Main Street District Report: Downtown improvements are noted
As summer winds down and we send the kids back to school, the Main Street District program is gearing up for a flurry of activity. There is a definite change in the air, and we're not just talking about the weather. Have you spent much time downtown lately? The District has several new businesses and several established businesses with new owners and make sure you notice some pretty impressive changes to buildings as well. Look for this trend to continue and build momentum as time goes on and we get more people involved in the District.
Some of you attended a Town Meeting at the end of June to learn more about the Main Street program and to offer your valuable input. We are in the process of putting many of those ideas into action. The most active group has been the Design Committee. They have been meeting twice a month and are working on a set of Design Guidelines for facade improvements. They hope to have these ready by the end of September. The Guidelines will be used in conjunction with the Facade Grant Application prepared by the Polson Redevelopment Agency allowing building or business owners to apply for a grant worth up to $2,500 to make improvements to the exterior of their building.
The Design Committee has also begun to work on a plan, timeline and budget for streetscape improvements on Main Street. This is a joint project with the City of Polson and we're excited to be developing this project using past studies and present-day needs.
The other committees (Promotion, Organization and Economic Restructuring) will begin to meet later this month and we'll keep you updated with their progress. It's important to keep in mind that the Main Street District is not "city hall's responsibility" and our independent business owners can't do it alone. A collaborative effort, combining the unique skills and vantage points of both public and private sectors, is essential to a vibrant downtown district. This revitalization won't happen overnight; it's a gradual process that begins with small steps and we're happy to report that we have a good start and you can help us make a difference, not only for the downtown district, but for the community as a whole.
The Main Street District Program is managed by the Polson Community Development Agency. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Sue Taylor at the PCDA office, located inside the Polson Chamber of Commerce at 4 Second Avenue East (471-1326).