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Minnesota Main Street Fact Sheet Minnesota Main Street is an economic development program empowering communities that seek to capitalize on the unique assets and character of our historic downtowns. We assist and promote local revitalization efforts based on the Four Point ApproachT"^ developed by the National Trust's Main Street Center. History of the National Main Street Program In response to growing economic woes and threats to Main Street commercial architecture, the National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP), launched the pilot version of the national Main Street program in 1977. Since then, the program has become a proven small town and urban commercial corridor economic development program, leveraging over $40 billion in public and private investment. The Main Street program is a comprehensive commercial revitalization strategy that helps communities preserve some of their most significant assets-their historic buildings. NTHP has developed the Main Street Four Point ApproachT"", tailored to local needs and opportunities: _~, Austin, Minnesota -Circa 1937 Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society Credit: St. Paul Dispatch & Pioneer Press, ca. 1937 • Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging compatible infill, and developing sensitive design management systems. • Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalization process. • Promotion: Marketing the traditional commercial district's assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens, and visitors. • Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the district's existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities.1 For urban Main Street programs, there is a fifth Approach: • Public Safety: Reducing crime and the perception of crime is a precondition for revitalizing neighborhood commercial districts.Z The Main Street Approach advocates "community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, apedestrian- friendlyenvironment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.i3 The program measures success with indicators such as job creation, building permits, construction dollars, Convention and Visitors Bureau counts, and building renovation and new construction projects 1 From National Main Street Center Fact Sheet, see: http://www.mainstreet.org. Z Seidman, Karl. "Revitalizing Commerce for American Cities: A Practitioner's Guide to Urban Main Street Programs." Washington, DC: Fannie Mae Foundation, September, 2004. 6. 3 National Main Street Center website, see: http://www.mainstreet.org