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| Downtown Improvement District (DID) |
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Who We Are
The Downtown Carlisle Association is a community-based, non-profit organization that works to preserve Carlisle's rich historical heritage by combating deterioration of the Downtown and to keep the Downtown economically viable and attractive.
We are part of the National Main Street Program and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center , and have the distinction of being the oldest continuous running Main Street organization in the state of Pennsylvania.
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What We Do
Since 1981, The Downtown Carlisle Association has been working through education, training, strategic partnerships, and advocacy efforts to revitalize and maintain the quality of life in Downtown Carlisle. Annual events bring thousands of people to Downtown Carlisle and showcase the many shops, restaurants, and offices.
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The Main Street Approach
The Main Street Four-Point Approach (TM) is a comprehensive strategy that is tailored to meet local needs and opportunities. It encompasses work in four distinct areas - Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring - that are combined to address all of the commercial district's needs. The program has been successful in communities of all sizes and serves as an effective tool for community-based, grassroots revitalization efforts.
Described below are the four points of the Main Street Approach (TM) which work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort. |
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Organization
Involves getting everyone working toward the same goal and assembling the appropriate human and financial resources to implement a Main Street revitalization program. A governing board and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of the volunteer-driven program. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid program director as well. This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.
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Promotion
Sells a positive image of the commercial district and encourages consumers and investors to live, work, shop, play and invest in the Main Street district. By marketing a district's unique characteristics to residents, investors, business owners, and visitors, an effective promotional strategy forges a positive image through advertising, retail promotional activity, special events, and marketing campaigns carried out by local volunteers. These activities improve consumer and investor confidence in the district and encourage commercial activity and investment in the area. |
Design
Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets - such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets - is just part of the story. An inviting atmosphere, created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning. |
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Economic Restructuring
Strengthens a community's existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. The Main Street program helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruits compatible new businesses and new economic uses to build a commercial district that responds to today's consumers' needs. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district. |
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