Main Street Forum, March 9th at 3pm

[SPAR Council]

William Cesery, developer and Springfield stakeholder, is hosting a Main Street Forum, this Friday, March 9th at 3pm at the 3rd & Main complex. Please attend and provide your input!

MAIN STREET INITIATIVE

You are invited to a forum on Friday, March 9 at 3pm on the establishment of a Jacksonville Main Street Initiative. Please come to the Third and Main Event Center, 1303 Main Street, to have an open discussion on implementing a collaborative program that is designed to help revitalization efforts in historic, urban commercial districts.

Downtown, Springfield and MetroNorth are all active with redevelopment efforts by residents, business owners, neighborhood groups, the City of Jacksonville and other interested stakeholders, and that work is leading to revitalization opportunities that can take advantage of shared assets and resources. The National Trust's Main Street program is a proven model for revitalizing historic business districts and a powerful network of linked communities. We want you to come hear more about it and join in the discussion about forming a Main Street Initiative focused on continued revitalization of Jacksonville's Main Street.

You can find more information about the Main Street program at http://www.preservationnation.org/main- ... in-street/.

This will be an interesting and exciting conversation about the future collaboration Jacksonville's Urban Core revitalization. RSVP by calling 904-396-9601.

[markusic]

This is great unfortunately, a lot of us business owners can't take off the time in the middle of the day any more than many who work for someone else. This would be a much more productive meeting if it was held when everyone who is interested could attend.

A common problem with public meetings here in Jacksonville. It makes it seem you really do not want people to attend.

[fsu813]

Summary of the Main Street meeting held yestetday, hosted by Bill Cesery:

He and Eddie Johnson are forming a non-profit to promote development & support business on Main Street, from Downtown up to the Evergreen Cemetary area.

It will be initially housed under MetroNorth, until they get 501c3 status.

The mission of the entity is to facilitate, recruit, and support business/development on Main Street. A one-stop-shop for all techincal business matters in the area. Their goal is to have substantially improve the market for Main Street with-in 5 years.

They have identified 4 committees and will be selecting a Board soon. They will fundraise for an Executive Director, as well as have paid memberships.

They'll have another public meeting about 60 days out, after more is settled, but just wanted to get feedback and start spreading the word.

[Gloria]

excellent!!

I suggest keeping commercial mothballing in mind as well. Developed it, and if it can't be, preserve it. This should be our goal.

[markusic]

Good news. Main Street needs this fresh start.

[Debbie Thompson]

Excellent! Two well-known local contractors/developers with a good track record, teaming with a successful CDG to our near north for a kick start.

In a few years, a nice little, quirky shopping area of local boutique stores, bakeries, etc. like Five Points or the Shoppes of Avondale is definitely not outside the realm of possibility.

Thank you Bill and Eddie for taking this on. We all wish much success to this effort.

[nvrenuf]

Awesome, hoping for much success. Just curious how their mission/goals differ from SAMBA? Is theirs to support new biz whereas SAMBA supports existing?