Securing a Place for Main Street

Presentation to Civic Progress CommitteeWednesday, August 8, 2012

Columbia, Illinois

Securing a Place for Main Street

Challenges for Main Street: Limited eligibility for grant programs Proximity to St. Louis metropolitan area High traffic volume on Main Street does not promote

pedestrian activity along street Corridor development inconsistent—lots of gaps Business/property investment is lagging Merchants have steadily lost market share Main Street organization lacks focus Streetscape funding is very limited Lack of overall plan, investment strategy

Securing a Place for Main Street

“Any community unable to attract and hold talent will join a growing number of economically doomed places where economic development is impossible.”

- Mark LautmanWhen the Boomers Bail: A Community

Economic Survival Guide

PHASE I: TEND TO THE BASICS

Securing a Place for Main Street

Securing a Place for Main Street

What will draw people to our Main Street?

Securing a Place for Main StreetTwo Concepts—Both Hard to Define:

‘Charm’The term “Main Street” evokes visions of Norman Rockwell’s America, a kinder, gentler place of charming small towns, where neighbors watch out for one another and mom-and-pop businesses anchor the local economy. “Main Street” is such a powerful symbol of old-fashioned American values that the Walt Disney Company positions “Main Street, U.S.A.” as the first attraction visitors encounter when they step inside the gates of the company’s Magic Kingdom-style parks around the world.

‘Sense of Place’A distinctive place embodies a character, look, flavor, and heritage that are not found in other locations, especially within the surrounding region. To best enhance its distinct qualities, Main Street should build upon its intrinsic historic, economic, natural, and cultural amenities. Main Street may serve as a place for employment, shopping, worship, tourism, housing, government services, dining, entertainment, lodging, and cultural attractions, with all of these activities usually situated within a compact area that is easily walkable.

Securing a Place for Main StreetPartners in Promotion:Main Street Merchants Brochure Decorative banners Highway signage (I-255) Joint advertising Billboards (?)

City of Columbia Partner on above Social media Special events Streetscape maintenance Streetscape project

Securing a Place for Main Street

Securing a Place for Main Street

Main Street, USA Main Street Columbia

PHASE II: SCOPE THE ‘SCAPE

Securing a Place for Main Street

Securing a Place for Main Street

Securing a Place for Main Street

Primary GoalsStreetscape project will bring:

Bump-outsWider sidewalksNew light standardsStreet treesMore crosswalks

The items above will be incorporated into the project

Securing a Place for Main Street

Collateral IssuesStreetscape project won’t (by itself) bring:Adequate parkingCommon area furnitureConsistency (no gaps) to

rows of buildingsOutdoor seatingPocket parksPublic artSignage that works Updated facades These items will require

further discussion and, ultimately, action…

PHASE III: STEP UP THE PLACE

Securing a Place for Main Street

Securing a Place for Main Street

Step Up the Buzz: Continue to promote Historic Main Street Columbia,

complete Phase I streetscape work, assemble data/public input on collateral issues

Step Forward the Vision:Craft an overall revitalization strategy for Main Street (see next slide)

Step Into the New Main Street:Put the strategy to work—work with property owners to retain/recruit tenants and improve properties

Securing a Place for Main Street

Next Steps: Identify where we need more parking, locations that might

allow shared parking, opportunities (if any) to deploy transit; Review the façade grant program (including amounts granted,

procedures, and ways to make a closer tie between purpose and funding);

Analyze current and potential uses (especially vacant properties) to identify opportunities or problems;

Explore how and where outdoor seating might be permitted; Consider how art & green space might be added; Evaluate potential impacts from allowing sign regulations

peculiar to Main Street (e.g., permitting sandwich boards)

Securing a Place for Main Street

Longer Term: Consider potential changes to zoning and/or development

regulations (unique to Main Street); Identify common area improvements and/or services (this would

include evaluation of the Main Street organizational model); Explore innovative financing mechanisms (e.g., tax increment,

business district)—or new ways to combine programs Identify complementary businesses and recruit target businesses

These strategies will be part of the Main Street investment strategy section of the revised Comprehensive Plan

Securing a Place for Main StreetCo-working: the power of collaborationEntrepreneurs have conceived and nurtured startups from coffee shops, libraries, garages--any place they can find to work. Recognizing the need for places that are flexible, social and inexpensive, collaboration centers are sprouting up as popular work spaces for entrepreneurs in cities around the globe. These centers offer a place to collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs, build partnerships, find mentors and gain advice.

Securing a Place for Main StreetNextSpace (Santa Cruz, CA) sells membership into a collaborative community.

Members come from a wide variety of industries: software, design, marketing, legal services, architecture, and engineering, just to name a few. Some are lifelong freelancers, while some have been downsized from bigger companies and are just beginning to venture out on their own. Some telecommute to bigger companies on the other side of the country or the other side of the world. Some are startups, just beginning companies with dreams of a big exit, while some are using their skills simply to earn a living.

Securing a Place for Main StreetRecommendations: Pursue construction of streetscape project (Phase I) Begin parking analysis for the targeted Main Street district Review current façade program Catalog development gaps along Main Street to identify causes Seek examples of outdoor seating regulations from other communities Begin working with the Play Commission & Art on the Bluffs to identify

places on Main Street for pocket parks and public art Seek examples of signage regulations from other communities that

promote local businesses without violating historic preservation or “sense of place”

These efforts will build on the Geographic Information System (GIS) work already begun to form the foundation for the Main Street section of the revised Comprehensive Plan