Main Street Community

 

Winchester's concentrated downtown revitalization effort began with its designation as a Virginia Main Street Community in 1985 by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. It was one of the first five localities in Virginia to receive this designation. The Main Street Approach provides a flexible framework that puts the traditional assets of downtown, such as unique architecture and locally-owned businesses, to work as a catalyst for economic growth and community pride. The four-point approach to Main Street is a comprehensive approach using four key interconnected areas: Design, Organization, Promotion, and Economic Restructuring.

The efforts of the Winchester Old Town Development Board have earned it recognition for excellence in the field of downtown revitalization by meeting high standards of performance set by the Virginia Main Street Program and the National Trust for Historic Preservations National Main Street Center. The Winchester Old Town Development Board nationally joins 412 other Main Street revitalization programs designated as Certified National Main Street Communities.

The national certification program annually evaluates downtown revitalization programs based on strict criteria such as: broad based public support, historic preservation ethic, active board of directors, adequate funding, a paid professional manager and reporting of economic progress by providing statistical information. The programs performance was evaluated by Virginia Main Street Program, which is the statewide coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Virginia.

A successful, well-run Main Street program creates a vibrant downtown of many uses, where people come not only to shop but to meet or even live. By increasing economic vitality and focusing on reusing historic buildings, it creates a place that defines the community, says Kennedy Smith, director of the National Trust for Historic Preservations Main Street Center. The certification for the Winchester Old Town Development Board reflects a well-run downtown revitalization initiative, and the citizens of Winchester should be proud of their efforts, and maintain their commitment to revitalizing the downtown area.

Since its inception as a Main Street Program in 1985, Winchester leads Virginia Main Street Communities with more than $28 million dollars in private investment toward preserving the historic character of downtown Winchester. Nearly 300 net new businesses have opened and over 975 new jobs have been created.

The Main Street program has been successful due in part to a partnership between Virginia Main Street Program and the National Trust for Historic Preservations Main Street Center.