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The Michigan City Mainstreet Association (MCMA) is an organization dedicated to creating a positive image for the historic downtown district and the North End of Michigan City, Indiana, as an exciting
place to live, work, play, and invest.
· Through Organization, the MCMA organizes and builds consensus and cooperation
among various stakeholder.
· Through Economic Restructuring, the
MCMA assists in retaining businesses and recruiting compatible new businesses into the district.
· Through Design, the MCMA conveys
a positive visual message of the district.
· Through Education, the MCMA informs members, residents, visitors, and potential investors on topics of common interest and concerns to the district
The Michigan City Mainstreet Association was formed in 1991, and since that time, the organization
has been responsible for:
· The formation, organization, and on-going
promotion of the popular Mainstreet Farmers Market, held every Saturday from May through end of October, 8am—Noon, at
the corner of 8th and Washington Streets. The MCMA prints and distributes three separate brochures regarding The Market: one
to potential vendors; one to visitors through racks on I-94 and I-80; and one for local residents which promotes the USDA’s
food pyramid and nutrition.
· The publication of a Mainstreet Association
page in Lakeview, a supplement to The News-Dispatch
· Holding informative, educational and social
events which have encouraged cooperation and networking within the historic downtown business community
· Working closely with the Mayor, city government,
Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, Entrepreneur Center, LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau,
and Historic Review Board to improve the business climate and revitalize the historic downtown area.
· Achieving State-Recognized status with Indiana’s
Office of Community and Rural Affairs, a status which allows the MCMA to apply for, receive and administrate state grants.
· Becoming a member of the National Trust
for Historic Preservation, sponsor of the National Mainstreet organization.
· Creating and maintaining a website for members—www.mcmainstreet.com. This site receives more than 2700 visitors each month. The website contains
contact information for each Mainstreet member as well as pages dedicated to Restaurants, Lodging, Entertainment, Professional
Services and much more.
· Creating and disseminating newsletters for
specific target markets: general membership, marketing and tourism.
· Creating and hosting Winter Wonderland,
a 2-weekend event in early December which features a Winter Market with farm vendors and crafters, tree lighting ceremony
and community sing-along, and family activities along Franklin Street and at other locations in the North End of Michigan
City.
· Creating and promoting the Stained Glass
Tour, a year-round self-tour of local churches and other public buildings which are home to beautiful examples of stained
glass.
| Feallock House Bed & Breakfast |
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Michigan City Mainstreet
Association members participated in the Andrews University charrette. One of the topics of conversation was Smart Codes, a
system of city codes that encourages downtown restoration and development.
Smart Codes
4-Point Approach
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As active members of the Indiana Mainstreet Program, the Michigan City Mainstreet
Association has developed the following four committees, based on the Indiana Mainstreet Program's Four-Point
Approach: |
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1. Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the
commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design
management systems and long-term planning. The look of downtown, its streets, signs, buildings and store interiors is unique
to each Indiana community. Main Street’s goal is to work with all these elements to create a friendly, attractive place
that will draw in visitors and businesses.
2. Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among
the many groups and individuals involved in the revitalization process. To ensure a self-reliant, broad-based, long-lasting
downtown revitalization program, the entire community must rally around the idea. Cooperation from both the public and the
private sector is critical to achieve visible results. In addition, a separate staff and business solely dedicated to downtown
revitalization is key to achieving long-term, large-scale results.
3. Promotion: Marketing the commercial
district’s assets to customers, potential investors, businesses, local citizens, and visitors. To keep investors, visitors,
and businesses coming downtown, Main Street must reshape the community perspective of downtown as a hub of activity. Successful
downtown image campaigns, as well as promotional activities that build upon the community’s unique heritage and culture
send a consistent, compelling message promoting the downtown area.
4. Economic Restructuring: Strengthening
the district’s existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities and challenges from
outlying development. Main Street’s ultimate goal is to create downtowns that are economically viable. Researching the
regional market and consumer trends give Main Street organizations a realistic picture of what market mix will work for their
downtown. Based on their research, Main Street organizations can begin stabilizing existing businesses and recruiting new
businesses to fill the gaps. |
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