Michigan City Mainstreet Association

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Bicycling along Lake Michigan
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There is SO much to do in Michigan City...including operating your successful business!

Michigan City Mainstreet Association members will find interesting articles related to economic development, marketing, advertising, branding, tourism, customer service and non-profit organization on this page.

Quality of Life in Michigan City: Priceless
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Warren Building on Franklin Street
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7-story building

Mainstreet Association meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. CST in the Mayor's Conference Room at City Hall, 100 E. Michigan Blvd.
 
 
2008 Meetings:
  • February 13
  • March 12 - board only
  • April 9
  • May 14 - board only
  • June 11
  • July 9  - board only
  • August 13
  • September 10  - board only
  • October 8
  • November 12 - board only
  • December 10

Mainstreet By-Laws

2008 Agendas

June 2008 Agenda

January 2008 Agenda

2008 Minutes

May 2008 Minutes

April 2008 MCMA minutes

March 2008 MCMA minutes

January 2008 minutes

Lincoln Library
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Relax at the 1866 Feallock House Bed & Breakfast

2007 AGENDAS

December 2007 agenda

November 2007 agenda

October 2007 agenda

September 2007 Agenda

August 2007 agenda

July 2007 agenda

2007 Meeting Minutes

December 2007 board meeting minutes

November 2007

October 2007 minutes

September 2007 minutes

August 8 meeting minutes

July 11 Board Meeting Minutes

June 13 meeting minutes

May 9 meeting minutes

April 11 meeting minutes

March 14 meeting minutes

February 19 officers meeting

January board meeting minutes

January meeting minutes

January officers meeting minutes

Haas & Associates - 526 Franklin Street (left)
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Michigan City Water Department - 532 Franklin Street

The Main Street Four-Point Approach™
                 to commercial district revitalization

Eight Principles of Success 

"For the longest time, we all waited for a white knight to ride into town and fix the problem. But the Main Street people made us realize that the only way to get it done right was to do it ourselves."
Russell Thomas, mayor of Americus, Georgia

The National Trust Main Street Center's experience in helping communities bring their commercial corridors back to life has shown time and time again that the Main Street Four-Point Approach succeeds. That success is guided by the following eight principles, which set the Main Street methodology apart from other redevelopment strategies. For a Main Street program to be successful, it must whole-heartedly embrace the following time-tested Eight Principles.

  • Comprehensive: No single focus — lavish public improvements, name-brand business recruitment, or endless promotional events — can revitalize Main Street. For successful, sustainable, long-term revitalization, a comprehensive approach, including activity in each of Main Street's Four Points, is essential.
  • Incremental: Baby steps come before walking. Successful revitalization programs begin with basic, simple activities that demonstrate that "new things are happening " in the commercial district. As public confidence in the Main Street district grows and participants' understanding of the revitalization process becomes more sophisticated, Main Street is able to tackle increasingly complex problems and more ambitious projects. This incremental change leads to much longer-lasting and dramatic positive change in the Main Street area.
  • Self-help: No one else will save your Main Street. Local leaders must have the will and desire to mobilize local resources and talent. That means convincing residents and business owners of the rewards they'll reap by investing time and money in Main Street — the heart of their community. Only local leadership can produce long-term success by fostering and demonstrating community involvement and commitment to the revitalization effort. 
  • Partnerships: Both the public and private sectors have a vital interest in the district and must work together to achieve common goals of Main Street's revitalization. Each sector has a role to play and each must understand the other's strengths and limitations in order to forge an effective partnership.

  • After years of being closed, the Lyric Theater, Harrison, Ark., was rehabilitated and turned into a community theater through the leadership of Main Street Harrison.
    Identifying and capitalizing on existing assets: Business districts must capitalize on the assets that make them unique. Every district has unique qualities like distinctive buildings and human scale that give people a sense of belonging. These local assets must serve as the foundation for all aspects of the revitalization program.
  • Quality: Emphasize quality in every aspect of the revitalization program. This applies to all elements of the process — from storefront designs to promotional campaigns to educational programs. Shoestring budgets and "cut and paste" efforts reinforce a negative image of the commercial district. Instead, concentrate on quality projects over quantity. 
  • Change: Skeptics turn into believers and attitudes on Main Street will turn around. At first, almost no one believes Main Street can really turn around. Changes in attitude and practice are slow but definite — public support for change will build as the Main Street program grows and consistently meets its goals. Change also means engaging in better business practices, altering ways of thinking, and improving the physical appearance of the commercial district. A carefully planned Main Street program will help shift public perceptions and practices to support and sustain the revitalization process. 
  • Implementation: To succeed, Main Street must show visible results that can only come from completing projects. Frequent, visible changes are a reminder that the revitalization effort is under way and succeeding. Small projects at the beginning of the program pave the way for larger ones as the revitalization effort matures, and that constant revitalization activity creates confidence in the Main Street program and ever-greater levels of participation. 

New Market Tax Credit presentation

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Michigan City Mainstreet Association
Board of Directors
Roger Potratz - President
Rick Welch - Vice President
Jane Daley - Secretary
Debbie Burke - Treasurer
Tim Haas
Tina Hoffman
Jack Luchtman
Donna Howard
Tim Bietry
Jerry Peters
Jan Smith
* (open board position)
Administrative Director: Jan Kostielney
Committee Members
Finance/Audit Membership
Debbie Burke Jane Daley
Tina Hoffman
Jack Luchtman
Promotion/Marketing Economic Restructuring
Jane Daley Tim Haas
Tina Hoffman Jerry Peters
Tim Haas Roger Potratz
Roger Potratz Garry Blumenfeld
John Regetz/Kevin Kieft
Ed Lysaught
Farmer's Market
Jerry Peters
Jack Luchtman
Ad Hoc Nominating Committee Ad Hoc Bylaws Committee
Appointed by President Appointed by President when needed.
  when needed.
Parks & Recreation Department Liaison
Tim Haas
This person will work closely with the Parks & Rec. Department and encourage
their participation in Mainstreet events when possible.