Cindy Willcock, Director of Main Street Grosse Pointe, joined the club to share her efforts to support, revitalize and preserve our downtown.
Main Street America’s mission is to lead a movement committed to strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development in older and historic
downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. It empowers communities to set their own destinies, offering a roadmap for locally owned, locally driven prosperity.
downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts. It empowers communities to set their own destinies, offering a roadmap for locally owned, locally driven prosperity.
To help promote future development in The Village shopping district the City Council created the Grosse Pointe Downtown Development Authority
(DDA) in 2008. The DDA then became Main Street Grosse Pointe in 2020 after an extensive application process. There are 1,200 Main Street communities nationwide and 50 in Michigan.
The Main Street approach is dedicated to strengthening existing businesses and bringing in new ones that fit (a combination of local and national) and want to stay. Transformational strategies are organized around four points: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. Economic Vitality focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses. Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set
the commercial district apart. Promotion positions the downtown district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity. Organization involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships and community involvement.
Main Street Grosse Pointe has a 5- year plan for the Village and is
excited to bring back events, such as Music on the Plaza, and the Sidewalk Sale. It is partially funded through taxes but relies on fundraising and sponsorship for 50% of its budget. Ms. Willcock is the only employee and succeeds through the help of volunteers.
www.grossepointecity.org/businss/economic_development.
excited to bring back events, such as Music on the Plaza, and the Sidewalk Sale. It is partially funded through taxes but relies on fundraising and sponsorship for 50% of its budget. Ms. Willcock is the only employee and succeeds through the help of volunteers.
www.grossepointecity.org/businss/economic_development.