In step with the Downtown Development Authority Board’s adoption of the Downtown Work Program and the Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization the Imlay City DDA has identified the following as objectives by which to gauge the direction of the DDA in 2004.
The Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization is based on four points:
Organization- means building consensus and cooperation among the groups that play roles in the downtown. Many individuals and organizations in the community have a stake in the economic viability of the downtown, including:
- Bankers
- Property Owners
- Public Officials
- Merchants
- Downtown Residents
- Professionals
- Chamber of Commerce Representatives
- Local Industry
- Civic Groups
- Historical Society
- Schools
- Consumers
- Real Estate Agents
- Local Media
Design- involves improving the downtown’s image by enhancing its physical appearance-not just the appearance of buildings, but also that of streetlights, window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, promotional materials and all other elements that convey a visual message about the downtown and what it has to offer.
Promotion- involves marketing the downtown’s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, tourists and others. Effective promotion creates a positive image of the downtown through retail promotional activity, special events and ongoing programs to build positive perceptions of the district.
Economic Restructuring- means strengthening the existing economic base of the downtown while diversifying it. Economic Restructuring activities include helping existing downtown businesses expand, recruiting new businesses to provide a balanced mix, converting unused space into productive property and sharpening the competitiveness of downtown merchants. By strengthening he downtown’s economy, communities are able to support the ongoing use of historic buildings, preserving unique community assets.
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