The Main Street Approach is a community-driven, comprehensive methodology used to revitalize older, traditional business districts throughout the United States. It is a common-sense way to address the variety of issues and problems that face traditional business districts. The underlying premise of the Main Street approach is to encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation in ways appropriate to today's marketplace. The Main Street Approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community.
The Main Street Four-Point Approach™ is a comprehensive strategy that is tailored to meet local needs and opportunities. It encompasses work in four distinct areas — Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotion, and Organization — that are combined to address all of the commercial district's needs. The philosophy and the Eight Guiding Principles behind this methodology make it an effective tool for community-based, grassroots revitalization efforts. The Main Street approach has been successful in communities of all sizes, both rural and urban.
The Main Street approach is incremental; it is not designed to produce immediate change. Because they often fail to address the underlying causes of commercial district decline, expensive improvements, such as pedestrian malls or sports arenas, do not always generate the desired economic results. In order to succeed, a long-term revitalization effort requires careful attention to every aspect of downtown — a process that takes time and requires leadership and local capacity building.
Main Street Four Point Approach:
The Main Street program's success is based on a comprehensive strategy of work in four broad areas:
 Organization
Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalization process.
Promotion
Marketing the traditional commercial district's assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors.
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.
Economic Restructuring
Strengthening the district's existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities — and challenges from outlying development.
Committees meet monthly to work toward fulfillment of the Four Point Approach.
Organization Committee
The Organization Committee keeps the Oak Street Main Street Program strong by recruiting new members, retaining existing members and raising funds to carry through the planned yearly projects.
The members of this committee make it a point to educate the public on the Main Street Approach to success through the Four Point Plan: Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization, and Promotion.
Goal: Establish a strong Main Street Organization by communicating the mission and accomplishments and utilizing a growing number of participants in the implementation and funding of the Oak Street Preservation Revitalization Program through sound fiscal and management policies.
Objectives & Activities:
- Fiscal Operations and Administration
- Program Budget
- Monthly Treasurer's Report
- Communication and Membership
- Mailing List of Membership
- Quarterly Newsletters
- Volunteer and Leadership Development
- New Board and Committee Orientation
- Fundraising
- Membership Fundraising Campaign
- Program Management
- Monthly Board Agenda
- Nominating Committee
Meeting Schedule:
4th Thursday of every month at 7:30am. Location varies.
Chair – Jill Stephens 866-9994 soulofneworleans@aol.com
Promotion Committee
The Promotion Committee develops events to enhance the public image of Oak Street. These events are usually one of three types - Retail Events, Special Events and Image Promotions. From developing logos and advertising, to planning festivals and retail events, the promotion committee keeps the goal of quality in mind.
Goal: To present Oak Street as a unified shopping district and enhance the public image of Oak Street.
Objectives & Activities:
- Retail Events
- Shopping on Oak Holiday Open House
- Special Events
- Art on Oak
- Clean Sweep Clean Up
- Children's Trick-or-Treat
- Image Promotions
- PoBoy Festival
- Winter Blues Festival
Meeting Schedule:
First Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm. Gelato Pazzo – 8115 Oak St.
Chair – Jim Elliott bigeasy1617@yahoo.com
Design Committee
The Main Street Design Committee is the driving force in the restoration and preservation of Oak Street's historic buildings. The members of this committee are dedicated to preserving the architectural integrity of the historic buildings unique to our neighborhood.
To this end, this committee provides information on restoration and conducts public education meetings concerning specific aspects of design, including landscaping, street improvements, lighting, signage and litter abatement. Making Oak Street a clean and beautiful place to live, work and shop is what the Design Committee is all about.
Goal: Encourage improvement of the visual appearance of Oak Street.
Objectives & Activities:
- Design Education and Technical Assistance
- Building Line Drawings
- Design Guideline Handbook
- Financial Assistance and Incentives
- Public Improvements
- Streetscape Project
- Street Signage, Lighting, Benches & Trash cans, etc.
- Regulations and Code Enforcement
Meeting Schedule:
TBA
Chair – Audrey Driscoll 866-7795 driscoll@driscollantiques.com
Economic Restructuring Committee
The Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee is dedicated to developing a sound economic base for Oak Street.
This committee works toward two goals: strengthening and expanding existing Oak Street businesses and attracting new businesses.
The development of recruitment packages, business directories, educational programs and an active plan to keep all of our corridor buildings filled with thriving businesses are all important activities of this committee.
Goal: Strengthen the economic base of Oak Street.
Objectives & Activities:
- Space Use
- Business Retention, Expansion and Recruitment
- Recruitment Packages
Meeting Schedule:
TBA
Chair – Ralph Driscoll 866-7795 driscoll@driscollantiques.com
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