| The Main Street Approach |
| Rediscover Lincoln Village... Milwaukee's Main Street Community |
| © 2005 - 2010 Lincoln Village Business Assn. |
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The Wisconsin Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization program designed to promote the
historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in Wisconsin. The Main Street Program
was established in 1987 to encourage and support the revitalization of downtowns in Wisconsin communities.
Each year, the Department of Commerce selects communities to join the program. These communities
receive technical support and training needed to restore their Main Streets to centers of community activity
and commerce.
The results in Wisconsin have been impressive. Wisconsin Main Street Programs have brought significant
numbers of new businesses and jobs to their respective downtowns. Facade improvements and building
rehabilitation projects have upgraded the image of Main Street. Promotional activities bring the community
together in a positive way.
The Four-Point Approach®
In 1980, the National Trust for Historic Preservation established the National Main Street Center to assist
nationwide downtown revitalization efforts. The Wisconsin Main Street Program is based on the Trust's
philosophy, which advocates restoration of the historic character of downtown while pursuing traditional
development strategies such as marketing, business recruitment and retention, real estate development,
market analysis, and public improvements.
There are no quick fixes for declining downtowns, but success can be realized through the comprehensive
and incremental approach of the Main Street Program.
Four elements combine to create this well balanced program:
The National Reinvestment Statistics
The cumulative success of the Main Street Approach has earned it a reputation as one of the most powerful
economic development tools in the nation. These statistics are tracked from 1980 to date and reflect activity
in more than 1,700 communities:
Total public and private reinvestment in physical improvements in Main Street communities: $17.0 Billion
Average reinvestment per community: $9,513,151
Net gain in businesses: 57,470
Net gain in jobs: 231,682
Number of building rehabilitations: 93,734
Reinvestment Ratio(ii): the average number of dollars generated in each community for every dollar used to
operate the local Main Street program: $40.35 reinvested for every $1 spent
Average program length: 7.11 years
Average cost per job created in a main street district: $2,394
Average cost per business created in a main street district: $9,651
Source: www.mainstreet.org
historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in Wisconsin. The Main Street Program
was established in 1987 to encourage and support the revitalization of downtowns in Wisconsin communities.
Each year, the Department of Commerce selects communities to join the program. These communities
receive technical support and training needed to restore their Main Streets to centers of community activity
and commerce.
The results in Wisconsin have been impressive. Wisconsin Main Street Programs have brought significant
numbers of new businesses and jobs to their respective downtowns. Facade improvements and building
rehabilitation projects have upgraded the image of Main Street. Promotional activities bring the community
together in a positive way.
The Four-Point Approach®
In 1980, the National Trust for Historic Preservation established the National Main Street Center to assist
nationwide downtown revitalization efforts. The Wisconsin Main Street Program is based on the Trust's
philosophy, which advocates restoration of the historic character of downtown while pursuing traditional
development strategies such as marketing, business recruitment and retention, real estate development,
market analysis, and public improvements.
There are no quick fixes for declining downtowns, but success can be realized through the comprehensive
and incremental approach of the Main Street Program.
Four elements combine to create this well balanced program:
- Organization involves building a Main Street framework that is well represented by civic groups,
merchants, bankers, citizens, public officials, and chambers of commerce. Everyone must work
together to renew downtown. A strong organization provides the stability to build and maintain a long-
term effort. - Design enhances the attractiveness of the business district. Historic building rehabilitations, street
and alley clean-ups, colorful banners, landscaping and lighting all improve the physical image of the
downtown as a quality place to shop, work, walk, invest in, and live. Design improvements result in a
reinvestment of private and public dollars into the downtown. - Economic Restructuring 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 traditional merchants are examples of economic restructuring
activities. - Promotion creates excitement downtown. Street festivals, parades, retail events, and image
development campaigns are some of the ways Main Street encourages consumer traffic in the
downtown. Promotion involves marketing an enticing image to shoppers, investors, and visitors.
The National Reinvestment Statistics
The cumulative success of the Main Street Approach has earned it a reputation as one of the most powerful
economic development tools in the nation. These statistics are tracked from 1980 to date and reflect activity
in more than 1,700 communities:
Total public and private reinvestment in physical improvements in Main Street communities: $17.0 Billion
Average reinvestment per community: $9,513,151
Net gain in businesses: 57,470
Net gain in jobs: 231,682
Number of building rehabilitations: 93,734
Reinvestment Ratio(ii): the average number of dollars generated in each community for every dollar used to
operate the local Main Street program: $40.35 reinvested for every $1 spent
Average program length: 7.11 years
Average cost per job created in a main street district: $2,394
Average cost per business created in a main street district: $9,651
Source: www.mainstreet.org