Council talks Main Street Alabama

Whether participating in Main Street Alabama is a feasible option for the city of Enterprise was briefly discussed at the Enterprise City Council work session Aug. 1.

Enterprise Mayor William “Bill” Cooper, Council President Eugene Goolsby and Councilman Turner Townsend reported to the council about a meeting with members of the Downtown Enterprise Business Association and a representative from Main Street Alabama.

A nonprofit organization, Main Street Alabama stresses public-private partnerships, broad community engagement, and strategies that create jobs, spark new investment, attract visitors, and spur growth, according to the organization’s website.

Prior to the establishment of Main Street Alabama, the Alabama Historical Commission served as the state Main Street coordinating program, providing guidance, support, services and certification to participating communities. The AHC program existed until state budget cuts in 2003-2004 resulted in the loss of Main Street staff and funding.

Participating in the Main Street program costs $15,000 up front, Goolsby said. The annual participation fee for the first three years is $7,500, $5,000 and $3,000, respectively. After that, the annual participation fee is $1,500.

Goolsby said the Downtown Enterprise Business Association agreed to contribute to the funding and that they have a means of paying the first two year’s dues.

Goolsby said that the Main Street representative recommended that each hire a full time Main Street Alabama administrator but said that in reality, many cities combine the Main Street administration duties with that of a tourism director or chamber of commerce.

Goolsby said that his thought was that the Main Street program, if the city chooses to participate, could be incorporated in to the tourism director’s job responsibilities.

Enterprise currently has a vacant tourism director post and the council has been asked by the city communication’s director to consider changes to the job description.

Goolsby said he does not consider the city’s tourism-director position a full-time job as it is currently but combined with the Main Street Alabama administrator duties it would become a full time position.

Councilman Al Miller questioned whether the city would be justified spending money on an organization that benefits only the businesses downtown. “What if the Westgate merchants or the Morgan Square merchants approach us on the same thing?” he asked.

Councilman Perry Vickers asked if the tourism director/Main Street administrator position would assist the businessess located outside of the downtown area. “Or does it have to be a full time downtown person?” he asked. “I’m not opposed to it but I just want to make sure we are treating all our businessess the same.”

“Downtown revitalization does affect everybody,” Goolsby responded. “If you attract people from out of town to go to our downtown, they are going to visit these other shopping centers, also.”

“I tend to think that the business district does disproportionately affect the overall culture and feel of a city,” Townsend said. “I think that's what gives your city its character.”

Goolsby agreed, adding that some 80 percent of the downtown buildings are currently occupied by businesses.

Goolsby said that the issue would be addressed more thoroughly at a future council work session before a decision is made.