Main Street program on right path

Ortonville- The village appears to be on the fast track to success after two-and-a-half years as a Main Street community.
Main Street Oakland County officials visited Feb. 8 for a 2006 year-end evaluation of the program.
‘They said we’re doing well and they believe we will be recertified as a Main Street community,? said Downtown Development Authority Executive Director and Main Street Manager Janine Saputo. ?(Communities) don’t usually get recertified so quickly.?
The village was named as a Main Street community in 2004 and is one of a dozen downtowns in the county to be part of the MS program, begun in 1980 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as an economic development program with a historic preservation-based philosophy.
Main Street communities receive assistance from experts such as architects, planners, retailers, former downtown managers, county staff, national trust staff and more. They assist the village in a variety of ways including helping the community receive grant money.
The ten criterion used to evaluate progress in Main Street communities are: broad-based community support; vision and mission statements; comprehensive work plan; historic preservation ethic; active board and committees; adequate operating budget; paid, professional DDA/Main Street Program Director; program of ongoing training; reporting of key statistics; and Main Street Network membership.
Volunteers representing the four Main Street committees? promotions, design, organization, and economic restructuring? set up displays in the Old Town Hall during the day-long visit and discussed progress that has been made in the past year. Accomplishments include a work plan for Beets, Beats and Eats and the increasing popularity of the summer-long Friday night event, as well as Creekfest and Night at the Movies; completion of an inventory of commerical buildings and parcels within the downtown; work with two business owners on possible facade improvements; implementation of a corporate sponsorship program to raise funds for Main Street projects and events; and completion of a market survey to discover what local residents are interested in for the downtown.
Saputo said the MSOC representatives were impressed by the displays, workplans and enthusiasm shown by the volunteers.
‘What made the day so successful were the volunteers who gave their time to meet with Main Street Oakland County and showcase the program’s accomplishments and discuss future plans and more,? she said.
The village will receive results of the evaluation around the first week of March. Recertification will mean continuation in the National Main Street program with use of MSOC technical services to revitalize Ortonville.

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