BEATRICE – A tour of historic downtown Beatrice was on the schedule today for the Director of the National Main Street Center, based in Chicago.
Patrice Frey is CEO of an organization that oversees some 1,600 communities in the United States, that are part of the Main Street program.
[audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Nat-Main-Street1.mp3"][/audio]
:20 “for myself”
Frey has family members who homesteaded at Hay Springs, Nebraska. She says part of the challenge for downtowns started back in the 1950s and 60s, when urbanization of communities led to a growth in mall-based business. She said the growth of online business has added to that challenge for downtown areas.
[caption id="attachment_1132087" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Beatrice Mayor Stan Wirth, showing exterior renovation work, at Municipal Auditorium[/caption]
Although not easy, Frey says there is a resurgence being seen in the development of downtown areas.
[audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Nat-Main-Street2.mp3"][/audio]
:25 “that movement”
This past year, the downtown Beatrice area was added to the National Register of historic places. Through passage of ordinances dealing with vacant structures and the use of a Nebraska economic development block grant to help refurbish building fronts, officials are working toward reestablishing the downtown as an attraction for shoppers and visitors.
Frey says the architecture is certainly in place.
[audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Nat-Main-Street3.mp3"][/audio]
:50 “24-hour experience”
Frey says some communities are having success linking their downtowns to trail systems and riverfront areas. Once a community has refurbished the physical aspects of a downtown, Frey says a key effort is making sure a downtown is a pedestrian-friendly experience.
[audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Nat-Main-Street4.mp3"][/audio]
:09 “ten-fold”
There are always financing issues for improving a downtown, but Frey says the investment can come from several sources. Those include city support in the area of funding and recruitment of business. Support from businesses themselves and investment through community charitable organizations or individuals can also help spur downtown development.
Frey went on a walking tour of the downtown area Thursday morning, with members of the local Main Street Beatrice organization and Mayor Stan Wirth. The group also took an interior tour of a building being renovated at 3
rd and Court.
The National Main Street Center is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The center offers technical assistance, research, education and other help to local main street programs.
Beatrice Mayor Stan Wirth, showing exterior renovation work, at Municipal Auditorium[/caption]
Although not easy, Frey says there is a resurgence being seen in the development of downtown areas.
[audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Nat-Main-Street2.mp3"][/audio]
:25 “that movement”
This past year, the downtown Beatrice area was added to the National Register of historic places. Through passage of ordinances dealing with vacant structures and the use of a Nebraska economic development block grant to help refurbish building fronts, officials are working toward reestablishing the downtown as an attraction for shoppers and visitors. 
Frey says the architecture is certainly in place.
[audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Nat-Main-Street3.mp3"][/audio]
:50 “24-hour experience”
Frey says some communities are having success linking their downtowns to trail systems and riverfront areas. Once a community has refurbished the physical aspects of a downtown, Frey says a key effort is making sure a downtown is a pedestrian-friendly experience.
[audio mp3="http://media3.floodradio.com/columbus/2017/07/Nat-Main-Street4.mp3"][/audio]
:09 “ten-fold”
There are always financing issues for improving a downtown, but Frey says the investment can come from several sources. Those include city support in the area of funding and recruitment of business. Support from businesses themselves and investment through community charitable organizations or individuals can also help spur downtown development.
Frey went on a walking tour of the downtown area Thursday morning, with members of the local Main Street Beatrice organization and Mayor Stan Wirth. The group also took an interior tour of a building being renovated at 3rd and Court.
The National Main Street Center is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The center offers technical assistance, research, education and other help to local main street programs. 
