Uniontown Main Street has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center. Each year, the National Trust and its partners announce the list of Accredited Main StreetÒ programs that have built strong revitalization organizations and demonstrate their ability in using the Main Street Four-Point ApproachÒ methodology for strengthening their local economy and protecting their historic buildings.
“We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards,” says Doug Loescher, director for he National Trust Main Street Center. “Accredited Main Street programs are meeting the challenges of the recession head on and are successfully using a focused, comprehensive revitalization strategy to keep their communities vibrant and sustainable.”
The organization’s performance is annually evaluated by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, which works in partnership with the National Trust Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet 10 performance standards. These standards set the benchmarks for measuring an individual Main Street program’s application of the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization. Evaluation criteria determines the communities that are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings. For more information on the national program accreditation program, visit http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/about-main-street/the-programs/national-programs.html .
Looking back, we realize how busy the office has been. Main Street Uniontown partnered with Elm Street and hosted the Western Region Managers’ Meeting in Uniontown in October. In response to the PA Downtown Center’s movement toward property ownership and becoming stakeholders in the downtown, We have studied the principles and practices of real estate and joined the Keystone Core Services as one of its Board of Directors. “2011 is even more promising”. “The level of activity continues to grow exponentially. We’re proud of the program and all we have been able to accomplish. Main Street Programs are volunteer driven. We couldn’t do it without the help of PLENTY of committed people.”
Uniontown Main Street’s Promotions Committee, chaired by Sue Quinn, is the promoter of the Storey Square Summer Concert Series. The committee also hosts Uniontown’s Lite Up Nite celebration that received the Herald Standard Community Choice Award for “Best Winter Event”. The committee, also administered the Gifts of Warmth collection for donations of gloves, scarves, hats, socks, and coats, and hosted the 6th Annual Magical Cookie Tour.
The Design Committee, chaired by Donna Holdorf completed a downtown banner project, and partnered with the Green Gardeners to decorate the streets lights with pine boughs, gold ornaments, and twinkle lights for the holiday season. The Façade Challenge Grant Program assisted with plans and grants for Frank’s Auto Supermarket, The Tonsorial Parlor, John & John Law Office, Neubauer’s Market House, The State Theatre for the Arts, Pepperberries, Cantalamessa’s formals, and Mill Street Square.
The Economic Restructuring Committee, Chaired by Brandon Katzeff compiled and analyzed a comprehensive intercept survey with the help of Boy Scout Troop 602 and George Teslovich III, an Eagle Scout. A total of 307 respondents provided the Main Street Program with data about customers’ perceptions, downtown workers’ preferences, and merchants’ wishes.
The Organizational Committee, then chaired by Bernard John welcomed six new businesses including Caporella’s Restaurant that located in the train station on Pittsburgh Street, Arts & Angles on Peter Street, Graft Unlimited on Fayette Street, Kimberly Kovach on Morgantown Street, and Plus Sexy Clothes on Gallatin Avenue. Under the director of Sam Shaaban principal at NuRelm and Peggy Grimes, Main Street’s IT specialist the Main Street website was launched. The Organizational Committee, being responsible for program sustainability, received grant funding through the Community Foundation of Fayette County, PA Partner in the Arts and local businesses like Senior Life. We’re profoundly thankful for the support from our colleagues. Their generosity bolsters Main Street Program activities.
For more information about the Main Street Program and associated volunteer opportunities, contact the Main Street Program at 724-438-4289 or email at mainstreet@uniontownredevelopment.com . Check out the website at www.mainstreetuniontown.com .