Michigan Main Street Program
Public Information Meeting
117 S. State Street (next to Oceana Herald Journal)
Downtown Hart
“Are we complainin’ or are we doin’?”
…Tom Izzo, MSU Basketball Coach, September 16, 2009, Lansing, MI
City of Hart
407 State Street
Hart, MI 49420
231-873-2488
Our volunteers:
Clancy Aerts, Sara Bizon, Joan Lundborg, Linda Foster, Anne Hardy, Michelle Angell-Powell,
Lee-Ann Shannon, Gayle Forner, Bill Hegg, Dave Spitler, Joe Lesausky, Linda Kotzian, Nancy Sterk, Bruce & Barb Vanderhoof, Gene Davidson, Dick & Ginny Huntington, Tim White
March 2, 2010
7 PM
Agenda
1. What is Michigan Main Street?
Administered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Main Street was developed to save historic commercial architecture and community fabric, while also aiding in economic development. The aim of Michigan Main Street is for Michigan’s downtowns to revitalize and grow into thriving traditional centers of commerce for people and business. These healthy and vibrant downtowns are part of a larger strategy to retain and attract young people, professionals and high tech companies to the State of Michigan. There are currently fourteen Main Street communities in Michigan:
| Boyne City | Iron Mountain | Muskegon |
| Calumet | Old Town Lansing | Niles |
| Clare | Manistee | Owosso |
| Grand Haven | Marshall | Portland |
| Howell | Scottville |
Michigan Main Street utilizes the National Trust’s Four Point Approach of Main Street revitalization: 1) Organization, 2) Promotion, 3) Design and 4) Economic Revitalization to develop key partnerships, provide technical assistance, and networking opportunities for each of the Michigan Main Street communities. Hart entered the Michigan Main Street program in August, 2009 as an Associate member, a one-year commitment. The City is now eligible to apply in 2010 for the Selected level, a five-year program to meet the National Main Street standards. Membership is not automatic.
You can learn more about Main Street at the following sites:
www.michiganmainstreetcenter.org
www.michiganmainstreet.blogspot.com
2. Timeline for Michigan Main Street in Hart
January 23, 2009 Downtown revitalization conference in Grand Haven
February 10, 2009 Informational meeting with presentation by MSHDA w/ 30 attendees
February 24, 2009 Hart City Council approves resolution supporting application
March 6, 2009 City of Hart submits NOTICE OF INTENT to apply
May 1, 2009 City of Hart submits full application for associate level status
July 20, 2009 MSHDA approves Hart as associate member
August 20, 2009 Associate member orientation webinar
August 27, 2009 MSHDA and City of Hart finalize Main Street agreement
Sept.15-16, 2009 Michigan Downtown Conference, Lansing
September 28, 2009 Informational meeting in downtown Hart w/ about 45 attendees
October 15, 2009 Basic training in Niles, MI
October 21, 2009 Basic training in Manistee
November 13, 2009 Organization-Promotion training in Old Town Lansing
November 19, 2009 Field trip to Clare
December 1, 2009 Informational meeting in downtown Hart w/about 60 attendees
January 15, 2010 Design-Economic Restructuring training in Grand Haven
January 21, 2010 Design-Economic Restructuring training in Portland
February 11, 2010 Main Street In Action in Howell
February 25, 2010 Main Street In Action in Boyne City
March 2, 2010 City Council meeting to discuss “letter of interest” for “selected level”
March 5, 2010 “Letter of Interest” due in Lansing
3. Michigan Main Street “Selected” status in 2010.
Process to apply
- March 5, 2010 Submit Letter of Interest to apply for “selected” status
- March 9 & 10, 2010 Guidance on full application process
- May 7, 2010 Application due in Lansing (about 8 will be eligible)
- June, 2010 Interview at MSHDA in Lansing
- July, 2010 Award “selected” communities (maximum of 4)
- August, 2010 Finalize agreement with MSHDA
- September, 2010 Begin
b. Commitment by selected communities
• Must have successfully completed services provided in Associate level
• Employ a full-time Main Street Manager who will coordinate and facilitate the work of the program
• Establish and maintain an active board of directors and committees using the Main Street 4-Point Approach™
• Participate in all trainings and services provided by the MMS Program
• Fund the local Main Street program through both public and private partnerships at a level allowing for the full operation of the program
• Submit monthly reports to the MMS program
• Submit annual reports to the MMS program
• Maintain a membership with the National Main Street Center network
• Meet accreditation standards set by National Main Street Center by the fifth year
c. Services available to Selected Communities (L) = at Lansing (C) = at Community
• Michigan Main Street orientation (L)
• Base-line assessment visit (C)
• Manager selection assistance (C)
• Manager training (L/C)
• Committee training (C)
• Main Street building basics (C)
• Design services—fifteen
• Work plan development training (C)
• Volunteer development training (C)
• Market Study—downtown housing & population recruitment strategy (C)
• Resource team (C)
• Year end evaluations (C)
• Accreditation with the National Main Street Center
• Accredited technical assistance training (C)
• Retail merchandising training (C)
• Entrepreneurship training (L)
• Real estate development training (L)
• MMS quarterly trainings
• MMS Listserv
• National Main Street conference registration
• Resource library materials
• MMS road signs
