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How to Bring a How to Bring a Community Together to Community Together to
Succeed!Succeed!
Leah RossLeah Ross
Birthplace of Birthplace of Country Music® Country Music®
Executive DirectorExecutive Director
Christina BlevinsChristina BlevinsMain Street, Main Street,
Bristol Executive Bristol Executive DirectorDirector
Believe in BristolBelieve in Bristol
South Carolina Festival & Event AssociationJanuary 21, 2013 – 9:30 am
Mumford & Sons – Gentlemen of Mumford & Sons – Gentlemen of the Road Stopover, Bristol VA/TNthe Road Stopover, Bristol VA/TN
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Historic Downtown Bristol
1930’s
Bristol’s central business district was the place where everyone bought their goods and services.
It served as the economic and social focal points of our counties and region.
Bristol TN/VA 1980’s – Bristol TN/VA 1980’s – YUCKIE!!YUCKIE!!
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WHAT HAPPENED to WHAT HAPPENED to Bristol???Bristol???
What caused changes all What caused changes all across America??across America??
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What happened to America’s What happened to America’s Downtown Commercial District?Downtown Commercial District?
Downtowns all over America Downtowns all over America experienced severe decline in the experienced severe decline in the 1960’s and 70’s due to changes in:1960’s and 70’s due to changes in:
• Development/SuburbanizationDevelopment/Suburbanization• Retail Practices and TrendsRetail Practices and Trends• Historic Commercial BuildingsHistoric Commercial Buildings
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Bristol TN/VA 1960 – 1970’sBristol TN/VA 1960 – 1970’s
Urban Renewal Urban Renewal – Loss of many historic buildingsLoss of many historic buildings
Bristol Mall Bristol Mall – Retail center dividedRetail center divided
Interstate 81 completedInterstate 81 completed– Traffic bypasses city centerTraffic bypasses city center
1977 Downtown Flood1977 Downtown Flood
What Happened What Happened Continued…Continued…
In many communities In many communities downtown merchants and downtown merchants and property owners, tried to property owners, tried to halt this spiral of decline halt this spiral of decline by imitating their by imitating their competition -- the competition -- the shopping mall. shopping mall.
Their attempts to Their attempts to modernize downtown take modernize downtown take the forms of pedestrian the forms of pedestrian malls, covering traditional malls, covering traditional building fronts with building fronts with aluminum slipcovers, and aluminum slipcovers, and attaching huge, oversized attaching huge, oversized signs on their buildings to signs on their buildings to attract attention. attract attention.
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What Happened What Happened Continued…Continued…
These well-meaning but usually These well-meaning but usually ineffective methods did not stabilize ineffective methods did not stabilize downtown's decline, mostly because downtown's decline, mostly because they did not address the they did not address the fundamental problem -- that fundamental problem -- that businesses did not change when the businesses did not change when the market did, and that people did not market did, and that people did not see the downtown as a destination see the downtown as a destination for shopping any more.for shopping any more.
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The Beginning of The Beginning of The Main Street The Main Street Four-Point ApproachFour-Point Approach
to Downtown Revitalizationto Downtown Revitalization In 1977, the National Trust In 1977, the National Trust
for Historic Preservation for Historic Preservation launched the Main Street launched the Main Street Project.Project.
The The Main Street Four Point Main Street Four Point ApproachApproach is a community- is a community-driven, comprehensive driven, comprehensive strategy used to revitalize strategy used to revitalize older, traditional business older, traditional business districts throughout the districts throughout the United States. This program United States. This program is based on four points: is based on four points: Design, Promotion, Design, Promotion, Economic Restructuring Economic Restructuring and Organizationand Organization 1010
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DESIGNDESIGNRestoring physical valueRestoring physical value
Improving the appearance of the Improving the appearance of the commercial district through preservation-commercial district through preservation-
based strategiesbased strategies
Karen Hester’s Buildings Before 625-627 State Street, Bristol Virginia Heritage House/Heritage Antiques Lighting for
Downtown – 1930’s
Benches, Bike
Racks & Planters. Oh my!
Merchant Store Fronts
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Examples of Before & AfterExamples of Before & After
Before
During
Now
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507-509 State Street507-509 State Street
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623 State Street623 State Street
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505 State Street505 State Street
Before & After
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16-20 616-20 6thth Street Street
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PROMOTIONPROMOTIONRestoring social valueRestoring social value
Bringing people back to the community Bringing people back to the community center by improving the district’s image & center by improving the district’s image & marketing its unique assetsmarketing its unique assets
Border Bash Summer
Concert Series!
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Farmer’s Market at the
Downtown Center
Holiday Open House
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Bristol has cultivated an arts community impacting the theatrical, literary, culinary, performing and visual arts.
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•Theatre Bristol•Bristol Ballet •Art in Public Places •The Paramount Center•One of a Kind Gallery •BCM / Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion•606 State Street Gallery•Bristol Public Library •Southeastern Culinary and Hospitality College •blowfish emporium•Cameo Theatre•Kil’n Time Pottery•Bristol’s Busk Stops•The Caterpillar Crawl•The Country Music Mural•Benjamin Walls Gallery•Bridgeforth Design Studio
It may seem hard to believe, but all of these art and entertainment venues reside right in
4 square blocks of Downtown Bristol.
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Moving forward…Moving forward…
Cultural TourismCultural Tourism– Arts & Entertainment District – BIBArts & Entertainment District – BIB– Heartwood – State of VAHeartwood – State of VA– Crooked Road – State of VACrooked Road – State of VA– Pick Bristol / Move to Bristol Program- CVBPick Bristol / Move to Bristol Program- CVB– Round the Mountain – State of VARound the Mountain – State of VA– Sunny Side Trail – State of TNSunny Side Trail – State of TN– BCM Museum in conjunction with The BCM Museum in conjunction with The
Smithsonian!Smithsonian!– SO MUCH MORE!!!!SO MUCH MORE!!!!
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ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURINGECONOMIC RESTRUCTURINGRestoring economic valueRestoring economic value
Repositioning the district’s economy Repositioning the district’s economy through market-driven business retention through market-driven business retention & development strategies& development strategies
Mark Canty – Eatz on Moore Street.
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Economic RestructuringEconomic Restructuring This is accomplished by retaining and This is accomplished by retaining and
expanding successful businesses to provide expanding successful businesses to provide a balanced commercial mix, sharpening the a balanced commercial mix, sharpening the competitiveness and merchandising skills competitiveness and merchandising skills of business owners, and attracting new of business owners, and attracting new businesses that the market can support. businesses that the market can support.
Converting unused or underused Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district. The goal is to profitability of the district. The goal is to build a commercial district that responds to build a commercial district that responds to the needs of today's consumers. the needs of today's consumers.
IdeaSpace!IdeaSpace!
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Example: Macado’s, Bristol Example: Macado’s, Bristol TNTN
Old Sears BuildingOld Sears Building No Historical No Historical
IntegrityIntegrity New In-Fill to look New In-Fill to look
like Macado’s has like Macado’s has been here for everbeen here for ever
Parking lot in back Parking lot in back Great addition to Great addition to
downtown – City downtown – City took a blighted took a blighted property & made it property & made it profitable.profitable.
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Why would you want to live in Why would you want to live in a loft downtown?a loft downtown?
Unique/CreativeUnique/Creative Open LivingOpen Living Low MaintenanceLow Maintenance History and History and
architecturearchitecture
Puts you in the mix!
Arts/Entertainment/ Cultural/Diversity
Dinning/Nightlife
Retail/Specialty Shops
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ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATIONRestoring political valueRestoring political value
Building strong, broad-based community Building strong, broad-based community support for our commercial districtsupport for our commercial district
Believe in Bristol, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to hold in trust Bristol’s dreams and help bring them to reality by implementing the Main Street Four-Point Approach to Commercial District Revitalization.
Revitalization Partners include:Bankers; Property Owners; Local Government; Merchants; Downtown Residents; Professionals; Chamber of Commerce Representatives; Local Industries; Civic Groups; Historical Societies; Schools; Consumers; Real Estate Agents; and Local Media.
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Top 10 Reasons to Revitalize Top 10 Reasons to Revitalize Downtown Commercial DistrictsDowntown Commercial Districts
1)1) Commercial Districts are prominent employment centers.Commercial Districts are prominent employment centers.
2)2) Downtown represents a significant portion of the community’s tax base.Downtown represents a significant portion of the community’s tax base.
3)3) Most businesses within the commercial district are independently owned.Most businesses within the commercial district are independently owned.
4)4) A vital Downtown area reduces sprawl by concentrating retail in one area A vital Downtown area reduces sprawl by concentrating retail in one area and uses community resources wisely.and uses community resources wisely.
5)5) A historic commercial district is often a major tourist attraction.A historic commercial district is often a major tourist attraction.
6)6) A healthy Downtown core protects property values in surrounding residential A healthy Downtown core protects property values in surrounding residential neighborhoods.neighborhoods.
7)7) The commercial district is a reflection of community image, pride and The commercial district is a reflection of community image, pride and prosperity.prosperity.
8)8) Downtown is the historic core of the community.Downtown is the historic core of the community.
9)9) The commercial district represents a huge public and private investment.The commercial district represents a huge public and private investment.
10)10) Downtown provides an important civic forum, where members of the Downtown provides an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate…Parades, special events and celebrations held community can congregate…Parades, special events and celebrations held on State Street reinforce an intangible sense of community.on State Street reinforce an intangible sense of community.
Local – Local – Community DrivenCommunity Driven
12th Annual BRRR!12th Annual BRRR!
•Attendance was the Attendance was the best ever! best ever!
•11% increase – 50,000 11% increase – 50,000 •784 different artists / 784 different artists /
180 bands180 bands•701 runners / walkers 701 runners / walkers
in 5K Road Racein 5K Road Race• Recycling – vending Recycling – vending
requirement, requirement, participating students participating students from environmental from environmental
clubs local high schools clubs local high schools and Ball Corporation did and Ball Corporation did
all the beer garden all the beer garden recycling.recycling.
Photo Credits : VI College
What do we do to get ready?What do we do to get ready? Planning, Planning, Planning!Planning, Planning, Planning! Merchant, Property Owner & Resident Merchant, Property Owner & Resident
MeetingsMeetings Rock N Stroll Window Decorating ContestRock N Stroll Window Decorating Contest Parking Solutions – ShuttlesParking Solutions – Shuttles Phone App. For Android and iPhonesPhone App. For Android and iPhones Children’s Day PromotionsChildren’s Day Promotions Chili –Cook offChili –Cook off 5 K run 2mile walk Road Race5 K run 2mile walk Road Race
Mumford & Sons – Gentlemen of the Mumford & Sons – Gentlemen of the Road Stopover, Bristol VA/TNRoad Stopover, Bristol VA/TN
•Merchant, Property Merchant, Property Owner & Resident Owner & Resident MeetingsMeetings•Individual Merchant Individual Merchant VisitsVisits•Promotional Promotional PamphletPamphlet•Press Conference – Press Conference – CountdownCountdown•E-News, Newspaper, E-News, Newspaper, Radio, BannersRadio, Banners•Event VolunteersEvent Volunteers•PartnershipsPartnerships•VTC PartnershipVTC Partnership•AC Entertainment AC Entertainment •Mumford CREWMumford CREW
Statistics for BristolStatistics for BristolSince 2006 (Start of TN Main Street) Public Investment - $8,523,208.85Private Investment - $11,070,010.16Total - $19,593,219.01New Jobs – 83 New Lofts - 41New & Sustaining Businesses – 29Volunteer Hours – 13,977!!!
What’s Next for Bristol?What’s Next for Bristol?Birthplace of Country Music Museum– Smithsonian Affiliate Boutique HotelParking StructureContinued promotion of our unique history / BRRRContinued promotion of A & E DistrictIdea Space & Visitors CenterMore life, shops and community pride/spirit
In In Summary:Summary:Leveraging regional Leveraging regional opportunities & opportunities & assetsassetsOperate Operate underfunding underfunding mechanisms‘ with mechanisms‘ with State, Federal & State, Federal & Local PartnershipsLocal PartnershipsIts all about Its all about TEAMWORK!TEAMWORK!ComprehensiveComprehensiveEver-changingEver-changingStay POSITIVE!Stay POSITIVE!
Work hard, Play hard!Work hard, Play hard!
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EventsEvents
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Thank You & Questions!Thank You & Questions!
Leah RossBirthplace of Country Music®
Executive Director416 A State Street, Bristol, TN
423-573-4898
Christina BlevinsBelieve in Bristol
Main Street Executive Director36 Moore Street, Bristol, VA
276-644-9700cblevins@believeinbristol.orgwww.believeinbristol.org
