New resident wants 'positive direction' for downtown

Mainly Manitowoc seeks financial support for director, program expenses

By Charlie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Three years ago, retired schoolteacher Barbara Ferguson moved from Michigan to a home on North Fifth Street where she can see Lake Michigan.

"I wanted to live in a place where I could walk to the library, to stores, and to the lake," said Ferguson, who was at the library Tuesday evening for an informational session held by members of Mainly Manitowoc. "I want to see a positive direction for downtown."

Mainly Manitowoc is a new group working to achieve Main Street Program status, which supporters believe can provide a framework for economic revitalization.

Nearly 20 businesses have offered pledges to help fund an executive director's salary, as well as operational and promotional expenses should the state Department of Commerce in spring approve their bid, due Feb. 18.
"Downtown Manitowoc has a group of dedicated people intent on keeping Manitowoc a successful, vibrant city," said Paul Zencka, co-owner of Westport Bed & Breakfast on North Eighth Street, and a Mainly Manitowoc steering committee member.

He said for downtown to be successful requires addressing key challenges including attracting new businesses, keeping an attractive mix of businesses, and preserving and enhancing historic aspects.

Zencka said the Main Street Program approach — ongoing in 34 Wisconsin cities including Two Rivers — offers a structure for public-private partnerships and a manager to promote and maintain cooperative efforts, helping to achieve a high return on dollars invested.

On Second Thought's Michelle Messman said a Main Street Program can help entice businesses to locate downtown, "which leads to job creation and economic growth."

"The more you get involved, the more you'll get out of it … it is all up to us as a community," said Etched in Stone's Elizabeth Wergin, who like Messman is a Mainly Manitowoc steering committee member.

Main Street Programs are not architectural and facade code-creating, code-enforcing entities but take advantage of free technical support and assistance for five years from Commerce Department officials.
A pledge card from Mainly Manitowoc notes Commerce staff members provide assistance paid with state tax dollars whether Manitowoc uses the program or not.

"It returns an average of $12.41 in economic growth for every $1 invested by our community," the pledge card declares.

The Main Street Program is "not a grant program. Our self-funded program money stays right here in Manitowoc County. We do not pay the state with the funds we raise. We use it to hire a director and improve our community."

The appeal makes sense to Ferguson who said she would be making a pledge. "I like living here," Ferguson said.

Online: www.mainlymanitowoc.com