Main Street Initiative

I would like to congratulate the Mainly Manitowoc crew for their efforts in getting Manitowoc selected for the Wisconsin Main Street program.  The Main Street program is a state-funded program that provides technical assistance to downtowns in areas ranging from event planning to architecture to fundraising. 

The City of Manitowoc provides $50,000 in annual funding for this program--As I understand it, there was little chance of Manitowoc being chosen if the City wasn't willing to fund a portion of it.  This stipulation activates my radar just a bit, and I will closely monitor taxpayer involvement.  Research that I have seen indicates that there is an impressive return on investment in other Wisconsin Main Street communities.  Testimonials from other communities (like Two Rivers and Mishicot) also rave about the program.  Could this be one state program that actually works????  Time will tell.   

I feel that there is a perception that I am "against" downtown businesses because I have been lukewarm about the Main Street program and because I penned a clever and witty guest editorial opposing the reconfiguration of 8th and 10th Steets back to two-ways, which downtown merchants seem to strongly favor.  I want to be clear:  I love our downtown and want it to be all it can be!  But my approach to downtown is the same as it is to all other areas of the City:  I don't want taxpayer money to be foolishly spent, and simply saying that something will be good for downtown isn't a good enough reason to open our checkbook. 

Do I deserve an honorary doctorate in urban planning or do I need to take "Downtown Development 101"?  Park your car and walk on over to the discussion board.