Main Street Director Sherry Hux hopes the program will make even more strides in the next three years.
According to the latest numbers available on Thursday, the Roanoke Avenue Business Alliance has assisted with 25 facade improvements in the last three years and witnessed 27 building renovations in the business district.
New businesses like Gold's Gym, Bakery & Simply Divine Cakes have spurred the creation of 146 jobs, according to the latest statistics.
A plethora of projects like the installation of new street lamps, space the city is letting RABA use at city hall as well as assistance during special events like Fridays in the Park have represented over the last three years a $332,951 public investment into the Main Street Program. Combined with $956,995 in private investment a total $1,289,946 has been infused into Roanoke Avenue.
The numbers, Hux said, show, “That it really takes us all to make this work. It takes a public-private partnership. Most of what has been done, could not be possible without that help.”
Hux describes the progress made thus far as part of overall small steps toward changing the landscape of the avenue. “I'm very pleased. We have limited resources. If we had more we could advance programs but Main Street is being done in small, incremental steps.”
Businesses that have received facade improvement grants have spurred other business owners to make their own improvements.
Behind the scenes, there are discussions and negotiations ongoing about uses of other key buildings within the business district, Hux said. “We would like more shopping and dining experiences,” she explained, and the Halifax Convention and Visitors is working alongside the Main Street program.
Their expertise is trying to help the Main Street program find businesses that would be a good fit for the avenue.
One of the things being developed is a map of the business district to draw more visitors to the area, for instance highlighting Centennial Park and the Patterson Mansion and incorporating walking tours to add a healthy living aspect to the map. Future additions may include locations of Aladdin Kit Homes to the tour.
As the city begins sweeping changes to its comprehensive land use plan, Hux, who is on the steering committee, will be watching that process closely. “I think we'll know more as the meetings continue. With a plan in place we can look for ways to go and look for ways to implement planning grant opportunities and funding sources. It's a huge missing link to other programs.”
The Main Street program is looking for ways to emphasize the city's textile history the way the Canal Museum tells the story of early transportation and power generation. “I think that is appropriate for the community,” Hux said. “Our heritage is textiles.”
Ideally, RABA would like to see all buildings on the avenue being used. Until then the organization would like to see more improvements made to to enhance buildings and have more curb appeal.
To recruit businesses to the empty buildings has its own exacting process. “We have to have the right person with the right business plan. If someone is interested in coming to the business district, we'll help find resources for them.”
Hux said RABA is a self-help organization which receives funding through its own fundraising events and private and public donations. “You don't have to be business owner to participate. It's going to take all of us to make it work.”
For more information contact Hux at 252-676-9686 or email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
