What good does Downtown Springfield, Inc., do?
GUESTWORK | Victoria Ringer
DSI is not just another nonprofit that puts on street festivals and holds fundraisers. It is the only entity working exclusively on initiatives to lift up the central business district. We have a comprehensive, incremental approach to revitalization of downtown through public/ private partnerships, identifying existing assets, and thoughtful implementation of the Main Street four-point approach.
We are one of 42 Illinois Main Street organizations led by four guiding principles: Promotion, Image and Design, Economic Restructuring and Organization. We know Main Street works. On a state and national level, the statistics are compelling.
In 2013 in the state of Illinois, the Main Street Four-Point Approach resulted in $34,167,718 in building rehabilitations, $1,036,862 in new construction projects and 62 buildings sold for a total of $13,465,500, 172 businesses opened statewide with 314 full-time jobs and 393 part-time jobs created. More than 12,000 volunteers contributed 42,947 hours to Illinois’ Main Street Organizations.
Why is it important for an organization like to DSI to exist? Why is downtown Springfield’s central business district important? Why revitalize? • Because revitalization generates reinvestment in our community – private investment in businesses and commercial properties and public investment in our infrastructure which creates jobs and benefits all of Springfield.
• Because sustainable commercial districts encourage business growth and create places for entrepreneurs to succeed, thereby increasing viability in the central district.
• And because downtowns project the community’s overall image to its visitors and potential investors. Healthy downtown districts reflect a community that cares. A strong downtown serves as an anchor for the larger community that represents consistent economic growth.
DSI’s two full-time paid staff create, implement and administer a wide variety of activities each year, including: an annual awards dinner recognizing people, places and projects that contribute to downtown’s vitality; monthly architectural tours; an Upper Story Tour highlighting downtown properties; the Art of Illinois Wine Festival; the Old Capitol Farmers Market (twice weekly May thru October); Taste of Downtown Springfield; the Old Capitol Blues & BBQs; Halloween at the Farmers Market and the Old Capitol Holidays Walks.
While promoting the
downtown district, DSI depends on a number of these events to raise
revenue to pay for programming like the Open Space Open House, a
Developers Handbook, Artification Mural projects, Business Advocacy and
Assistance, Downtown Historic Cultural Trail web application, a
comprehensive website, downtown informational kiosks, advertising and
promotion for the downtown district and the downtown Banner Program.
A
crucial component of a Main Street Organization’s success is “buy in”
from our municipality. Springfield is one of only a handful of
municipalities that does not financially support their downtown
organization. To compound the issue, DSI pays for services once provided
by our municipality to conduct our two largest downtown festivals that
generate nearly $250,000 in taxable revenues.
Over
the past few weeks, many of you have been made aware that Downtown
Springfield, Inc., is experiencing a revenue shortfall with only enough
funds to continue fully operating until the end of October 2014. If DSI
is to survive and continue its mission, we must educate Springfield
residents about what we do, how we do it and why we do it. This is your
downtown. It deserves your support. You can be a part of keeping
downtown alive and making it THE place to work, live and play. Go to
downtownspringfield.org to help.
Victoria Ringer is executive director of Downtown Springfield, Inc.
