The close of a year brings reflection as well as projection and planning for the future, evidenced by any media you may engage in. I certainly don't want to be left out of this ritual of reflecting on 2008, and I would be remiss in not sharing Main Street plans for 2009.
The four-point approach of the Main Street program is a process of planning and implementation that can seem to take forever. But, as I have pointed out in previous reports, there are no quick fixes in downtown revitalization. Rather, it consists of small, thoughtful steps taken one by one that in time can build a staircase.
I'm afraid I don't have a top 10 list of accomplishments, since many steps are still under construction - but these are the top three accomplishments, solid steps built in 2008 for Monroe Main Street from my view:
• Long-Range Master Plan completed, thanks to a grant from Swiss Colony.
• Façade Improvement Grant finalized by the Design Committee and put to use by building owners.
• Streetscape Design finalized and adopted for next stage development.
Why these three? Because, they have provided the long-view vision, a current tool to implement, and a working framework to keep tooling.
Of course there also was the growth of Concerts on the Square - despite rain. A hugely successful Chili Fest, thanks to the vision of Cherie Hughes and Barb Gelbach. Downtown bike racks were put in place due to the interest and investment of the Monroe Women's Club, and stunning banners created by local artists to celebrate our 150 years as a town graced the downtown this year, due to a collaboration of community leaders working together to acknowledge our assets, with funding by the Business Improvement District.
We also have seen that downtown Monroe appears to be a place favorable to do business in with the emergence of The Lion and the Unicorn, Veracruz, Supreme Trailers, Julie's Bridal, La Rosita, Kookaburra's and Barrett's Brick Café - all new enterprises. Europa has a new owner-operator, and the wonderful office supply operated by the Wolfes, now retired, will reopen as a new commerce in 2009. In addition, House to Home moved up the block, filling a vacant space on the Square and a new business is on the horizon for an east side building that is currently vacant.
Fehr-Graham, Dr. Patterson's office and Our Kidz Kloset each have a new façade face-lift. Barrett's Brick Cafe still is in progress, and keep your eye on Portraits by Dawn for the next facade transformation.
Public and private investment is the glue that holds a community together in good times and bad. The economic prognosis for the coming year has been speculated as probably bleak, but growth for the downtown is optimistic, both due to the entrepreneurial enterprises that took root this year and the Main Street volunteers and partners who are working to execute next steps in keeping Monroe's heart alive and well.
With the design of the Streetscape approved, implementation may occur this coming year. New sidewalks, a new water line to replace the 100-year-old one, street pavement to be replaced, and, yes, definitely inconvenience and a disruption of business lies ahead for the downtown. It's not just about trees and sidewalks or parking meters. There are some important infrastructure elements that need attention. We are engaged in crafting this process to address the infrastructure needs that must be met, as well as enhancing the downtown overall. Currently, coal vaults that will have to be closed at some point are being analyzed to address now, rather than later, in order to expedite the anticipated spring construction.
Also under construction at present is a Main Street Web site that will have up-to-date information on what is happening downtown. You can visit it at MonroeMainStreet.Org now and watch it grow. When up and fully running in 2009, you will be able to check an interactive map daily on how to best maneuver throughout construction downtown. You also may provide information on your business to share on the Main Street site.
What an exciting year we face of rebirth and reinforcement of our downtown!
Happy New Year.
Hang in There.
- Barb Nelson is director of Monroe Main Street. She writes a monthly update on the organization for the Monroe Times. She can be reached at 328-4023.
The four-point approach of the Main Street program is a process of planning and implementation that can seem to take forever. But, as I have pointed out in previous reports, there are no quick fixes in downtown revitalization. Rather, it consists of small, thoughtful steps taken one by one that in time can build a staircase.
I'm afraid I don't have a top 10 list of accomplishments, since many steps are still under construction - but these are the top three accomplishments, solid steps built in 2008 for Monroe Main Street from my view:
• Long-Range Master Plan completed, thanks to a grant from Swiss Colony.
• Façade Improvement Grant finalized by the Design Committee and put to use by building owners.
• Streetscape Design finalized and adopted for next stage development.
Why these three? Because, they have provided the long-view vision, a current tool to implement, and a working framework to keep tooling.
Of course there also was the growth of Concerts on the Square - despite rain. A hugely successful Chili Fest, thanks to the vision of Cherie Hughes and Barb Gelbach. Downtown bike racks were put in place due to the interest and investment of the Monroe Women's Club, and stunning banners created by local artists to celebrate our 150 years as a town graced the downtown this year, due to a collaboration of community leaders working together to acknowledge our assets, with funding by the Business Improvement District.
We also have seen that downtown Monroe appears to be a place favorable to do business in with the emergence of The Lion and the Unicorn, Veracruz, Supreme Trailers, Julie's Bridal, La Rosita, Kookaburra's and Barrett's Brick Café - all new enterprises. Europa has a new owner-operator, and the wonderful office supply operated by the Wolfes, now retired, will reopen as a new commerce in 2009. In addition, House to Home moved up the block, filling a vacant space on the Square and a new business is on the horizon for an east side building that is currently vacant.
Fehr-Graham, Dr. Patterson's office and Our Kidz Kloset each have a new façade face-lift. Barrett's Brick Cafe still is in progress, and keep your eye on Portraits by Dawn for the next facade transformation.
Public and private investment is the glue that holds a community together in good times and bad. The economic prognosis for the coming year has been speculated as probably bleak, but growth for the downtown is optimistic, both due to the entrepreneurial enterprises that took root this year and the Main Street volunteers and partners who are working to execute next steps in keeping Monroe's heart alive and well.
With the design of the Streetscape approved, implementation may occur this coming year. New sidewalks, a new water line to replace the 100-year-old one, street pavement to be replaced, and, yes, definitely inconvenience and a disruption of business lies ahead for the downtown. It's not just about trees and sidewalks or parking meters. There are some important infrastructure elements that need attention. We are engaged in crafting this process to address the infrastructure needs that must be met, as well as enhancing the downtown overall. Currently, coal vaults that will have to be closed at some point are being analyzed to address now, rather than later, in order to expedite the anticipated spring construction.
Also under construction at present is a Main Street Web site that will have up-to-date information on what is happening downtown. You can visit it at MonroeMainStreet.Org now and watch it grow. When up and fully running in 2009, you will be able to check an interactive map daily on how to best maneuver throughout construction downtown. You also may provide information on your business to share on the Main Street site.
What an exciting year we face of rebirth and reinforcement of our downtown!
Happy New Year.
Hang in There.
- Barb Nelson is director of Monroe Main Street. She writes a monthly update on the organization for the Monroe Times. She can be reached at 328-4023.
