Our Current View
September 28, 2008
THE FLORIDA MAIN STREET CONFERENCE
On September 17, representatives of Main Street communities across Florida gathered in Venice for three days of educational and networking opportunities.
Reviewing the workshops I attended provides a glimpse into what’s on the minds of folks charged with revitalization of historic downtown districts throughout the state.
First, David Sucher, author of City Comforts: How to Build an Urban Village reviewed “The Three Rules of Main Street.” In a nutshell, cities should “build to the sidewalk,” make building fronts “permeable,” and prohibit parking lots in front of buildings. I can’t wait to find out more about “air curtains” that hold in air conditioning while leaving the façade of a building invitingly open.
The promise of saving valuable time lured me to “Beyond Google Advantage” where I picked up several useful tips to control what often feels like information overload while performing searches on Google, especially for news items, as well as tips on “the invisible Web” and free resources. (The presenters broke up their information deluge by inserting five “rock quiz” questions at key intervals. By correctly answering three of them, I garnered enough chocolate prizes to get me through the entire afternoon!)
Next came a detailed overview of government regulations that affect a new business. Yikes. Now I understand why cities that work to remove hurdles for potential businesses become attractive potential locations.
A National Trust Main Street Center program officer shared a wealth of knowledge along with key strategies to benefit from cultural strengths in a presentation titled “Utilizing Multicultural Assets.”
Human dynamo Mark Toombs presented “Networking and Visibility,” explaining internal and external strategies and techniques that, among other things, define how an organization is seen by others. A class exercise provided me opportunity to meet Kim McCarthy, Main Street board member from Milton.
Drawing upon attractive designs throughout the state, “Essential Place-Making Strategies for Main Streets and Downtown Districts” covered planning concepts of streets, buildings, public space, density and scale, streetscape design and creative parking solutions. These key components to economic viability were supported by additional concepts like civic urbanism and techno-civility.
It was a tough choice, but I chose the workshop on branding over one about conflict resolution. Branding remains a hot topic in Punta Gorda, and I walked away with a better understanding of what is often considered the steep price tag associated with professional branding. If there’s consistency of use throughout the community, the cost pales in comparison to what’s gained.
The last session of the last day taught “How to Identify and Work with Emerging Market Opportunities in Main Street Communities.” Despite a few kind-spirited jabs tossed about among information-saturated attendees (“Useless Eustis?”), talk of demographic trends, roles of development authorities and the structure of public-private deals will come in handy.
Networking with those with similar goals and challenges, brainstorming solutions to problems and cheering successes re-charged the batteries for another year of keeping the heart of Punta Gorda healthy.
What’s New at Main Street
Harbor Run/Harbor Walk registration form is now available at two online locations. – Visit www.mainstreetpuntagorda.org or www.zoomersrun.com. Interested in sponsorships starting at just $50? Call 347-8569.
Last chance to volunteer for October 3, 2008 Oktoberfest in downtown Punta Gorda. Choose from set-up, gate attendance, food station service or tear-down. For more information or to sign up, call Maria at 639-9484 or send e-mail to vonatzigen2000@yahoo.com by October 1.
Executive Director Linda Dobson can be reached at 575-9099 or lindadobson@mainstreetpuntagorda.org.
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