Nebraska Lied Main Street

Main Street Communities Receive CDBG Funding For Downtown - Tuesday, June 03, 2008

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) announced grant funding for downtown projects in the Main Street communities of Nebraska City, Sidney and Wayne. For the first time, DED is infusing CDBG funds into communities for developing downtown strategic revitalization studies, to be immediately followed up with CDBG funding for implementing the planned results in those same communities. The maximum CDBG amount for Phase 1 (Planning) is $30,000 per community, and is taken from the Department’s Planning Category.

•Nebraska City—$19,300 CDBG. Unlike many communities with town squares, Nebraska City’s downtown stretches along 14 blocks, which discourages pedestrian traffic somewhat due to the length and “spread out” quality. A 2005 study area defined 75 blocks of commercial, transitional and residential areas, including the Central Business District, as needing attention. Some substandard and blighted conditions identified included buildings in need of repairs, paint and visual structural help; buildings that were 50 years or older; and commercial buildings with long-term vacant second floors. Of 542 structures within the 75-block area, 297 were deemed deteriorated or substandard. An additional $6,000 will come from the City of Nebraska City.

•Sidney—$29,600 CDBG. Sidney has aggressively pursued downtown improvements since it was first designated substandard and blighted in the city’s 1994 redevelopment plan and 1999 re-designation. Yet much remains to be done. Among its goals are cleaning up neglected and abandoned downtown properties; establishing a beautification corridor along U.S. Highway 30; rebuilding two downtown streets along NE Highway 30; installing taller, more appealing historic downtown lighting; enhancing the downtown drainage system; and installing 40 new historic signs on the new decorative light poles. An additional $9,400 will come from the City of Sidney.

•Wayne—$30,000 CDBG. Wayne’s downtown business district extends into adjoining areas that encompass residences transitioning into commercial/light industrial use, traditional government and civic service organizations and heavier industrial use. Of 217 buildings, 161 are more than 83 years old while 56 have no official documentation and age cannot be determined. Many buildings are in need of complete internal and external overhauls, including new roofing, windows, siding, wiring/plumbing, bathroom facilities and air and heating. Wayne officials want to make the downtown more ADA accessible, replace aging infrastructure, create additional green space, and better mesh downtown businesses with the needs of Wayne State College students and faculty, among many other goals. An additional $9,400 will come from the City of Wayne and other local organizations.

The maximum CDBG amount for Phase II (Project Implementation), which will follow in approximately six months, will be $250,000 per community, and drawn from the Department’s Economic Development Category. The new Downtown Revitalization Category is open to incorporated Nebraska municipalities of populations 20,000 or less, having earned designations as Economic Development Certified Communities, and having already adopted comprehensive plans, zoning and subdivision ordinances, building codes, code enforcement, and building permit processes.

Nebraska Communities Receive National Main Street Program Accreditation - Tuesday, April 01, 2008

The Main Street programs in Beatrice, Fremont, Geneva, Grand Island, Sidney, and Wayne have been accredited as a 2008 National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center®. These programs join over 675 other Main Street™ revitalization programs being recognized as 2008 National Main Street Programs. Each year, the National Trust Main Street Center and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited National Main Street Programs around the country that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology.

“We congratulate this year’s accredited National Main Street Programs for meeting our established performance standards,” says Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. “Rebuilding a district’s economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement and support, in addition to establishing a solid organization with sound management that is committed to long-term success.”

The National Trust Main Street Center works in partnership with Coordinating Main Street Programs throughout the nation to identify the local programs that meet the National Trust Main Street Center’s ten basic 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 Main Street Program accreditation, visit www.mainstreet.org/nationalprograms.

Since 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center has helped hundreds of downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the nation reclaim the unique quality of life that only a thriving community center can provide. Through the Main Street Four-Point Approach to commercial district revitalization, which combines historic preservation and economic development, the Center has forged a nationwide movement for the revival of America's historic and traditional commercial districts. The Center provides a nationwide membership network, comprehensive on-site consulting services, in-depth seminars and conferences, technical publications and training materials, and national advocacy for commercial districts.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories. For more information, visit www.preservationnation.org.

New Study Shows Historic Preservation Impacts the Economy - Friday, January 11, 2008

Historic preservation activities in Nebraska have a $170 million annual impact on the economy, according to a report from Rutgers University researchers. “Preservation at Work for the Nebraska Economy” was commissioned by the Nebraska State Historical Society and released to the public on Friday, January 11. Of that $170 million, Main Street activity accounts for at least $4 million annually, the report said. For every $1 spent on downtown renovation through the Lied Main Street program, $35 in reinvestment was generated through business and job growth and new construction. To see the report, click here.