The Downtown Newark Partnership has been named a semi finalist for the 2011 Great American Main Street. Among the other semi finalists were:
Downtown Beloit, Inc., Beloit, Wisconsin
Boyne City Main Street Program, Boyne City, Michigan
Durant Mian Street, Durant, Oklahoma
Farmland Downtown Historic District, Farmland, Indiana
Downtown Fort Pierce, Fort Pierce, Florida
Hobart Main Street, Hobart, Oklahoma
Old Town Lansing, Lansing, Michigan
Main Street Marshfield, Marshfield, Wisconsin
Silver City Main Street Project, Silver City, New Mexico
The winners will be selected by a national jury consisting of former award winners, community development professionals, representatives from government and foundations, and journalists who are active in historical preservation and economic development.
The semi finalists will be judged on the following criteria, according to a release from the group:
Active involvement of both public and private sectors
Broad-based community support for the revitalization effort
Quality of achievements over time
Innovative solutions to significant problems
Commitment to historic preservation
Evolving track record of successful commercial district revitalization
Comprehensive revitalization effort: activity in all four points of the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization
Economic impact of the revitalization program
Successful small business development
The Greater Newark Partnership was formed in the 1990s to address various issues, including retaining and attracting merchants, marketing Main Street, architectural design and parking. It is comprised of the University of Delaware, local businesses and the City of Newark.
The Partnership consists of the following members:
Marilyn Minster, Chairwoman, owner of Minster’s Jewelers
Bob Ashby, Owner, Deer Park Tavern
Joe Charma, Design Committee Chairman, Partner, Landmark Engineering, Inc.
Fred DeMicco, Professor, University of Delaware Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management
Terry Foreman, Executive Director, Newark Arts Alliance
Vance A. Funk, III, Mayor, City of Newark
Ryan German, Owner, Caffe Gelato
Patrick T. Harker, President, University of Delaware
Katrine E. Hutchison, Branch Manager, Wilmington Trust Main Street Location
Roy H. Lopata, Planning & Development Director
Kristin Short, Company Manager, Grassroots Handcrafts
Kyle R. Sonnenberg, City Manager, City of Newark
Sally Miller, Parking Committee Chair, Resident
Doug Rainey, Publisher, Newark Post
Suzy Rogers, Resident
Ken Godwin, Partner, Klondike Kates and AISOS, LLC
Kay Snelling, Merchants Committee Chairwoman, owner of Gecko Fashions
Ron Walker, Former Executive Director and current member, New Castle Chamber of Commerce
Staff: Maureen Feeney Roser, Assistant Planning & Development
Director
Despite a severe economic downturn, Newarks’ Main Street has seen tens of million dollars in investment in renovated buildings, as well as an influx of retailers and restaurants. The partnership reported 15 new businesses came to downtown in the past year, including seven restaurants, seven retailers and one bank. More businesses will open in downtown next year, including a new Barnes and Noble bookstore for the University of Delaware.
What is often overlooked is how much development is taking place outside of Main Street. Elkton Road has also seen an influx of new businesses in recent years. Buffalo Wild Wings, Claymont Steak Shop, Saxby’s coffee and Louviers Credit Union are all now open and doing business on Elkton Road.
All the competitors should be congratulated for their hard work. It is good to have commuities, even in these difficult economic times, having the perserverence to promote economic development. Good luck to all of the semi finalists, but especially Newark!
You can watch Newark’s Video Submission here: