Return to the Streets...

By Dace Koenigsknecht
Economic Restructuring Specialist
Michigan Main Street Center
Michigan State Housing Development Authority

As followers of this blog can discern, I managed to smooth talk myself into a highly desired position within the Michigan Main Street Center. (Editor's Note: It wasn't that smooth.) I’m honored and excited to come to work each day, but I intend not to belabor the wonderful introduction posted by Joe a few weeks past.

One point taken from that introductory post, however, will lead us into today’s topic; my recent presentation at a national historic preservation conference. I humbly describe the experience as both educational and inspiring, and feel that I have been bitten by the ‘lecture-circuit’ bug. My paper briefly traced the front sitting porch through architectural styles from roughly colonial times to World War II. After that, mass-market housing essentially eliminated the front porch, leaving social functions of the household to be held in the privately-fenced backyard. I presented an argument that porches merely reflected their times; from the height of social Victorian entertaining at home, to entertainment becoming a destination onto its own – opera and movie houses, or Sunday drives on the parkway. Front porches had lost their social status, as people no longer valued random street-side encounters. They carefully planned backyard barbecues and excursions to popular public venues.

Finally, to the lesson pertaining to downtowns; a brief history of streets. Research for my paper continues to take on new life, as I am increasingly intrigued by the connection of the front porch to its accompanying street. Historically, urban streets served as the lungs and parks of densely occupied districts, offering inlets for fresh air and open-space for children to chase dogs and hula-hoops. The wide streets, whether residential or commercial, enabled and encouraged social activity. Neighbors talked politics against the front gate, and merchants hawked their wares on storefront sidewalks. Streets were pedestrian-scale, roughly paved with cobblestone and wood. However, the horse would change all that.

That’s right, the horse and all its accumulated waste encouraged civil engineers to develop paving that could be cleaned easily – and affordably. Spurred by the economic and political force of the affluent, smooth pavements were pushed outward from city-centers to their suburban homes. Those with means to own the latest in transportation technology simultaneously utilized paved streets, and pushed for their expanded use. These smooth streets became busy arteries for wagons, carriages, bicycles, trolleys, and early automobiles. The streets were soon hazardous to pedestrians, becoming impediments to neighborly interaction and sidewalk sales. With loss of its street, the front sitting porch was relegated to storage of broken washing machines.

We come full circle, or do we? Current research and literature tout the advantages of pedestrian-scale streetscapes. I argue to look at the front porch as a symbol of loss, not of architecture, but rather the social aspects of neighbors and customers that fear the street – the Red Sea separating people and businesses. It is in hard economic times, such as now, that parting of the sea is required. For example, there is a movement in cities across the country to close streets on a regular schedule, like Sunday afternoons, to bring people outside and encourage them to interact – spontaneously – in person. Yes, cities all over close streets for special events, but this goes further by returning the function of the street to people. As these people congregate, they also buy, and such schedules have been successful for both residents and merchants alike.

By no means does my commentary imply a fix-all solution, but rather another view of history – those not willing to learn from it are doomed to repeat it. It is the desire of everyone associated with our towns and cities to see them thrive and flourish in this new global millennium. Our streets, our Main Streets, should be comfortable and profitable – acting as conduits not invisible walls. I look forward to this challenge and others in my new role, as our focus is clearly in our name: Michigan MAIN STREET Center.

Get to Know CID Specialist Duane Thelen

By Duane Thelen
Community Initiated Development Specialist
Michigan Main Street Center
Michigan State Housing Development Authority

I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with a little background information about myself. First of all, I have worked in an economic development environment for 20 plus years. Most of my career I worked behind the scenes. Some time ago Joe Borgstrom called me in his office and asked if I would consider being assigned a territory consisting of 12 Michigan counties. Of course I accepted this challenge and was provided the opportunity of working face to face with the communities.

I recall one meeting when the City Manager was a few minutes late. When I saw this City Manager walking up to the city hall building carrying a snow shovel I asked jokingly “did the city place you on the snow removal crew’? He replied “Well we received a telephone call from an elderly lady who was upset because the city snow plow just blocked her driveway so I thought what the heck I’ll just shovel her driveway so she has a better day”. He also laughed and added “I sure hope she doesn’t have many sisters that live close by”.

I also attended meetings where I observed city staff that were stressed, emotional, and overwhelmed with the economic challenges that their community had dealt with over the past few years. I have never felt or witnessed first hand, this amount of passion and dedication for our Michigan communities. Needless to say what an opportunity and a privilege this job assignment has been for me.

I believe the best strength I bring to this job is my gift of listening. Each of us has or has had obstacles at work. Many of the meetings I have attended I learned was an agenda where staff needed to express concerns, worries and suggested improvements for the community. I am that someone who will listen and offer recommendations in an attempt to search for a solution.

Another one of my positive traits is my belief in trust. Be it in our personal lives, as well as in the workplace. Take it from me as I have been blessed with being a German Gemini. Does it get any worse than that? What this means is that people know who I am and what I believe in. I don’t believe in beating around the bush or talking in circles. I believe in letting people know what I’m thinking. Be it right or wrong, I like to give people the opportunity to let me know their feelings as well.

With my new challenge as the Community Initiated Development Specialist with the Michigan Main Street Center, I am looking forward to strengthening our partnerships, goals and our mission with Michigan Main Street Communities. Together we will make success happen!
Thank you and as always – keep a smile!

Obama’s Strategies Can Help Downtowns Win Volunteers and Customers

By Joe Borgstrom, Director
Specialized Technical Assistance
& Revitalization Strategy Division
Michigan State Housing Development Authority

Before I start this entry I want to state one thing: This is not about politics. I will not be commenting on the philosophical views of any party. What I will do is take a few minutes and point out some of the extraordinary things that I noticed the Obama campaign did that paid off with huge dividends in the election. Sure, there was a ton of money spent on advertising. Both parties did that. I submit to you that what he did better than Senator McCain was he had an army of young and energetic grassroots supporters that felt personally connected to him. The question comes down to “How did he do that?” Simply put, he spoke to them using their language: Technology.

I was struck last night watching coverage of the post-election celebration in Chicago on TV. The crowd of several hundred thousand was anxiously awaiting President-Elect Obama to make his first nationally televised speech since being declared the winner. Then, the venerable voice of Tom Brokaw cut in and said, “We just received this email that Senator Obama has just sent to his supporters:”

“I'm about to head to Grant Park to talk to everyone gathered there, but I wanted to write to you first.

We just made history.

And I don't want you to forget how we did it.

You made history every single day during this campaign -- every day you knocked on doors, made a donation, or talked to your family, friends, and neighbors about why you believe it's time for change.

I want to thank all of you who gave your time, talent, and passion to this campaign. We have a lot of work to do to get our country back on track, and I'll be in touch soon about what comes next.

But I want to be very clear about one thing... All of this happened because of you.

Thank you, Barack”

Wait a minute. Did the newly elected leader of the free world just drop an email to his supporters just before walking on stage? Can you imagine getting an email like that just before such a historic moment from the man who was about to make it? Not only that, he took the time to acknowledge and thank them for their role in making that moment in history happen. Wow.

I started recalling the stories about when Senator Biden was selected as his running mate and how the national media quoted the text message he sent to his supporters before it was officially announced. He let his supporters on the inside. Furthermore, he kept them there all by using technology. I must have had a dozen friends who “donated” their status messages on Facebook to get the vote out for him. Even the people who were gathered at Grant Park were issued event tickets by…what else? Email from the campaign.

What does all this have to do with your downtown? Well, as I soaked all of this in, I was reminded of the presentation given by the good folks at Team HALO, Marianna Hayes and Andy Chapman, during the Michigan Downtown Conference this past September. They talked about using all of these tools for your downtown and the businesses in them. You can engage and create your own army of young and energetic volunteers and customers if you connect them to “the inside” and make them feel special. You can do it effectively and efficiently…not to mention cheaply, by using technology. They pointed out the example of the Rochester Brewing Company, who on a cold, snowy and slow Tuesday night, text messaged his database of customers with a 2 for 1 beer special. A half hour later the place was packed. You can use it for your volunteers as well. Why not send out a quick email or text that the banners the Design Committee designed have just arrived. Don’t forget to thank them while you’re at it. Everyone appreciates an unexpected “Thank you” once in a while. That all builds a valuable personal connection to your downtown/business/cause.

You can do this. Whether you are a small town Main Street Manager, an independent retailer, or a non-profit, it can and will work for you. Just get on the technology bandwagon and hang on tight!