HUNTSVILLE: A Main Street City Since 2001
What is the Huntsville Main
Street Program? Main Street is a downtown redevelopment program at work in 40 states and thousands of cities nationwide. Using a combination of economic development, infrastructure improvements, promotions and cooperative efforts, Main Street seeks to revitalize downtown areas. The Texas Historical Commission administers the Texas Main Street Program and designated Huntsville as a Main Street City in 2001.
The Mission of Huntsville Main Street
To help create an inviting and historic downtown area that serves as a center of economic, recreational and cultural activity for Huntsville residents and visitors.
Main Street Action Area
●
Infrastructure
Improvements
● Economic Development
● Marketing & Promotional
Events
Main Street Goals
● To help
create a physical environment that is attractive
and conducive to economic development.
●
To promote viable and diverse economic development in the areas of
retail, residential, medical, health, food service, entertainment, and arts & culture.
●
To increase public awareness, strengthen positive perceptions and promote
the downtown area as an economic, social and cultural center for our community.
The Administration
The Huntsville Main Street Program is directed by
Main Street Manager Harold Hutcheson. He is guided by the Main
Street Advisory Board — a diverse group of volunteer leaders
from the downtown area and the community at large. These members
are selected by the Mayor and voted on by the City Council. The
current members are Cheryl Spencer, James R. Barnes, Laura Bruns, Sam Moak,
Kimm Thomas, Robert Ernst Jr., Lee Jamison, Ferne Frosch and ex-officio member Linda Pease from the city’s Cultural Services Division.
●
Serve to oversee all Main Street committees.
●
Identify partners in the development process and
promote mutually beneficial
interrelationships.
●
Provide oversight of the Main Street Program
budget and legislative issues.
The Committees
The board is responsible for four committees whose duties are outlined below. The committees are made up of downtown merchants, local bankers, business owners, university faculty, and a number of dedicated local volunteers.
● Communication & Promotion — facilitate communication and cooperation among
participants in downtown development, increase public awareness, strengthen positive
perceptions, change negative perceptions and promote downtown as a center of economic,
recreational & cultural activity.
° Develop methods for increasing communication and
participation among downtown
merchants.
°
Assist in the creation of a unified marketing campaign for downtown.
● Economic Development —
promote viable and diverse economic development in the areas
of retail, food service, entertainment, and arts & culture.
° Use information gained in market analysis study and downtown business
surveys to develop a strategic plan for downtown economic development.
° Develop systems for increasing the marketability of all downtown businesses.
° Coordinate and promote the free consultation services now available to
Huntsville as a Main Street city.
● Infrastructure & Beautification — create a pedestrian and vehicle environment that is
attractive and easily traversed.
° Facilitate linkages between area sites of interest.
° Promote the development of downtown traffic and parking plans.
° Encourage additional streetscape & landscaping projects in the downtown area.
° Work with property owners and merchants in developing cost-effective methods for
improving downtown structures while maintaining a sense of historic integrity.
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