The economic decline witnessed by many of Kentucky's central business
districts over the past thirty years, threatened the many architecturally
and historically significant buildings in these downtowns. Based
on the need to preserve not only the buildings, but also the economic
vitality of a communities's downtown, the Kentucky Heritage Council
developed the Kentucky Main Street Program to assist communities with
revitalization efforts.
The Kentucky Main Street Program is based on a four-point approach developed
by the
National Main Street Center
, a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The four components of the program are: Organization, Promotion,
Design and Economic Restructuring. The goal of this program is
to encourage downtown revitalization and economic development within
the context of historic preservation.
Since 1979, this program has been a successful addition toward reversing
the economic decline in Kentucky's downtowns, both small and large.
Participation in this program requires local commitment and financial
support. A Main Street Manager administers the program locally through
a volunteer board. The Heritage Council provides technical and design
assistance, on-site visits, a resource center, national consultants
and grant funding. While many cities have seen immediate improvements,
the program establishes an effective organization that will continue
to monitor and guide revitalization efforts. It is primarily a self-help
program, locally administered and funded, with technical assistance
and guidance provided by the Heritage Council. The efforts center on
certain aspects of downtown revitalization. A public - private partnership
is developed which uses a comprehensive approach, relies on quality,
involves changing attitudes, focuses on existing assets, and is both
incremental in nature while being implementation oriented.
There are many reasons for revitalizing a downtown, but once the process
has begun communities note positive changes such as:
Renewed confidence in the downtown through an improved
image.
New job opportunities through the attraction of new buisnesses
and strenghthened service/retail markets.
Savings in tax dollars. Revitalization stabilizes and
improves the area's tax base, while protecting the investments already
made in the downtown.
A process that enables property owners to maintain historic
commercial buildings and preserve an important part of a community's
unique heritage.
Thresholds needed to be met for Developing a Successful Program:
When a broad consensus has been reached in the community
as to the importance and value of a viable downtown.
When community leaders understand and appreciate the
importance of economic development, not only in an industrial park,
but also in the downtown.
When community leaders understand Main Street's four-point
approach to downtown revitalization.
When the municipal government is committed to the project,
both with financial and human resources.
When the local chamber of commerce is supportive of the
effort.
When there is a community-wide commitment to preserving
local historic resources.
When there is a balance of need and potential in the
downtown area.
When projections indicate that the community will experience
continued growth.
If you are intersted in learning more about how the Kentucky Main Street
program might benefit your community contact
Roger Stapleton, State Coordinator
or visit one of the Main Street communities listed below.
Over thirty managers have undertaken training to become a "Certified
Kentucky Main Street Manager" - 19 graduated as Kentucky's first KCMM
(Kentucky Certified MainStreet Manager) class in November 2001 -
contact our office for more information on the certification process
and testing dates. The Kentucky Main Street Program is a program of
the Kentucky Heritage Council, an alliance member of the
Renaissance Kentucky
initative which is working to bring as many resources
as possible to address downtown issues.
To aid in the Revitalization of Downtowns the Kentucky Heritage Council,
partnered with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet developed the
Kentucky Streetscape Design Guidlines for Historic Commercial Districts,
authored by Ned Crankshaw.
The following is a 5 meg pdf file. You will need Adobe® Acrobat Reader to view
it:
Kentucky Streetscape Design Guidlines for Historic Commercial
Districts
London Main Street
Terina Collins, Mgr.
501 South Main Street
London, Kentucky 40743
606.862.8841
City of Olive Hill
Pati Porter, Comm. Dev. Coordinator
PO Box 1660, 255 Roger Patton Drive
Olive Hill, Kentucky 41164
606.286.5533