The Main Street Approach
Since 1998, BIDA has been recognized as an accredited Main Street™ Program by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development. Our downtown is one of only 11 Main Street™ communities in Washington State and one of only 720 in the country.
Main Street™ is a philosophy, a program, and a proven comprehensive approach to effectively address the complex and changing issues facing the downtown business environment. The Main Street™ approach provides a 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 success of the Main Street™ approach is based on its comprehensive nature. By carefully integrating four points into a practical downtown management strategy, the local Main Street™ program has produced fundamental changes in Bainbridge Island’s economic base:
Organization builds consensus and cooperation between the many individuals and groups who have a role in the vitality of our downtown. Everyone must work together and a strong organization provides the stability to build and maintain a long-term effort.
Promotion creates excitement downtown. It reinforces and markets a positive image to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens, and visitors based on the unique attributes of a downtown district.
Design enhances the unique visual qualities of downtown by addressing elements that create the physical image of the downtown as a quality place to shop, work, walk, invest in, and live. Design improvements result in a reinvestment of public and private dollars to downtown.
Economic Restructuring involves analyzing current market forces to strengthen downtown’s existing economic assets while finding ways to fully develop its market potential.
The Main Street™ Program is essential to keeping our downtown alive and viable and enhancing the quality of life on our Island.
Criteria for National Designation as a Main Street™ Program
- Broad-based community support for the commercial district revitalization process with strong support from both the public and private sectors.
- Vision and mission statements relevant to community conditions and to the local Main Street™ Program’s organizational stage.
- Comprehensive Main Street™ work plan.
- Historic preservation ethic.
- Active board of directors and committees.
- Adequate operating budget.
- Paid professional program manager.
- Program of ongoing training for staff and volunteers.
- Reporting of key statistics.
- Current member of the National Main Street Network.
It takes hard work and commitment by a community to become and maintain its designation as a Main Street™ community. Along with this designation comes the honor of permission to use the title “Main Street™.” Communities must be evaluated and meet the criteria above to use this title. Evaluation is done yearly, and will be granted only to Main Street™ designation level communities that fully participate in the State’s “Tier System.”
If you would like to learn more about the Main Street™ Program, please visit www.mainstreet.org.