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A community’s central business district often accounts for as much as 30 percent of a town’s jobs and
40 percent of its tax base. But a downtown is more than an economic asset. It is a community’s crossroad—a place
in our hearts and minds that evokes strong emotions and helps define our identity.
It takes more than paint and a few
flower baskets to make a Main Street project work. It takes team work and mutual cooperation, taking the long view and keeping
an open mind about the future of the community while embracing the best parts of the past.
Molalla is now designated by the State of Oregon as a "Transforming Main Street" community. This means the community
is "committed to downtown revitalization using
the Main Street Approach® but need technical assistance to take them to the next level." Many approaches
to downtown revitalization, from urban renewal to fix-up projects, fail because they focus on just one or two problems, rather
than dealing with the full spectrum of interrelated issues that affect traditional commercial districts. By working with Oregon
Main Street and taking advantage of the best minds in the redevelopment field, Molalla is taking a critical step toward rebuilding
the local economy.
Oregon Main Street works with communities
to develop comprehensive, incremental revitalization strategies based on a community’s unique assets, character, and
heritage. Services are based on the successful Main Street Approach® developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
and include training and technical assistance. The goal is to build high quality, livable, and sustainable communities that
will grow Oregon’s economy while maintaining a sense of place.
To
learn more about Oregon Main Street, please go to:
Molalla
Main Street now has more than 40 volunteers, but our work isn't done yet. Consider joining one of the four committees - organization,
promotion, design, and economic restructuring.
Organization involves getting everyone
working toward the same goal. The work of building consensus and cooperation among groups that have an important stake in
the district can be eased by using the common-sense formula of a volunteer-driven program, an organizational structure of
a board of directors and committees, and a financially strong organization.
Promotion sells
the image and promise of Main Street to all prospects. By marketing the district’s unique characteristics to shoppers,
investors, and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional
activity, and special events carried out by local volunteers.
Design enhances the visual
quality of downtown through attention to all elements of the physical environment. An inviting atmosphere, created through
window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, street lights, landscaping, and the buildings themselves, conveys a visual
message of what Main Street is and what it has to offer.
Economic Restructuring strengthens
the existing economic assets of the business district while diversifying its economic base. By helping existing businesses
expand and recruiting new ones to respond to today’s market, the Main Street program helps convert unused space into
productive property and sharpen the competitiveness of business enterprises.
For more information,
contact Main Street Molalla at 503-829-5003 or mainstreetmolalla@molalla.net.
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Check out the photos from our Volunteer Appreciation dinner and hoedown in January 2011.
CLICK HERE
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OUR MISSION
To form unified partnerships
with Molalla area businesses, property owners, organizations, and local government. With the involvement and support of community
members, collectively we will develop and implement a work plan to preserve the historic qualities, maintain the existing
assets, and renew the commercial district in Molalla.
OUR VISION
Main Street Molalla sees community-driven solutions to attract businesses,
residents, and visitors to the traditional commercial district. Through local collaboration and volunteerism, the economic
vitality and appearance of our community will be enhanced while preserving the traditional character of our beloved Main Street.
Building upon Molalla’s strengths and sense of community pride, we will create an enjoyable experience for residents
and visitors alike.
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