MSVW celebrates downtown’s successes

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Main Street Van Wert celebrated another successful year with its annual dinner, with appropriate theme of “Celebrate Downtown,” held Monday evening at the YWCA of Van Wert County.

Program Manager Adam Ries talked about the impact of development in the downtown area and ran the numbers for downtown development, noting that 16 downtown properties were renovated or saw significant building improvements, six new businesses opened or moved into the downtown area in 2015, while three businesses also expanded their operations.

A total of 28 new full-time jobs and 23 part-time jobs were created by downtown businesses, while two long-vacant buildings were purchased in 2015 in anticipation of future rehabilitation.

“When you combine the renovations, façade improvements, (and) grant funded projects, total downtown reinvestment last year exceeded 1.3 million dollars,” Ries said.

A number of special events were held in the downtown area in 2015, including the Downtown Chocolate Walk, the Peony Festival/Art-Rageous on Main, the U.S. 127 and Lincoln Buy-Way yard sales, Eats on the Street/Art from the Fort, the Harvest Moon Fest, Hidden Spaces Building Tours, Small Business Saturday, Downtown Trick or Treat during Halloween, and a Downtown Christmas and Fountain Park Christmas tree lighting.

Ries also thanked the many supporting partners for the Main Street Van Wert program, as well as city and county governments for providing financial assistance to the program.

Ries also introduced the Main Street Van Wert volunteer board, which includes Chair Eric Hurless, Vice Chair Mark Verville, Treasurer Andrew Bashore, Secretary Dennis Cummings, Thaison Leaser, Tim Slusher, Shelly Becker, Ty Coil, Chet Straley, Mitch Price, Mayor Jerry Mazur, Paul Hoverman, Larry Lee, Susan Munroe, City Councilman Steve Trittschuh, and County Commissioner Thad Lichtensteiger.

Ries said downtowns are successful because of many people working together.

“Great downtowns don’t just happen,” Ries noted. “They are the result of hard work, good policy, cooperative leaders, zealous entrepreneurs, and passionate volunteers who want to see their community thrive.”

Ries noted that the Main Street program, implemented more than 30 years ago around the four pillars of Design, Promotion, Organization, and Business Enhancement, is an approach that works in revitalizing ailing downtowns.

“Across the country, Main Street is challenging what it means to preserve and rehabilitate downtowns — not as museums frozen in time, but as a living and special part of the city where preserving and reusing old buildings results in greater citizen engagement and a stronger local economy,” Ries said.

The program manager also thanked the many volunteers who help Main Street Van Wert with its downtown projects and activities, noting that MSVW volunteers put in 2,892 hours in 2015.

Several new downtown businesses were recognized during the evening, including the Humble Bumble, Corner Treasures, Schrader Realty, and TAG Menswear. Ries also introduced Peter and Sabrina Niagu, the new owners of  Touches in Time Antiques on South Washington Street.

Straley Realty won a special award for Outstanding Building Rehab for its Centre Court building complex.

“This building rehab has created move-in ready professional space that will continue to add density in both bringing businesses and people downtown,” said presenter Sara Zura.

The Van Wert County Board of Commissioners was also honored with the “Spirit of Preservation” award for improving the outside of the County Courthouse during 2015.

“Not every county is lucky enough to still have and occupy their grand courthouse, and we are lucky for commissioners to understand how important this building is to our community,” Ries said.

Looking ahead to this year, Ries talked about the County Leadership Class’ fundraiser to provide new American flags in the downtown area, while he also noted that pedestrian walkways on Main Street and Central Avenue would be updated with lights and increased safety. Additional street furniture, including benches and planters, will also be installed in the downtown area.

Wild Hare BBQ in Van Wert catered the meal, while Alexander & Bebout Inc. sponsored the annual dinner.