The goal of Main Street is to revitalize downtown Starke.

How does Main Street accomplish this goal?

We follow a four point approach:

• Organization:  Work with public and private sector community leaders to develop consensus and coordinate resources.
• Promotion:  Create and market a positive image of downtown through special events, retail sales, effective advertising, and public relations.
• Design:  Encourage quality building rehabilitation, signage, public improvements and window displays to improve the appearance of downtown.
• Economic Restructuring:  Improve the economic base of downtown by strengthening existing businesses, recruiting new businesses, and filling second floor vacancies.

What is Main Street doing?

Main Street has had three informational workshops that were open to the community. In the new year we will have a series of Vision sessions which we encourage you to attend.

Our board of directors meet on a monthly basis. We share information in Bradford County Telegraph and we keep open dialogue with the City Manager and elected officials.

Our Vision sessions in 2006 will allow us to come together and determine what we want our city to look like; the architectural standards and streetscape, and what we need as far as retail, services and recreational facilities. Between now and January, when you travel about, think of the interesting features of places you have been that you really like and how we can incorporate them into Starke.  Think about solutions to the issues you may have and please consider solutions to go hand-in-hand with your concerns. We look forward to work together with you to achieve our Vision.

The City is working hard at keeping the streets clean, and safe. They are also working with the independent code enforcement board and asking them to get tough and resolve outstanding code violations. The goal of the city is to be/remain a great place to live, work, raise a family and experience economic growth and development. We are all thinking in the same direction, we just need to keep working together.

We have a task force that is writing a façade grant that will soon be available to merchants who own buildings within the Main Street program area.

Please look for information in the local paper, speak with the program manager or one of our board members to learn more about Main Street Starke, Inc.