Trenton Downtown Association

TDA's Main Street Application

The Trenton Downtown Association is applying for a Main Street New Jersey designation.

Main Street New Jersey provides selected communities with technical assistance and training of proven value in revitalizing historic downtowns. The program helps municipalities improve the economy, appearance and image of their central business districts.

Why Main Street?
How You Can Help
Urban "Main Street" Programs

Why Main Street?

The Main Street model combines activities in four intersecting areas:

Design and physical improvements to enhance the district’s attractiveness
Promotion and marketing to strengthen the district’s image and attract more customers
Economic restructuring to identify the district’s economic potential, build on existing assets, and
attract new business and capital
Organizational development to create a strong volunteer-driven organization that engages all
major concerned parties in planning and executing commercial district revitalization

By securing this designation we can

Attract more private investment and and create more job opportunities downtown. Since 1990, Main Street New Jersey communities have seen the creation of 6,680 new jobs and over $868 million in private investment,

Provide more services for local businesses. Through Main Street New Jersey downtown Trenton businesses and commercial property owners will have access to advice, training, and professional services for business development, marketing, public relations and graphic, web, and signage and facade design.

Employ a proven framework for community engagement and involvement. We will use this framework to energize people who live or work Trenton for a concerted effort of downtown's revitalization.

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How You Can Help

New application rounds happen only every two years. This is a highly competitive process — this year 38 communities attending the application workshop on June 30 and Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Joseph Doria indicated that there are only about four available designation slots.

In order to receive this designation need to complete a comprehensive application with which we'd like to attach hundreds of letters of support from Trenton stakeholders.

We need a set of three letters

(each of the items above link to the model letter)

The deadline for getting your letters of support to Mayor Palmer and City Council is July 30 and your deadline for getting to us is August 21 so time is short!

You can send the letters by post, by email and/or by fax. All of the relevent contact info is in each model letter.

Also, you'll notice that the TDA-directed model letter has a place where you can volunteer for a Trenton Main Street committee. This is optional, but, of course, very welcome. You may also volunteer online by clicking here.

Finally, we will be announcing public forums to describe the program and obtain assistance in completing DCA's Main Street New Jersey application.

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Urban "Main Street" Programs

ACROSS THE U.S.

In Revitalizing Commerce for American Cities: A Practitioner’s Guide to Urban Main Street Programs, the Fannie Mae Foundation details how cities across the U.S. are applying the "Main Street" model to revitalize their commercial districts.

Click the title above or this link to download the 2 MB PDF

IN NEW JERSEY

The following Main Street New Jersey programs are in cities, including those within their municipality's Urban Enterprise Zones:

Main Street Atlantic City (A program of the Atlantic City Special Improvement District)
Bobby Royal, President
The Garage at Gordon's Alley
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-344-8338 tel
609-344-4254 fax
Designated in 2002
http://mainstreetacnj.org

Bridgeton Main Street (a partner of the City of Bridgeton UEZ)
Carola Hartley, Executive Director
59 E Commerce St. Suite 1
Bridgeton, NJ 08302
856-453-8130 x218
Designated in 1990
http://www.cityofbridgeton.com/EconDev/BMSA.htm

Broadway Main Street (a partner of the Camden UEZ)
Sheila Roberts, Executive Director
578 Washington St
Camden, NJ 08103
Designated in 2004

Main Street Millville (a partner of the Millville UEZ)
Marianne Lods, Executive Director
4 City Park Dr.
Millville, NJ 08332
856-293-0556
856-293-0985 fax
Designated in 2004
http://www.glasstownartsdistrict.com

Main Street Orange (a partner of the Orange UEZ)
Chris Mobley, Executive Director
29 North Day Street
Orange, NJ 07050
973-266-4005
973-676-7458 fax
Designated in 2007
http://www.uez.orange.nj.us/home.html

Main Street Vineland (a partner of the Vineland UEZ)
Todd Noon, Executive Director
603 E. Landis Ave
Vineland, NJ 08360
856-794-8653
856-794-2541 fax
Designated in 2004
http://www.mainstreetvineland.org

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