Volunteer Development/Communications/Public Relations/Fundraising

Revitalization is a total community effort. To be successful, a local program must organize many different public and private sectors of the community to unite for the common goal of a better downtown/neighborhood. Groups and individuals typically involved in Main Street programs include business people, merchants, property owners, local government, financial institutions, industry, clergy, schools, utilities, residents and civic groups. Building the organization’s capacity with enough people, funds and local enthusiasm to implement the program is critical to successful district revitalization.

 

So what does the ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE do?

• Focus on promoting ReStore as an organization/its events and programs, promoting Historic District;
• developing internal communication channels for ReStore committees and members;
• creating more public awareness to increase membership and gain volunteers; seek funding opportunities

Meeting Schedule: Changes monthly.

What we’re currently working on:

• Quarterly newsletter; developing promotional materials for ReStore (brochure, membership application, packages, etc.) as well as materials marketing the Historic District
• Discussed seeking grants and other funds. Will check with other Main Street Communities to get ideas.

Anyone wishing to join this Committee, please contact ReStore Marietta, restoremariettaoh@gmail.com

Promotion Committee

Marketing Strategy/Image Development/Retail Promotions/Special Events

Promotions Objective: (Main Street Four Point Approach) Promotions involves marketing the downtown’s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, tourist and others.

Effective promotions create a positive image of the downtown through retail promotional activity and special events utilizing the downtown as a stage area of community activities.

Anyone wishing to join the Promotions Committee, please contact ReStore Marietta, restoremariettaoh@gmail.com

Public Spaces/Building Improvements/Design Education/Enforcement

Is focused on improving downtown’s image by enhancing its physical appearance. We are passionate about historic preservation and seek to encourage, educate and facilitate realistic preservation. The physical appearance of buildings as well as streetscapes, lighting, signage, sidewalks and green space are important aspects for our committee.

What we’re currently working on:

1. Establishing meeting times/location and get a solid, well rounded group together and also have a co-chair of this committee.
2. Have begun to collect reference material to establish a library.
3. Establishing a group for design advice/education for property owners.
4. Establising a procedure for issuing certificates of appropriateness.

Anyone wishing to join the Design Committee, please contact ReStore Marietta, restoremariettaoh@gmail.com

Market Research/Business Assistance/Financial Assistance/Property Development

Mission: To inventory residential and commercial space in the historic shopping district; to identify and solicit new residents and retailers in support of property owners and businesses in the district; to assist in generating traffic to these downtown areas by supporting events and other outreach.

Meet: Every third Tuesday of the month at The Galley, 2nd Floor rear, 12:30 PM

To Date: This committee has completed Phase 1 of the inventory. We are currently exploring ways that Phase 2 can be completed and marketed with the help of the real estate community

Seeking: Energetic committee members who have a passion about these vital tasks, and in building momentum in the historic shopping districts in Marietta and Harmar Village.

Anyone wishing to join the Economic Restructuring Committee, please contact ReStore Marietta, restoremariettaoh@gmail.com

 

Downtown Ohio, Inc. DART Visit Report for Marietta (June 8, 2005) spent one and half days in the City of Marietta to assess the downtown district’s revitalization needs and opportunities. The assessment process had several functions:

• To identify some of the commercial district’s major challenges, opportunities, and needs:
• To provide community members with information about the Main Street approach to commercial district revitalization;
• To learn whether the Main Street Approach is an appropriate strategy for the City of Marietta; and
• To determine Marietta’s readiness and potential to embrace the Main Street program.

The following describes the Team’s observations of the organizational situation in downtown Marietta:

1. Washington County/Marietta has 17 agencies currently engaged in economic development. Turf issues are evident.
2. There are currently 3 separate merchant associations, with separate funding.
3. The mayor is a strong advocate for downtown revitalization and the Main Street Approach.
4. There were no current city council members or county commissioners present at the DART visit. One current city council member came at the end of the day to show her support.
5. Broad based community support for revitalization was evident through public representation and the interest expressed by residents, building owners and business owners throughout the course of the DART visit.
6. The existing tourism market may be the strongest component, with much organization of resources and marketing already underway.
7. Marietta’s strong local history is perhaps its greatest asset.

The following describes the Team’s observations of the design elements within the downtown district of Marietta:

1. Tourism accounts for nearly $180 million to the local economy; most of that tourism is centered in or around the downtown area.
2. Marietta’s primary services are located in or near the core of downtown: town hall, library, post office, financial centers, county courthouse, churches, etc. Keeping these services downtown shouldn’t be taken for granted.
3. There are beautiful green spaces in downtown.

The following describes the Team’s observations of the promotional situation in downtown Marietta:

1. The target area for the downtown seems to be up for discussion, and not clearly defined.This lack of definition has brought with it a number of organizations that have specific functions, possible making it more difficult to have a unified image and promotions program for downtown Marietta.
2. From all accounts the Merchants and Artists walk is very successful during the months of June, July, and August. It is great to be able to host a retail event for your merchants and disguise it as nothing more than a good time to walk through the downtown enjoying local art and refreshments.
3. Heritage tourism is quickly becoming a top tourism attraction, and Marietta is leaps and bounds ahead of most communities in promoting their heritage. The tour given to the DART Group is a wonderful way for tourists to experience the downtown and the areas surrounding the downtown.
4. The river is also one of the best promotional tools available to the community. Having a body of water so near the downtown leaves the door wide open to large-scale promotional events.
5. The citizens of Marietta exhibited the most hospitable attitude that we have seen in Ohio. The mayor’s mantra of calling Marietta the “Charlestown of Ohio” is truly correct. We have never felt more welcome and been treated with more “southern charm” as we were in Marietta. The fact that even the children stopped their play on the playground to wave at the trolley shows a grace and charm not always evident in Ohio’s small towns. Every citizen we came in contact with smiled, waved and said “hello” or “welcome”. This is definitely something worth promoting—it is truly unique!

The following describes the Team’s observations of the economic conditions of Marietta:

1. The downtown is typical of many small communities with a mix of government, financial, and small retail businesses.
2. The district has been well maintained by the city with landscaping in place, attractive period lighting, and ample parking.
3. There are some vacancies in buildings but most are occupied. Upper floor utilization is sporadic but efforts are underway by some building owners to develop second and third stories having multiple tenant mixes.
4. There are many groups/organizations doing economic development. During group discussions it became apparent that there was no one voice for downtown economic development. The various groups need to come together and determine who is now doing what and why. This information should then be reviewed with a goal of establishing an Economic Restructuring Committee to coordinate economic development in the downtown.
5. We were told that legislation was being developed for historic preservation and design. However, there is currently nothing in place to protect the historic assets in the downtown.
6. The downtown benefits from local tourism. Several individuals and community leaders brought up this issue on many occasions. As Marietta considers its downtown’s future direction care should be given as how to best attract additional tourists. Many business owners indicated that tourism was down about 30% or more from prior years.

ReStore Marietta will stimulate economic vitality, enhance the visual appearance, and improve the quality of life in Marietta through the promotion of our Historic Community as a great to live, work, shop, and invest.

What exactly is “Main Street”? It is the name of a program that has been developed to help towns achieve revitalization. In simplest terms, “Main Street” is a recipe for economic rejuvenation. It has eight key principles upon which its success has been built.

The Eight Principles of the Main Street Approach:

1. Take a comprehensive approach
2. Do things incrementally
3. Realize success depends on local “boot strap” efforts
4. Develop public and private partnerships
5. Capitalize on existing assets
6. Do everything the best quality you can
7. Acknowledge that progress requires change in attitudes and procedures and finally
8. Accept the fact that activity creates confidence – don’t wait, get started on the plan as soon as possible”.

For more information on the Main Street Program visit www.mainstreet.org.