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The
lifeblood of Main Street lies in its projects.
Revitalization becomes evident from the results of these projects
and is absolutely dependent on the volunteers who drive them. Curious
about how you can help? Give us a call. There's a place for you
among our ranks!
Projects
categorized by the committee most responsible for each (some are
joint efforts).
DESIGN
COMMITTEE:
Leadership Plaza
Tending one of our city's premier parks, the design committee consistently
works to maintain Leadership Plaza. In 2001 planters were added
with seasonal plantings, the fountain was repaired and maintained,
and stepping stones were added. In 2004 the park had a face
lift with adding sod, sprinkler system and up lighting onto the
wall. Hanging baskets were added and flowers are planted yearly
by the Council of Garden Club members.
City
and MDOT Youth Work Program
Welcoming the assistance of the MDOT Youth Work Program, Main Street
volunteers helped with an astounding array of downtown beautification
projects:
- plant
medians with flowers
- reworked
plants in tree wells along the sidewalks
- added
8 extra large planters on Main Street
- pruned
and staked trees
- purchased
& installed 12 new trash receptacles
- installed
4 new benches in front of the Court House and City Hall
- installed
Fall & Christmas decorations (with the help of Master Gardeners
and Garden Club Members)
Historic
Downtown Signage
The Design committee worked with the City Federal Programs to help
secure a grant for Historic Signage in Downtown. This project
is on going. In 2004 the committee is working on all signage
for the downtown including directional and working on a sign policy
with the City of Columbus.
MEMBER
SERVICES COMMITTEE:
Shopping
Promotions
The merchants,
restaurants, and services in the district represent a diverse offering
of products and contribute significantly to the day-to-day traffic
needs of a thriving downtown area. Throughout the year, special
promotions are planned and advertised as a cooperative effort of
members who wish to participate. Promotions vary each year according
to participation.
- Spring
Open House (March)
- Pilgrimage
Promotions (April)
- Market
Street Promotions (May)
- Inside/Outside
Sale (June)
- Downtown
Sidewalk Sale (July)
- Welcome
Back MUW Students (August)
- Labor
Day Sale (September)
- Columbus
Day Celebration (October)
- Holiday
Open House (November)
- Lighting
of the Christmas Tree (December)
- Wassail
Fest (December)
- Clearance
/ New Year's Sales (December/January)
SPECIAL
EVENTS COMMITTEES:
Columbus
Day
This
birthday celebration (complete with cake) for our city features
a very popular pet parade and Best Dressed Pet contest, Pickin'
in the District with live music in Leadership Plaza, the Breast
Cancer Awareness Walk, 5K Run and chalk drawing contest.
Wassail
Fest
Wassail is a mixture of juices and spices that has been served over
the centuries. Downtown merchants spend weeks preparing for
this event and perfecting their Wassail recipes in hopes of being
named "Wassail-meister"! Over 400 people come to
downtown Columbus for an evening of Wassail tasting, in-store demonstrations
and activities, street vendors, festive music, visits with Santa
and Mrs. Claus, and much, much, more. The visitors taste and
score the Wassail and register for fabulous door prizes from each
participating merchant.
Riverwalk
Committee
This
committee is working with City and County officials to develop community
plans for the usage of the walk and how it can impact our community
through activities.
Market
Street Festival
Named as a "Top 20 Event in the Southeast" for eight consecutive
years by the Southeast Tourism Society, this enormous undertaking
brings over 40,000 visitors to the district in May. The festival
begins Friday evening with a big name musical act for "Market
Street After Dark". The fun continues on Saturday with
arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, hands-on childrens
market, food court, car show and a 5K run/fun walk along with tunes
from 6 music stages located throughout downtown. "Market
Street After Dark" concludes the festival Saturday evening
with locally known musical acts. Come downtown and play! SAVE
THE DATE - May 4 & 5, 2007!
Christmas
Open House
This downtown shopping event draws shoppers from all over the region.
Shops welcome visitors with refreshments, promotions and all-around
Christmas cheer to christen the holiday season.
PROMOTION
COMMITTEE:
While
the Promotions Committee has several projects throughout the year,
their efforts also support other committee projects that need promotion
assistance.
Marketing
Plan
Establishing a solid image was a priority for 2001. A year-long
marketing plan was established. The slogan "Discover the District"
was chosen and two logos were developed - an organizational identity
and a more broadly useful slogan image. Other image pieces include:
- An
advertising campaign on WCBI - TV to encourage and invite
people to shop downtown.
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- General
use postcards using the Discover the District logo with
blank area for personalized message
- A
membership brochure listing current members of Main Street,
including a map locating each.
- Website
- You're looking at it! This enormous undertaking was launched
early April 2002 and serves as an invaluable tool for relaying
the Main Street message.
- Advertising
campaign for the organization including 5 cooperative ads
for participating members.
Cover-Up
in Columbus
Published as a fund-raiser for Main Street Columbus, this novelette
is one in a series of books by Phil Hardwick and became a popular
Columbus-based fiction.
Ribbon-Cuttings
Welcoming new businesses to the downtown area is one of Main Street's
missions. Providing great opening publicity for our new neighbors,
this is one of our favorite activities.
Assistance
for Other Organizations
Rosenzweig Arts Center, Trotter Convention Center and Welcome Back
Party for MUW Students.
Awards
Entries
Recognition by the Mississippi Main Street Association is a goal
of our organization. Award entries are prepared in April for Main
Street awards and in January for American Advertising Federation
Awards. Main Street received 2 Gold Addys in the 2001 AAF Awards
ceremony including the Judges Award for the Annual Meeting Invitation.
Downtown
Cookbook
Published
as a fund-raiser for Main Street Columbus, this great cookbook features
restaurants downtown and businesses through out the district
Unique and special recipes and great pen & ink drawings of historic
buildings in the district. The cookbook sells for $19.99 and
can be bought at local businesses in the downtown area. The
money raised from the sale fo the cookbooks will go towards promotions
and advertising.
ECONOMIC
RESTRUCTURING
COMMITTEE:
New business recruitment
Seeking commercial development is vital to downtown revitalization
and the primary focus of the Economic Restructuring Committee. As
of January 2002, Main Street commercial space is 96% full.
Tax
Abatement Ordinance
Working with the City Planner, Main Street has played an active
role in furthering the cause of tax abatement.
February
2001 Storm Recovery
Following a horrendous storm in February 2001, Main Street worked
with businesses to get information out on what was available through
the Mississippi Archives and History.
GOVERNMENT/RIVERWALK
COMMITTEE:
Columbus Riverwalk & Trail
Following the approval of grant funds from MDOT, the much-awaited
Riverwalk & Trail project is current in progress. For more information,
refer to the Riverwalk portion
of our website.
Main
Street Columbus
Post Office Box 1062
Columbus, MS 39703 |
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