BIDA Committees
The Main Street Four-Point Approach™ is a comprehensive strategy that is tailored to meet local needs and opportunities. It encompasses work in four distinct areas — Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotion, and Organization — that are combined to address all of the commercial district's needs. The Main Street Approach™ advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.
ORGANIZATION involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a Main Street™ revitalization program. A governing board and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of the volunteer-driven program. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid program director as well. This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.
Activities:
- Strategic Planning
- Volunteer Development
- Community Participation
- Communications
- Fundraising & Membership
PROMOTION sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play, and invest in the Main Street™ district. Marketing a district's unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners, and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers. These activities improve consumer and investor confidence in the district and encourage commercial activity and investment in the area.
Activities:
- Marketing Strategy
- Image Building
- Retail Promotions
- Special Events
DESIGN means getting Main Street™ into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets, such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets, is just part of the story. An inviting atmosphere, created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.
Activities:
- Public Spaces
- Building Improvements
- Design Education
ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. The Main Street™ program helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruits compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today's consumers' needs. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district.
Activities:
- Market Research
- Business Assistance
- Property Development
If you would like to participate on a committee, please contact BIDA at 842-2982, or at office@bainbridgedowntown.org.