Hamilton Neighborhood Main Street Initiative
The Four Point Approach: Elements & Action Taken
The success in revitalizing downtowns depends on the use of a comprehensive and incremental approach such as the Main Street Program. And to create a well-balanced program the combination of four elements has to be employed as follow:
1. Organization: This element involves building a local Main Street organization that is well-represented and funded by local residents, merchants, property owners, civic groups, bankers, public officials, and chambers of commerce.
Action plan: Establishing and structuring an organization, drafting a work plan, raising funds, managing volunteers.
Action taken:
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Formed the Hamilton Street Business & Community Corp.
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Established three committees: 1) Physical Improvement, 2) Clean & Safe and 3) Marketing
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Created database of businesses, residents and property owners
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Adopt-A-Road
2. Design: This element enhances the visual appearance, attractiveness and traffic management of the business district. Historic building rehabilitations, street and alley clean-ups, parking and traffic calming issues, colorful banners, landscaping, and lighting to improve the physical beauty of the downtown as a quality place in which to shop, work, walk, invest, and live.
Action plan: Designing basics of architectural style, facade rehabilitation, streetscape improvements, business appearance, design incentives.
Action taken:
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Facade Improvement Program
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Architectural Design Guidelines (big part of the HBD Ordinance)
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Tree Replacement Program
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Transportation Improvements (Parking & Pedestrian Circulation)
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Shuttle Bus Service (Coming Soon)
3. Promotion: This element involves marketing an enticing image to shoppers, investors, residents and visitors. Festivals, retail events and image development campaigns are some of the ways Main Street encourages consumer traffic in the downtown.
Action taken:
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Created a newsletter
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Coupon & Discount Program
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Established a Farmers Market
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Creating a website
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Developing a Marketing Plan
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Utilizing Special Events to Promote the CBD (i.e.; Memorial Day Parade, Community Festival, Street Festival, Shop Hamilton at Night)
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Outdoor Dining
4. Economic Restructuring: This element involves analyzing current market forces to develop long-term solutions. Recruiting new businesses, creatively converting unused space for new uses, and sharpening the competitiveness of Main Street 's entrepreneurial merchants are examples of economic restructuring activities.
Action plan: Enhancing the economic forces affecting Hamilton Street , retail market analysis, business retention and recruitment, real estate development.
Action taken:
• Low-interest loans for Facade Improvements
