FACTS OF LIFE ABOUT COMMERCIAL DISTRICT REVITILIZATION

• There is no magic bullet, no formulas, no big fix answers, nor easy solutions.
• There are no handouts. Most traditional government and foundation grants shun projects that involve commercial enterprises, and the days of urban renewal's big fix projects are gone.
• Most resources are local. Whether you need people or money to make projects happen, they are most likely to be found in the community, and YOU must find them.
• Some change will be needed. Most traditional commercial districts will never again be able to provide the range of goods and services they offered decades ago. To support the rehabilitation and maintenance of commercial areas in today's market, we must aggressively expand Main Street's business mix — and its market area.
• We can't do it alone. Main Street is not city hall's responsibility, but independent businesses owners can't do it alone either, and neither can citizen activists. A collaborative effort, combining the unique skills and vantage points of public and private sectors, is essential.
• Revitalization won't happen overnight. It is a gradual process that begins with small steps, eventually building capacity to tackle larger, more complicated revitalization projects and problems. "Big fix" solutions to commercial district revitalization almost always fail to bring the kind of lasting, positive change that they promise.
• The process is never finished. Traditional commercial districts, like shopping malls or industrial parks, require full-time, professional management.
• You are just as qualified as anyone else to make it happen. Thousands of concerned citizens and business owners make a difference in revitalizing their downtowns and commercial districts just by stepping up to help, regardless of experience or background. We can provide the tools to help you help your district.