South Dakota Main South Dakota Main StreetStreet

South Dakota Municipal South Dakota Municipal LeagueLeague

Eric AmbrosonPlanning and Development District III

October 4, 2007

Overview

A Bit of HistoryA Bit of History Why are Main Streets Important?Why are Main Streets Important? Why Revitalize?Why Revitalize? Who Benefits from Revitalization?Who Benefits from Revitalization? Facts of LifeFacts of Life Coordinating ProgramsCoordinating Programs The Four Points and Eight PrincipalsThe Four Points and Eight Principals Can it Work for South Dakota?Can it Work for South Dakota?

A Bit of History…

Scotland, SD

…What Happened?

…Downtown’s Struggles

Why Are Main Streets Important? Commercial districts are prominent employment Commercial districts are prominent employment

centers.centers. The commercial district is a reflection of the The commercial district is a reflection of the

community.community. Main Street represents a significant portion of the Main Street represents a significant portion of the

community's tax base.community's tax base. The traditional commercial district is an ideal location The traditional commercial district is an ideal location

for independent businesses.for independent businesses. A historic commercial district is often a major tourist A historic commercial district is often a major tourist

attraction.attraction. Main Street provides an important civic forum, where Main Street provides an important civic forum, where

members of the community can congregatemembers of the community can congregate.. The commercial district represents a huge public and The commercial district represents a huge public and

private investment.private investment.

Why Revitalize?

Main Streets are the most visible Main Streets are the most visible

indicator of community’s status.indicator of community’s status.

Downtown is either an asset or liability Downtown is either an asset or liability

in attracting businesses, people, and in attracting businesses, people, and

tourists.tourists.

Buildings reflect the community’s Buildings reflect the community’s

history and heritage.history and heritage.

Revitalization is hard work, but worth it.Revitalization is hard work, but worth it.

Who Benefits from Revitalization?

MerchantsMerchants

Property OwnersProperty Owners

Financial InstitutionsFinancial Institutions

Professionals and Service BusinessesProfessionals and Service Businesses

Chamber of CommerceChamber of Commerce

ResidentsResidents

Local GovernmentLocal Government

Facts of Life

1.1. There is no magic bulletThere is no magic bullet

2.2. There are no handoutsThere are no handouts

3.3. Most resources are localMost resources are local

4.4. Some change will be neededSome change will be needed

5.5. You can't do it aloneYou can't do it alone

6.6. Revitalization won't happen overnightRevitalization won't happen overnight

7.7. The process is never finishedThe process is never finished

How Can We Address These Issues?

A Statewide Main Street A Statewide Main Street

Coordinating Program is Coordinating Program is

the Answerthe Answer

Coordinating Programs in General

Provide participating local Main Provide participating local Main

Street organizations with the training, tools, Street organizations with the training, tools,

information, and networking they need to be information, and networking they need to be

successful.successful.

Give local Main Street programs professional Give local Main Street programs professional

advice and guidance in the use of the proven advice and guidance in the use of the proven

Main Street Four-Point Approach™Main Street Four-Point Approach™

Organization

Promotion

Design

Economic Restructuring

The Four Points

The Four Point “Wheel” Concept

Des

ign

Pro

mot

ion

Organization Ec. Restructuring•Preservation•Grass Roots

Board RevitalizationProcess

Volunteers

Volunteers Volunteers

VolunteersPro

gram

Dire

ctor

Translate and tailor the Main Street approach Translate and tailor the Main Street approach

according to the specific community.according to the specific community.

Competitively select local Main Street districts and Competitively select local Main Street districts and

programs for participation.programs for participation.

Provide an appropriate scope of technical Provide an appropriate scope of technical

assistance.assistance.

Provide networking, advocacy, and Provide networking, advocacy, and

encouragement to participating local programs.encouragement to participating local programs.

Serve as a liaison with the National Trust Main Serve as a liaison with the National Trust Main

Street Center. Street Center.

General Statewide Program Functions

The Eight Principals Taught by Main Street

Incremental ProcessIncremental Process Comprehensive Four Point ApproachComprehensive Four Point Approach QualityQuality Public and Private PartnershipPublic and Private Partnership Changing AttitudesChanging Attitudes Focus on Existing AssetsFocus on Existing Assets Self-Help ProgramSelf-Help Program Implementation OrientedImplementation Oriented

Reinvestment in Downtown

Growth in Downtown

Can This Work for South Dakota?South Dakota Main Street Would:

Work closely with communities that are Work closely with communities that are

committed to following the Main Street committed to following the Main Street

ApproachApproach

Work on a more limited basis with Work on a more limited basis with

communities that are interested in downtown communities that are interested in downtown

revitalization but who might not want to revitalization but who might not want to

develop a comprehensive Main Street programdevelop a comprehensive Main Street program

Benefits of Using the Four Point Approach

South Dakota Towns Can:

Restore economic health and vitality Restore economic health and vitality to their downtowns.to their downtowns.

Develop public-private partnerships Develop public-private partnerships to implement revitalization activities.to implement revitalization activities.

Better promote and market their Better promote and market their downtownsdowntowns

Improve their downtowns physically.Improve their downtowns physically.

Some Numbers to Think AboutThe Average Statewide Coordinating

Program:

Has an annual program budget is $542,152.Has an annual program budget is $542,152.

Employs 3.16 full-time and 1.71 part-time Employs 3.16 full-time and 1.71 part-time

staff.staff.

Serves an average of 28.74 local Main Serves an average of 28.74 local Main

Street programs Street programs

Learning From the Past

To Be Successful, South Dakota Main Street Needs:

Adequate Funding

Adequate Staff Levels

To Provide a Complete Regimen of Introductory To Provide a Complete Regimen of Introductory

ServicesServices

Other Opportunities Include: Contract staff Other Opportunities Include: Contract staff

for specialized services and working with for specialized services and working with

several communities in a group format.several communities in a group format.

How You Can Help

Provide a letter of support;Provide a letter of support;

Make a five-year financial Make a five-year financial

commitment; commitment;

Help us spread the message; andHelp us spread the message; and

Become actively involved in the Become actively involved in the

organizing efforts.organizing efforts.

Questions?

Thank You Very Much!