city news
december
Vernonia Takes First Step In “Main Street Program”
The City of Vernonia will kick
off its investigation into the Oregon
Main Street Program on December 15,
2009, at 6:30 at City Hall. This “kick
off” will be in conjunction with the regu-
lar community Economic Development
Committee meeting. Bob Young, Verno-
nia City Administrator, and Bill Haack,
Economic Recovery Manager for Co-
lumbia Pacific Economic Develop-
ment District, will facilitate discussions
among an ad hoc committee composed
of members from the Vernonia Chamber
of Commerce, the Vernonia Economic
Development Committee, and Vernonia
Pride.
Main Street programs are de-
signed to improve all aspects of the
downtown or central business district,
producing both tangible and intangible
benefits. Improving economic manage-
ment, strengthening public participation,
and making downtown a fun place to
visit are as critical to Main Street’s fu-
ture as recruiting new businesses, reha-
bilitating buildings, and expanding park-
ing. Building on downtown’s inherent
assets — rich architectural design, long
standing businesses alongside new ven-
tures and services, traditional values
and, most of all, a sense of place — the
Main Street approach has rekindled en-
trepreneurship, downtown cooperation
and civic concern across the USA. It has
earned national recognition as a practi-
cal strategy appropriately scaled to a
community’s local resources and condi-
tions. And because it is a locally-driven
program, all initiative stems from local
issues and concerns.
ciples that pertain to all areas of the unique. Every district has unique quali-
revitalization effort:
ties – like distinctive buildings and hu-
man scale that give people a sense of be-
Comprehensive. Commercial district longing or businesses that have become
revitalization is a complex process and local institutions. Main Street cannot
cannot be accomplished through a single create new landmarks or institutions;
project. For successful and lasting re- existing local assets must serve as the
sults, a comprehensive approach must foundation for all aspects of the revital-
be used. Simply stated, comprehensive ization program.
means working on all four points simul- Quality. Quality must be emphasized
taneously.
in every aspect of the revitalization pro-
Incremental. Small projects and simple gram. This applies equally to each el-
activities lead to a more sophisticated ement of the program, from storefront
understanding of the revitalization pro- design to promotional campaigns to edu-
cess and help develop skills so that more cational programs.
complex problems can be addressed and Change. Changes in attitude and prac-
more ambitious projects undertaken. tice are necessary to improve current
Starting with small projects creates prog- economic conditions. Public support for
ress and momentum at the same time.
change will build as the program grows.
Self-help. Local leaders must have the Implementation-Oriented. Activity
desire and the will to make the project creates confidence in the program and
successful. The NMSC provides direc- greater levels of participation. Frequent,
tion, ideas and training; but continued visible changes are a reminder that the
and long-term success depends upon revitalization process is underway.
the involvement and commitment of the Small projects at the beginning of the
community.
program pave the way for larger activi-
Public/Private Partnerships. Both the ties as the revitalization effort matures.
public and private sectors have a vital in-
terest in the economic health and physi- The Four Points
cal stability of the district. Each sector
The four-point methodology
has a role to play, and each must under- works to create a total image for the
stand the other’s strengths and limita- community: Providing the retail/pro-
tions so that an effective partnership can fessional area with its necessary market
be forged.
niche, creating a cohesive visual identity
Identifying and Capitalizing on Ex- unique to the community, and nurturing
isting Assets. Business districts must a cultural ambiance associated with the
capitalize on the assets that make them community’s location, appearance, and
The Eight Principles
While the Main Street approach
provides the format for successful revi-
talization, implementation of the four-
point approach is based on eight prin-
2009
9
way of life. The Main Street Approach
gradually builds on existing resources
and fosters improved community leader-
ship and support on behalf of the Down-
town Business District for the long term.
Organization is the building of consen-
sus and cooperation between the groups
that play a role in the downtown. Many
individuals and organizations in the
community have a stake in the economic
viability of the downtown.
Design involves improving the down-
town’s image by improving its physical
appearance – not just the appearance
of buildings, but also of street lights,
window displays, parking areas, signs,
sidewalks, streetscapes, landscaping,
promotional materials and all other el-
ements that convey a visual message
about what the downtown is and what it
has to offer.
Promotion involves marketing the
downtown’s unique characteristics to
shoppers, investors, new businesses,
tourists, and others. Effective promo-
tion creates a positive image of the
downtown through retail promotional
activity and special events utilizing the
downtown as a stage area of community
activities.
Economic Restructuring involves
strengthening the existing economic
base of the downtown while diversifying
it. Economic Restructuring activities in-
clude helping existing downtown busi-
nesses expand, recruiting new business-
es, providing a balanced mix, converting
unused space into productive property,
and sharpening the competitiveness of
downtown merchants.
The City of Vernonia plans to
provide updates monthly as they make
progress to a renewed sense of purpose
in the Downtown district.
City Committee Members Needed
Volunteer Committee Members are needed for Vernonia City
Committees. There are currently two vacant positions on both
the Cemetery and Airport Committees. If you are interested in
learning more about how you might serve your community on
these vital citizen advisory committees, please contact Joanne
Glass at City Hall at 502-429-5291.
US Bank made two grant awards to the Vernonia Community in November.
(Above) Vicky Rice and Nicole Larke present Dawn Plewes from the Vernonia
School District with a check for the Vernonia School Foundation for $3500.
(Below) George Gans from the Vernonia Senior Center received a check for
$1500 towards construction of their new facility. Pictured from left are US Bank
personnel Julie Allen, Vicky Rice and Nicole Larke.
Stocked & Ready
for Christmas!
25% OFF any one item
will include set-ups
expires
12/31/09
excludes dog & cat food
one coupon per customer
Custom Arrangements
(503) 429-2000
www.VernoniaFlorist.com
Lisa@VernoniaFlorist.com
Pet Supplies & Grooming
(503) 429-PETS (7387)
www.CreaturesPetShop.com
Ben-n-Lisa@CreaturesPetShop.com
Open Monday thru Saturday, 10AM to 6PM Closed Sundays
736 Bridge Street, Vernonia
Visa/Mastercard Accepted
