Main Street Madison invites community to planning sessions next week

MADISON—As a newly designated Main Street Alabama community,  Main Street Madison is preparing for an impactful first year by working with the statewide organization to develop a strategic plan aimed at revitalizing its downtown district. Madison residents are invited and encouraged to take part in an important planning session, as Main Street will utilize recommendations from the community to determine best practices for success and sustainability moving forward.

The Public Session—including community vision and asset mapping—will be held Tuesday, Oct. 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Madison Methodist Church’s Christian Life Center, located at 127 Church Street. As a largely volunteer organization, this information-gathering meeting with residents is crucial to help create a framework for its Main Street program based on community input and vision for the future.

In addition, this public input will be integrated into a strategic plan report with initial findings being presented on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. during a Public Presentation to introduce Main Street Alabama’s recommendations for the Madison community over the next three to five years. The presentation will take place in the Council Chambers of Madison City Hall, located at 100 Hughes Road.

Six weeks following the Public Presentation, a full report with greater detail will be made available to Main Street Madison. The organization will then implement findings through four volunteer committees—promotion, design, economic vitality and organization.

“Main Street Alabama works with the public in designated communities to provide board development, goal setting, work planning, market study with economic development strategies, targeted design assistance, and training related to district development,” explained Mary Helmer Wirth, president and state coordinator of Main Street Alabama. “These engaging meetings with community serve as a catalyst for strategies that create jobs, spark new investment, attract visitors and spur growth in core commercial districts, leading to sustainable change.”