Our organization, The Macedon Partners Association (MPA) and our consultant, Marcy Frey have been named in a few letters over the last few weeks and we felt it was appropriate to have some facts printed for the community to read and understand about us, what we do and why we do it.
Three years ago the Village of Macedon approached Marcy Frey and asked her if she would be interested in leading a Main Street Revitalization Program for this village. There had been documentation from this community through past dissolutions, that they were not happy with the lack of economic progress and the continued decline in property maintenance in the downtown. The (2008) Village of Macedon Board of Trustees was ready to move forward with the necessary changes to a distressed area as the community had expressed the need for it. They were advised to budget $25,000.00 per year for three years as a minimum to see initial return. This is what the village elected to do.
The MPA was created as a legal nonprofit to run a Main Street Program. It is a community based group comprised of property owners and business owners, similar to a Chamber or Merchants Association, but for revitalization including design. MPA worked together with the Village Board to ensure progress was being made in this program. Successful Main Streets like Fairport and Victor use a similar method.
Think about how the downtown looked before this all started? Would you have even considered taking a walk downtown or shopping there? You all are noticing the changes going on downtown. We have a partnership going on and this does take management. We have property owners and business owners maintaining their buildings and the municipality is also maintaining their property. We are working together in this revitalization effort. The short comment about slapping paint on is in our opinion short sighted. These property owners have worked hard to present their buildings as welcoming and they deserve so much more in gratitude.
We encourage the community to say thank you. We the MPA appreciate all you, individuals and business owners, are doing. Much has changed in our downtown and it has significantly and measurably improved. This effort is an expression declaring, who we are becoming, as the Village of Macedon Main Street. It is time to rediscover that Main Street Macedon has so many wonderful businesses.
Did you know that we only have one vacancy in our downtown now, in which we are working to establish occupancy? Look at other communities and see if they can say that today? We are working together to ensure business grow, and to bring new business in. We as a program, and not for profit, only ask that individuals please respect what has been done, and refrain from short sighted responses or declarations.
In this third year, the program calls for marketing a downtown, currently underway. We also intend to complete final projects by spring of 2011. Now it is time to invite our guests to come over and do business here, in our downtown!
Comparatively the total $75,000.00 received in sponsorship from the Village Government has resulted in more than the few accomplishments listed here:
- MPA and the Village of Macedon have received several grants and assistance programs with a value exceeding $200,000+. The Village of Macedon has New York State planning grants in the works as well for 2011, which we expect will increase the value.
- We actively sponsor one event every month for this community. The attendance at these events has consistently grown. (The Movie in the Park: 250+ in attendance; Village-Wide Garage Sales: 125 sale locations; Mural Dedication: 100+ persons) These are just a few to name.
- MPA Design Team completed design concepts for Main Street which the property owners and the municipality have adopted. This includes guiding the acquisition of benches, garbage cans, crosswalk signs and more.
- As revitalization continues, the businesses downtown are experiencing an increase in sales. More sales, Mean more sales tax, and more village self-sufficiency in government, avoiding property tax increases. Please shop local in our village.
In closing, we have received many comments praising the efforts as a direct result of the MPA. We are very thankful to all the individuals who have observed, commented, and participated. We are always soliciting for additional volunteers to continue this progress. In the end, we are asking to avoid destructive commenting to this community since our efforts are not political. We all are working hard at making this community a wonderful place to live regardless of the result of the Village vote. These business, people, and volunteers deserve all of our praise.
For further information, we encourage you to visit our website often at: www.macedonpartners.org
The MPA Board of Directors
Loading ...