About MainStreet
About mainstreet
WHAT is MainStreet?
MainStreet is an asset-based economic development program that uses historic preservation as a core strategy to revitalize downtowns. Owatonna MainStreet is constantly working towards a safe, thriving, and innovative downtown core. MainStreet focuses on four pillars of work: Organization, Design, Promotion, and Economic Revitalization.
Organization – Building consensus and cooperation among public and private groups and individuals and identifying sources of funding for long-term revitalization activities. This includes building a strong network of business and property owners, citizens, bankers, realtors, public officials and other local economic development organizations to pool resources to work together.
Design – Enhancing the district’s physical appearance through building rehabilitation, compatible new construction, public improvements, and design management systems. This includes flower baskets, banners, holiday decorations, clean up events, and more. We want to improve the overall image of Mainstreet to show Owatonna is a quality place to shop, work, walk, live, and invest in.
Promotion – Marketing the commercial district through events and advertising to attract customers, investors, new businesses, residents, and visitors. This includes planning events and celebrations like Downtown Thursdays and the MainStreet Holiday Lighted Parade. Other things to think about with promotion – branding, vacant space promotion, advocacy efforts, collaboration on city initiatives.
Economic Vitality – Strengthening the district’s economic base and creating new opportunities through careful analysis and appropriate mixed-use development. Included i is business recruitment, business succession and exit planning, entrepreneurial support, housing, and education.
WHERE is MainStreet?
MainStreet is a district in the downtown area of Owatonna within these boundaries:
On the North – Front Street
On the East – Elm Avenue
On the South – Mill Street and School Street via Walnut Avenue
On the West – Railroad tracks/Straight River to Rose Street and then back up to Oak to Front
There is also a Historic District within the MainStreet District, see map below with black outline for that area.
Where to Park in the MainStreet District?
WHO is MainStreet?
The MainStreet Advisory Board is comprised of people involved in various groups and organizations throughout the community. Pictured below is our current Advisory Board.
Working on the four pillars under MainStreet, we have committees who focus entirely on one pillar, and each committee has at least two board members and at least five community members. (The Advisory Board focuses on the organization pillar.)
Interested in joining a committee? Email Lisa Cochran, MainStreet Director, at lcochran@owatonna.org
