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Culture
Much Ado About Main Street
Fairfield County communities offer quaint alternatives to suburban sprawl
Officials in Bremen are interested in joining the Main Street Program. Right: Some communities are revitalizing their downtowns using the Main Street approach.In the early 20th century, downtown business districts helped drive Fairfield County’s economy. Today, the architecture in these historic sections defines the county, and at least three towns are working to preserve that small-town attraction.
Canal Winchester is part of the federal Main Street Program, an initiative developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which seeks to maintain historic structures and revitalize downtowns.
Canal Winchester has four committees dedicated to the four-pronged Main Street approach: design, economic restructuring, organization and promotions.
“They’re working on projects all the time,” says John Garrett, executive director, who has earned a certificate in Main Street management. “We’re making it a great place to live, work, shop and invest.”
The group sponsors programs and special events, including a farmer’s market and Christmas in the Village, both bringing lots of foot traffic into town. The activities also have renewed business interest in downtown.
About one-third of the group’s funding comes from local government, while the rest is raised through membership and fundraising activities.
In Lancaster, the Main Street effort sustains itself with a dedicated property tax assessment applied to a designated eight-block area known as the Special Improvement District.
Main Street Lancaster, which joined the state’s Main Street organization, known as Heritage Ohio, in 2005, is engaged in a plan to improve downtown parking. The group also recently received a grant to strengthen design guidelines for its buildings, many of which were constructed between 1860 and 1910.
“We hope to encourage landlords to improve and maintain the façades of their properties,” explains Jeff Siegler, executive director of Main Street Lancaster.
Property owners are being asked to preserve the original architecture of their structures.
“We have some truly unique structures which we hope to maintain and which are a tremendous asset to our community,” Siegler says.
The area has recently attracted several retailers, which are a vital addition to the existing service providers, such as attorneys and accountants’ offices.
New residential development is anticipated.
“I think we’ll see more condo development on the second and third stories,” Siegler says.
In Bremen, the Bremen Downtown Revitalization Program is moving forward to implement the four Main Street principles while the community applies to gain official Main Street status.
Its committee members also attend statewide meetings on downtown revitalization, says program director Melody Borchers.
Six new businesses have been recruited to downtown in recent months, and Borchers’ office continues to receive inquiries from business owners seeking a location there.
“Sometimes I feel like a Realtor,” she jokes.
Beautification is on the committee’s front burner, Borchers says. Bremen in Bloom is a flower bed/landscaping competition for downtown residents and businesses that has been so well received that volunteers have offered to maintain the landscaped areas.
The revitalization committee has held fundraisers, including a home tour and golf outing, to raise money for façade improvements. Business can now apply for matching funds for exterior projects.
Borchers says the committee is dedicated to seeking exterior funding sources rather than tap area businesses, and it will continue to apply for grants to improve the district.
Story by Pam George
Photo by Brian McCord
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