civic leaders, including Dollie McLean, executivedirector of the Artists Collective, an educational and culturaloutreach program that brings art, dance and music instructionto thousands of city youngsters. At a June 2002 press confer-ence, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving announcedthat it was making a $1.3 million grant to the project,$300,000 of which will be used to promote collaborationswith the Artists Collective and other groups “to ensure thisfacility is truly part of the surrounding neighborhood,” saidMichael Bangser, the foundation’s executive director.

The University completed its purchase of the property thisspring, and with the latest grant, it has now has raised about25 percent of the money needed for the arts center. In anAugust 2001 ceremony at the site, Gov. John Rowlandannounced that the Connecticut Development Authority, inpartnership with the City of Hartford, was providing $2million for the project.

As President Harrison introduced Hartford Mayor Eddie A.Perez at the June 13 event, he praised the mayor for focusingon revitalizing Hartford’s neighborhoods. “I hope we arefollowing his vision for the cityof Hartford,” Harrison said.

SponsorSponsoreed in pard in par t bt by:y:MAINMAIN SSTRTREETEET SOLUTIOSOLUTIONSNSConnecticut’s First Annual Commercial District

Revitalization Conference presented by:

Community Economic Development Fund(CEDF)

and Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC)Tuesday, October 29, 2002

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Cromwell Connecticut

8

CT’s Main Streets

TThe efforts of New London Main Street, TheRockville Downtown Association and FirstTown Downtown (Windsor) have earned these

towns recognition for excellence in the field ofdowntown revitalization by meeting high standards forperformance set by the Connecticut Main Street Centerand the National Trust for Historic Preservation’sNational Main Street Center. These three Connecticuttowns join 400 other Main Street Communities (out ofthe 1,600 nationally) that have received the designationof 2002 National Main Street Community.

TThe national designation program annuallyevaluates downtown revitalization programsbased on strict criteria such as: broad based

public support, historic preservation ethic, active boardof directors, adequate funding, a paid professionalmanager and reporting of economic progress byproviding statistical information. The program’sperformance was evaluated by the Connecticut MainStreet Center, which is the statewide coordinatingorganization for Main Street programs in Connecticut.

AAsuccessful, well-run Main Street program creates a vibrant downtownof many uses, where people come not only to shop but to meet oreven live. By increasing economic vitality and focusing on reusing

historic buildings, it creates a place that defines the community,” saysKennedy Smith, director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s MainStreet Center. “The designation of New London Main Street, The RockvilleDowntown Association and First Town Downtown reflects well-rundowntown revitalization initiatives, and the citizens of New London, Vernonand Windsor should be proud of their efforts, and maintain their commitmentto revitalizing their downtown area.”

3 Lo3 Local Main Strcal Main Streeet Coet Communimmuni tt iies Nates NatiiononallyallyReRecognizcognizeed for Ped for Perr formaformancence

Visit the websites of these outstanding Main Street communities:www.newlondonmainstreet.org

www.vernonct.org/rdawww.firsttowndowntown.org

Congratulations to our National MainStreet Communities!

New London Main Street Volunteers

Grand Opening in Windsor Center

Uncle Sam in Historic Downtown Rockville

9

CT’s Main Streets

HaHave yve you viou visisi teted the Conned the Connectctiicut Main Strcut Main Streeet Centeet Center websir website!te!Log onto www.ctmainstreet.org to learn the latest about the revitalization of Connecticut’s

town centers and neighborhood commercial districts.

Our new website tells you about CMSC, how to become a Main Street Community, lists the services we provide. You can also linkto over 100 resources in downtown revitalization and download a copy of this newsletter, CT’s Main Streets.

wwwwww.ctmains.ctmainstrtreeet.orget.org

Project for Public Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.pps.org

Regional Planning Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.rpa.org

State of CT Department of Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.dot.state.ct.us

The American Institute of Architects, CT Chapter . . . . . . . . . . .www.aiact.org

Town Greens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.towngreens.com

Transportation for Livable Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.tlcnetwork.org

Urban Land Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.uli.org

Walkable Communities, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.walkable.org

Yale Urban Design Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.yale.edu/udw/udw.html

PrProomotmotiion on Allen Consulting, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.allenconsulting.com

International Special Events Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ises.com

Promotion Link . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.promotionlink.com

Schallert & Associates, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.Retail-USA.com

Special Events Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.specialevents.com

OrgaOrganizatnizat iion on Center for Community Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.communitychange.org

Connecticut Council for Philanthropy . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ctphilanthropy.org

Foundation Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.foundationcenter.org

Fund Raiser Cyberzine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.fundraiser.com

Grants Hotline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .http://grantshotline.com

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.hfpg.org

United Way of the Capital Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.uwcact.org

U.S. Census Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.census.gov

CheCheck Out Our Lock Out Our Local Main Strcal Main Streeet Wet Websiebsi tes tes New London Main Street Corp.

www.newlondonmainstreet.orgPortland-P.R.I.D.E.

www.PortlandPride.orgRockville Downtown Association

www.vernonct.com/rdaFirst Town Downtown (Windsor)www.firsttowndowntown.org

aannd the new CMSC websid the new CMSC websi te!te!www.ctmainstreet.org

Connecticut Light & Power Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cl-p.com

State of CT Deptpartment of Economic & Community Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.decd.org

State of Connecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.state.ct.us

Connecticut General Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cga.state.ct.us

National Main Street Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.mainst.org

National Trust For Historic Preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.nthp.org

Resources: Resources: EconEconoomimic Resc Restructtructururing / Business Deveing / Business Devellopmopment ent

American Demographics . .www.inside.com/default.asp?entity=AmericanDemo

Burnes Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.burnesconsulting.com

Claritas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.claritas.com/index.html

Community Economic Development Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cedf.com

ConnEDO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cerc.com/connedo.html

Connecticut Dept. of Economic & Community Development . . .www.decd.org

Connecticut Department of Labor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ctdol.state.ct.us

Connecticut Development Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.state.ct.us

Connecticut Economic Resource Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cerc.com

Connecticut Innovations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.ctinnovations.com

Connecticut Small Business Development Center . . . . . . .www.sbdc.uconn.edu

International Council of Shopping Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.icsc.org

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.liscnet.org

Office of Secretary of the State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.sots.state.ct.us

Service Corps Of Retired Executives (SCORE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.score.org

Small Business Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.sba.gov

Design Design American Planning Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.planning.org

American Society of Landscape Architects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.asla.org

BOCA International (Building Codes) . . . . . . . . . . . .www.bocai.org/index.html

Congress for the New Urbanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cnu.org

Connecticut Historical Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.chc.state.ct.us

Connecticut Rural Development Council / Center for Village Design Program . . .www.ruralct.org/docs/village_center_design_project_pr.htm

Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.cttrust.org

National Park Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.nps.gov

GRGREAEAT WEBSITEST WEBSITES

10

CT’s Main Streets

The Connecticut Light and PowerCompany

CT Department of Economic andCommunity Development

Burnes ConsultingCentral Connecticut State UniversityColliers, Dow & CondonConnecticut Economic DevelopmentFund

Connecticut Economic ResourceCenterConnecticut Historical CommissionConnecticut Trust for HistoricPreservationConnecticut Urban Legal InitiativeLiberty BankLocal Initiatives Support CorporationOffice of the Lieutenant Governor

Office of the Secretary of StateSt. Francis Hospital and MedicalCenterUnited Technologies CorporationWebster BankYale Urban Design WorkshopCT Small Business DevelopmentCenter

CMSC would like to thank and acknowledge the followinginstitutions for their generous support and partnership:SusSustaining Sponsorstaining Sponsors

CMSC HaCMSC Has A New Pars A New Partnetner In CCSUr In CCSU

TThis spring, the Connecticut Main Street Centerparticipated in the Community InternshipProgram of the Sociology Department of Central

Connecticut State University (CCSU). MichelleRancourt, a senior majoring in Sociology with a minor in Urban Studies, joined the CMSC staff for the spring2002 semester.

Students accepted into CCSU’s Community InternshipProgram are expected to spend approximately 110 hoursin their placement. Additionally, interns meet weekly in a three-hour long seminar with other internship participants serving different organizations. Knowledgeand experiences gained in the applied setting are thenused in the classroom, serving as a “capstone” tostudents’ major requirements. Internships are awarded on a competitive basis. The primary expectation forinternship placement is that students engage in a learning activity that enables them to extend their effortand energy into the community.

Dr. Renee T. White, Associate Professor of Sociology atCCSU, guides students accepted into this internshipprogram. Additionally, Dr. White has met with CMSCstaff to begin a discussion regarding the role of CCSU inthe work of revitalization of town centers and neighbor-hood commercial districts. Partnerships betweenacademic institutions and the communities in which theyare located is a focus of CMSC’s work and the work oflocal Main Street organizations (see cover story). CCSUis poised to provide resources and expertise in their ownback yard - the city of New Britain has been working onthe revitalization of their downtown.

Together, CMSC staff and Michelle identified three areasof responsibility: research, community outreach andadministrative tasks. Michelle’s community outreachranged from shadowing CMSC staff to training sessionsin strategic planning for local Main Street communities,workshops and committee meetings to meeting localMain Street program managers and reconnaissance toursin prospective Main Street communities.

In her research project, Michelle tackled the complexissues of safety in urban commercial neighborhoods andbest practices of comprehensive downtown revitalizationprograms in urban areas. Through interviews with leadingconsultants and professionals that specialize in therevitalization of urban neighborhoods, Michelle compileda wealth of information and resources on “taking back theneighborhood”, touching on issues such as crime,residential mix, partnerships with law enforcement andthe community, market realities, designing for safety andhow a community sustains itself over a long period oftime. As part of her academic requirement, Michelleprepared a report on her findings which will be used byCMSC to continue the exploration of best practices inurban neighborhood revitalization. CMSC staff willdiscuss this report at the first ever national Urban MainStreet Forum in Boston this summer.

With Michelle’s sensitivity and professionalism, as wellas her passion for the subject matter and her aptitude forurban studies, she was a perfect fit for CMSC and wewish her much success in her future!

11

BOARD BASICS Tips for Main Street Boards

Connecticut Main Street CenterBoard of Directors

2001 - 2002

John W. Shannahan, ChairConnecticut Historical CommissionState Historic Preservation Officer

Lisa Bumbera, SecretaryThe Connecticut Light & Power

Company

Martha A. Hunt, TreasurerConnecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc.

Harland O. HenryOffice of Secretary of the State

Keith KumnickColliers Dow & Condon

Lawrence LusardiCT Department of Economic & Community Development

Preston MaynardCommunity Economic

Development Fund

Andrea PereiraLocal Initiatives Support Corp.

(LISC)

Kinson PerrySouthern New England Telephone

Alan J. PlattusDirector, Yale Urban Design

WorkshopYale University School of

Architecture

Calvin PriceLiberty Bank

Robert J. Sitkowski, Esq., AIARobinson & Cole LLP

Calvin B. VinalWebster Bank

Connecticut Main Street Centerc/o CL&P

P.O. Box 2370 Hartford, CT 06146-2370

www.ctmainstreet.org

John Simone, Executive DirectorPhone: 860-280-2337Fax: 860-280-2487

E-mail: john@ctmainstreet.org

Kimberley Parsons-Whitaker, Associate Director

Phone: 860-280-2556Fax: 860-280-2487

E-mail: kim@ctmainstreet.org

CT’s Main Streets

BOARD NORMSOperational NormsMeeting expectations - how much time, whatinformation is shared, how are meetingsconducted, purpose of meetings➪ Meet once a month - 2-hour meetings

➪ More than just information distribution -needs to be discussion on issues

➪ Leave with a to do list of assignments

➪ Need for underlying trust

➪ No individual agendas

➪ He/she who speaks the most or the loudest isnot necessarily getting the most done

➪ Every board member is valued

➪ For the board to work and think strategically,i t must be a rea l working board - 10hours/month

➪ There must be excellent dialogue betweenboard and community - set up appropriatevehicles for this

➪ Attend all meetings, come on time - the boarddoes its homework

➪ Consensus is the goal - this requires underly-ing trust

➪ Be open to positive criticism, difference of

opinion is healthy, but criticism should not bepersonal, or taken personally, we must agreeto disagree

Behavioral NormsExpectations of fellow board members and yourself➪ Board needs to be unified, when consensus is

reached, then everyone must support andrespect the decision when speaking to thecommunity at large

➪ Attend all board meetings (bylaws say onecan miss three per year)

➪ Board needs to see selves as ambassadors forprojects and community

➪ Board be welcoming and understanding andsupporting what other organizations are doing

➪ Board serves as a catalyst for collaboration,cooperation and support for other organiza-tions and all of community

➪ Board must be sensitive to others and find aprocess for conflict resolution and institution-alize this, so we are pre-armed before theconflict comes up

➪ Board will pursue the mission of the organi-zation and not individual agendas

➪ Financial contribution from the board must be100%

➪ Must give of time, do homework, be knowl-edgeable

➪ Board can demonstrate their commitment bybuying locally, being part of the community,being visible and connected to neighborhood

developed by Upper Albany Main Street’s Board of Directors

MMain Street Boards should embrace a set of principlessometimes knows as “norms” to guide the organizationand its operations. Collectively, these organizational and

operational norms will define the culture of the program. They willhelp remind the program’s board and staff of who they are and howthey get things done as an organization. Organizational Normsdefine the organization. As in the case of an individual, they are

character-defining traits and closely held values that answer thequestion, “Who are we?” Operational Norms describe how anorganization will function or do things. By embracing organizationaland operational norms, the local Main Street program will develop aculture of achievement and excellence that will ensure the long-termsuccess of the revitalization effort.

Patricia Wilson Aden

is the quarterly newsletter of Connecticut Main Street Center.

We welcome submissions of articles, editorialsand photos. Permission to reprint any article

must be granted in writing by Connecticut Main Street Center

Contributing EditorKimberley Parsons-Whitaker

Graphic Design & LayoutAndree LaPointe

PrintingHitchcock Printing

Production & printing costs graciously underwritten by

The Connecticut Light and Power Company

Connecticut Main Street Centerc/o CL&PP.O. Box 2370Hartford, CT 06146-2370

Name and address updates requested

12

Connecticut’s First Annual Commercial District Revitalization Conference

presented by

Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) and

Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC)Tuesday, October 29, 2002

Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Cromwell Connecticut

MAIN SMAIN STRTREETEET SOLUTIOSOLUTIONSNS

OCTOCTOBEROBER2929,, 20200202

TUESDTUESDAAYY

Look for details in the mail and on our websites!

wwwwww.ctmains.ctmainstrtreeet.org • wwwet.org • www.ce.cedf.codf.comm