Henderson-Vance County Downtown Development Commission Director Tracy Madigan spoke to the Henderson City Council recently about some ideas she got from attending a Main Street conference in New Bern.
No matter whether it was explicitly expressed or presented in a more subtle manner, Madigan told Council members that the conference had a message about partnerships and working together, particularly with county commissioners and staff, as a key component to progress.
“The county is one of our strategic partners,” she said at the May Council meeting, adding that it seemed like every session she attended mentioned the need for cities and counties to work together when it comes to downtown development and, in Henderson’s case, revitalization.
“Downtown development is economic development,” she said.
When prospective businesses visit the area, the downtown is an area they’ll often visit. A revitalized, vibrant downtown helps economic development in the city, the county and the region, she said.
Among the ideas Madigan discussed is creation of a Friends of Downtown committee, which would bring together a group of volunteers to work with the downtown development board to work on goals, needs and objectives.
With different levels of membership, the committee could be a funding stream that could be used for programs or initiatives.
Another session Madigan attended talked about the value of investing in downtown parks and greenspaces. People want to be near parks and greenspaces, which could create increased property values and attract businesses and residential development.
Henderson’s downtown business district is dotted with buildings that are included on the state and national historic registers, and there are historic tax credit programs available to help rehab those structures that may have fallen into disrepair or just need some TLC.
A prime example is the First National Bank building, she said. Municipalities can’t apply for the grants, but other entities could, qualifying for an additional discount because of Vance County’s Tier 1 designation.
This would be another example of partnering with private investors to convert downtown buildings to retail or mixed use, which wouldn’t cost the city any money, but it would encourage private investment. “That’s where we’re going to get our downtown rebuilt…through public/private partnerships.”
There’s something called a municipal service district that could be established, Madigan said. The idea could probably be used in Henderson’s Main Street designated area. Property owners within the district would pay an additional property tax – an amount that would be set by the City Council with input from city staff – that would generate funds to be used solely for improvements within that particular district, such as improved streetscapes, sidewalks, lighting and marketing, Madigan said.
There’s an appeal for additional Downtown Advisory Board members, preferably individuals with professional backgrounds in business, finance and development. Interested individuals are asked to submit applications to City Clerk Tracey Kimbrell by Wednesday, May 27 at 5 p.m. via email at TraceyKimbrell@henderson.nc.gov or Madigan at 252.425.0844.
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