[OMS_MANAGERS] National Main Streets Conference Wrap-up

[Sheri Stuart]

“The future belongs to Main Streets. Let’s get ready for it.”  Edward
McMahon of Urban Land Institute delivered this rousing call to arms to
the 1200+ crowd of devoted Main Streeters at the Opening Plenary at the
National Main Streets Conference last week in Des Moines, Iowa. 
According to Ed McMahon, strip centers and urban sprawl are becoming
“retail for the last century.” Shifting demographics, evolving
technology, economic pressures, and new social mores are leading to
greater focus on mixed-use development, city centers, and — of course —
Main Streets. McMahon shared a number of interesting concepts during his
presentation: 
We’re at a bright line moment in history. The sustainability revolution
is the new industrial revolution. 
Historic preservation & Main Street are at the heart of sustainability.

Sense of place makes our physical surroundings worth caring about. 
The biggest development opportunity of the next 50 years will be
converting dead strip commercial centers into walkable mixed use
centers. 
The ‘placemaking dividend’ is about creating a place where people want
to stay, spend money, and come back. 
Watch the full plenary recording and enjoy McMahon’s energetic and
hopeful outlook for the next era of placemaking.

 In addition, Main Street director Doug Loescher shared the six key
themes from the 2011 State of Main Street Report: 
Main St. communities are holding steady. Despite lower investment, they
enjoy good economic health. 
Mom & pop shops are still struggling. Business development helps bottom
lines, but not necessarily job growth. 
A lot of the entrepreneurs are from out of town (and even pop up
overnight). 
Think “Hot Green.” Sustainability/smart growth/green issues continue to
mature. 
Government funding changes/cuts are affecting Main Streets all around
the country. 
The public has a growing interest in the Main Street cause, in large
part due to higher visibility in news & communities. 
 Note: Above was excerpted from the National Main Street website. Below
is a link to a video of the Opening Plenary Session.
 
http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/training/conference/2011-des-moines/virtual-attendee/

 
Congratulations to four of our Oregon Main Street communities who
received National Accreditation for their efforts in 2010:
Albany
Corvalls
McMinnville
Oregon City
Plus, Joan Wessell, director of the Corvallis Downtown Association, was
one of the 17 people acknowledged nationwide for her 20 years plus as a
main street manager.
 
 
Sheri Stuart, Coordinator
Oregon Main Street
725 Summer St., Suite C
Salem, OR  97301
503.986.0679
http://www.oregon4biz.com/Grow-Your-Business/Business-services/Main-Street/


 
 
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