National Main Street Center South Shore Chicago Urban Main Initiative Dionne Baux Director of Urban Programs National Main Street Center November 15, 2018 Images top to bottom: Fort Madison, Iowa,

Today’s Agenda: Purpose: National Main Street Center’s introductory meeting with South Shore Chamber of Commerce’s board to provide information about NMSC and the Chicago UrbanMain program, current work underway and complementary capacity building tool for district managers. Outcomes: Main Street America Urban Main Streets Launch of UrbanMain New cities South Shore UrbanMain UrbanMain Network Open discussion / next steps

National Main Street Center – Main Street America Main Street America is a program of the National Main Street Center. It is a national network of 1,000+ local affiliate organizations and 45 State, City, County-level Main Street Coordinating Programs. Main Street programs support revitalization of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts. The Main Street Approach equips local leaders and residents with a practical framework for improving the quality of life in their own communities. Main Street America is united by a commitment to revitalizing older and historic commercial districts, supporting strong local economies, and enhancing the distinctive character that makes communities attractive to residents, visitors and businesses.

National Main Street Center UrbanMain Initiative Photo: Orlando’s Audubon Park Garden District

Urban Main Streets Succeed Analysis of Performance of DC Main Street Programs Compared to Non- Main Street Programs, Prepared by Jon Stover & Associates, 2014 BOSTON BOYLSTON MAIN STREET The Main Street Approach has proven effective in the urban setting. A 2014 study by Jon Stover and Associates found that compared to commercial corridors that don’t participate in the Main Street Program, participating districts see approximately double the growth in the number of jobs and new businesses.

Main Street’s Urban Footprint Dozens of urban neighborhood commercial districts across the country are part of the Main Street America Network, from Boston to DC, to San Diego, to Orlando.

Existing Urban Main Street Programs Eci Existing Urban Main Street Programs BOSTON BOYLSTON MAIN STREET BALTIMORE CANTON MAIN STREET WASHINGTON DC H – STREET MAIN STREET Dozens of urban neighborhood commercial districts across the country are part of the Main Street America Network, from Boston to DC, to San Diego, to Orlando.

Launch of UrbanMain

New Cities / Partnerships Work Underway Baltimore, MD Birmingham, AL Milwaukee, WI Charlotte, NC Pontiac, MI Chicago, IL Salt Lake City, UT Pontiac, MI

Three Elements of the Urban Initiative Delivery of the “new” Main Street Approach in urban commercial districts, which includes efforts to pilot the Main Street Approach in a way that helps us understand how and if it should be implemented differently in an urban setting; and Delivery of specialized technical services for urban environments; A new network specifically designed for urban district practitioners.  We launched this network Spring of 2017 in Seattle and had participation from Main Street directors from several existing Coordinating Programs.

1. Delivery of Refresh in Urban Areas

2. South Shore UrbanMain UrbanMain 18-month process Fast Track Assessment Market assessment Organization assessment Community assessment Framework Development Community engagement Organizational development MS 101 training Transformation Strategy development Work Plan Development Implementing Change – the center will provide on-going support and project-specific assistance.

3. UrbanMain Network Access to a specialized network Exposure to a network of skilled-practitioners Opportunity to exchange knowledge, expertise, collaborate and secure tools & resources specifically targeted for urban neighborhood districts

3. UrbanMain Network Urban convening successfully launched the UrbanMain network. The purpose of the convening was to build relationships and ensure its usefulness and sustainability to urban district leaders. Participation Update: 11 or 34% Main Streets / 21 or 65% of non-Main Streets represented from 11 cities. 22 participants still loosely engaged. Developing membership benefits. 2018 recruitment of new cohort.

UrbanMain Network Topics Balancing/managing community & business engagement Cultural and ethnic diverse strategies in organizing distressed retail/commercial corridors Relationship/Partnership building / Diversified funding strategies

National Main Street Center Thank you! Dionne Baux Director of UrbanMain P: (312) 610 5618 dbaux@savingplaces.org National Main Street Center www.mainstreet.org