Resource: Assessment Action

V.2.6 Attracting Development and Business

Action

Provide a warm welcome for developers and businesses by making it easy to access information regarding community vision, regulations, permitting, available economic incentives and demographics.

Why

Be stage setters! You want developers and businesses to invest in, and become part of, your Main Street community! Giving them the experience of a “one stop shop” makes your Main Street and your community all that much more appealing. This is often the first experience they’ll have with you and  their success will be supported by what you provide to them in these early stages.

How

1. Be clear and intentional with the community’s (or Main Street’s) plan or vision. Communicate that vision so developers and businesses know what you’re looking for. 
2. Create economic incentives and update zoning regulations and permitting processes to remove barriers for businesses and developers
3. Make information easily accessible online for developers and businesses
4. Delegate a point person to coordinate the process for permitting and approvals

Resources

• Developing Your Main Street Action Plan [50 minute webinar] 
• How to Fill Vacant Storefronts [59 minute webinar] 
• Tax Increment Financing Districts [60 minute webinar]
• Moving from Crisis to Recovery [54 minute webinar]
• Streamline the License and Permit Process Blog Post
• Metro Hartford Alliance Site Prep Checklist and Data Sources 
• CT Data

V.2.3 Vacant Storefronts

Action

Develop a plan for programming and filling vacant storefronts.

Why

Programming storefronts engages the community and drives foot traffic to the downtown and helps create a dynamic, positive environment, even when there are vacancies. Filling those vacant storefronts increases property values, increases foot traffic, builds local economic value, provides necessary and desired goods and services and ensures the vibrancy the community is looking for.

How

Developing an inventory of vacant storefronts, that includes notes about ownership, available space, and other pertinent information is a good first step. It may also be helpful to utilize real estate listings and do a walking tour to identify vacant properties. Working with the landlord and other nearby businesses, utilize the vacancy inventory to make a plan for programming and filling vacancies. Other natural partners are the local Arts Council, Economic Development Commission and Chamber of Commerce.

1. Complete a Main Street Market Analysis
2. Write down your “wish list” of businesses desired in vacant storefronts in line with the market analysis
3. Create engaging window displays and/or are programmed with pop up events
4. Encourage owners to prepare vacant space to “vanilla box” ready for future tenants
5. Make incentives, such as local grants, available to property owners and businesses for facade and interior improvements or to cover other business start up costs

Resources

• How to Fill Vacant Storefronts [59 minute webinar] 
• Saving Downtowns with Small Scale Manufacturing [26 minute podcast]
• Small Things That Make a Difference [51 minute webinar] 
• How to Collect, Maintain, and Leverage Your Main Street Inventories [35 minute webinar]
• Inventory Presentation Slides [PDF]
• Main Street Inventory Quick Reference [PDF]

V.2.2 Vacant Lots

Action

Develop a plan for maintaining, programming and reusing vacant lots. 

Why

Cleaning, maintaining, programming and developing vacant properties can completely transform a space. Taking this action can increase the feeling of safety, reduce negative perception, invite people to spend more time in our Main Street areas and will further encourage investment in our communities. 

How

Creating an inventory of vacant parcels, that includes notes about ownership, size, known environmental contamination and other pertinent information is a good first step. The local municipal Assessors Office and Land Use Office may be a resource for this information. It may also be helpful to utilize real estate listings and do a walking tour to identify vacant properties. Other natural partners are the local departments of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Arts Council, Economic Development Commission and Chamber of Commerce. Together a community can prioritize properties, then create a plan and budget to clean, maintain, program and reuse vacant properties.

Resources

• Small Things That Make a Difference [51 minute webinar] 
• How to Collect, Maintain, and Leverage Your Main Street Inventories [35 minute webinar]
• Inventory Presentation Slides [PDF]
• Main Street Inventory Quick Reference [PDF]

V.2.1.3 Preservation Ethic

Action

Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of historic preservation. Create relationships, policies, training opportunities and incentives that support the district’s historic preservation goals.

Why

As with any community effort, having a support system in place for historic preservation goals will ensure success! Without the support of community involvement, knowledge, local policies, strong partnerships and funding the complexity of historic preservation can be overwhelming.

How

First, consider who your partners might be and do some outreach. Local property owners and community members, cultural organizations, municipal leaders and land use offices, the nearby Historical Society and State of Connecticut DECD and SHPO offices are all good partners. Seek out training opportunities for those interested in preservation efforts. Work with state, town and other organizations to create local plans and policies that support these efforts. Does the community have an Adaptive Reuse regulation or a Tax Increment Financing plan that supports restoration and reuse of historic properties? Learn about what grant funds are available for priority projects and consider ways to secure annual funding.

Resources

• Historic Preservation as an Economic Development Tool  [60 minute webinar]
• Establishing Municipal Cultural Districts [88 minute webinar]
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) [66 minute webinar] 
• How to Support Adaptive Reuse of Historic Buildings 
• CT State Historic Preservation Office
• Preservation CT

V.2.1.2 Status of Historic Building Preservation

Action

Restore identified historic buildings so they are made safe for occupancy and adaptively reused.

Why

While historic buildings are important to preserve for their architectural and physical contributions to Main Street, the real benefit comes from reuse of the space. Economic vitality, community connections, vibrancy and new activity all happen when these special places are brought back to life.

Resources

• How to Collect, Maintain, and Leverage Your Main Street Inventories [35 minute webinar]
• Inventory Presentation Slides [PDF]
• Main Street Inventory Quick Reference [PDF]
• CT State Historic Preservation Office
• Preservation CT