| Oregon Main Street |
|
|
 |
| Where place and time meet... |
|
Oregon Main Street is a statewide commercial district revitalization program administered through the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department. This program, in partnership with the National Trust Main Street Center, was created to assist communities in achieving viable commercial districts. In the 1970s, the National Trust developed its pioneering Main Street four point approach to commercial district revitalization.
This proven approach combines historic preservation with economic development to restore prosperity and vitality to downtowns and neighborhood business districts. It has created a network of more than 40 statewide, citywide and countywide Main Street programs with more than 1,600 active Main Street communities throughout the U.S.
|
| Oregon program |
|
Governor Kulongoski included funding to re-establish this Oregon program in the 2007-09 state budget.
The underlying premise of Main Street is to encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation in ways appropriate to today's marketplace. This approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment and the rebuilding of traditional districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local owernship and a sense of community.
On September 26th 2008, Governor Kulongoski announced the communities selected for the Oregon Main Street Program. Four cities were selected for the Performing Main Street program, seven selected for the Transforming Downtown program, and thirty-three are enrolled in the Exploring Downtown program. Cities selected in the Performing Main Street program meet the national criteria for certified Main Streets. The next application date for the Performing Main Street and Transforming Downtown programs is March 20th 2009.
|
The Main Street Approach
|
|
|
Organization assembles public/private leaders within communities to work toward the same revitalization goals.
Promotion sells a positive brand image of the commercial district drawing visitors, shoppers and investors downtown.
Design enhances both livability and attraction of the district by rehabilitating historic buildings, creating pedestrian-oriented streets and encouraging context-sensitive new construction.
Economic Restructuring strengthens a community’s existing assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. Main Street sharpens the competitiveness of existing business and attracts compatible new businesses to the district.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
