City Commission considers support and funding for Florida Main Street Program

June 10, 2015 1:26 p.m.

On June 9, 2015, the Fernandina Beach City Commission held a special meeting to discuss  partnering with the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce to support the Florida Main Street Program. The vote was 4 – 1 on the motion to have the city attorney prepare a resolution of support for the June 16 regular meeting and to provide up to $40,000 in funding. Commission Gass, although not against the program, opposed the motion on the grounds it was too early to discuss the funding component.

Should the city commission vote to approve the Main Street resolution, Regina Duncan, chamber executive director, will prepare and submit the application to the state prior to the July 7 deadline.  Although no formal vote by the chamber board has been taken, the board is supportive of obtaining funds to provide a match to the City's contribution in the $40,000 range.

It was the chamber's concern over empty store fronts that drew its board to the Florida Main Street Program.  Duncan said the board believes through community participation store fronts will be filled and existing businesses will be enhanced.

What is the Main Street Program?

Florida Main Street is a proven strategy for revitalization focused on historic downtowns.

Florida Main Street, under the umbrella of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is described as a "community driven" program. Technical assistance is provided by the state, but the responsibility for its implementation rests with community leaders.

According to Jim Adams, legislative aide to State Representative Janet Adkins, state funding up to $500,000 is available for designated communities.  The  funding trend in the state budgets continues upward for Florida Main Street projects. Proposed funding for this year's state budget is 13.2 million.

Community Development Director Adrienne Burke gave an overview of the Main Street Program and answered commissioners questions.  Key to the success of this program is a paid professional executive director.  Of particular interest to commissioners is the possibility that the Main Street executive director could devote a percentage of time to overseeing the city's downtown CRA.

Key components to succeed

• Paid Professional Executive Director
• Follow the Main Street Four Point Approach
• Unerring commitment to succeed
• Unified vision for downtown

Burke spoke to possible benefits with a Florida Main Street designation.

During  1987, an attempt was made to receive a Main Street designation, but state funding was limited and the application was not approved.

To view entire power point presentation click here.

To view entire special meeting, click here and then click blue box "City Commission".