Fourth Street project earns more praise
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
The Maryville Downtown Improvement Organization and the city of Maryville have won this year’s Outstanding Public Partner Award from Missouri Main Street Connection, a non-profit consulting agency specializing in downtown revitalization. The award was bestowed for work in forging partnerships required to complete the West Fourth Street streetscape project. Pictured, from left: MDIO’s Marleen Carmichael, Councilman Jason McDowell, Mitzi Craft of Northwest Missouri State University, Assistant City Manager Ryan Heiland, Mayor Renee Riedel, Council Member Rachael Martin, City Manager Greg McDanel and MDIO’s Keitha Clapp.
A year and a half worth’s of work paid off Thursday night for the Maryville Downtown Improvement Organization as representatives from the city of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University and MDIO accepted the Outstanding Public Partner Award during a banquet hosted by Missouri Main Street Connection in Kansas City.
The awards banquet at the Westin Crown Center hotel concluded a three-day conference organized by Missouri Main Street, a consulting agency that specializes in helping communities revitalize deteriorating central business districts.
MDIO contracted with Missouri Main Street last summer after paying the organization $9,600 appropriated by the City Council. In return, the non-profit pledged to provide participating members of the downtown business community with information, research, technical assistance and organizational expertise over the next two years.
Missouri Main Street currently has 140 member communities participating at various levels, and claims to have sparked a total of $668 million in private investments in downtowns statewide, leading to the creation of 432 new businesses between 2006 and 2014.
Maryville, which won its award for assembling a multi-entity partnership that led to construction of the Fourth Street streetscape corridor, was one of 15 communities and individuals honored during the evening. Recognition for revitalization efforts undertaken elsewhere ranged from Chillicothe’s Sliced Bread Saturday festival to Washington’s self-guided walking tour established by 105-year-old community preservationist Ralph Gregory.
The evening’s highlight came with the presentation of the Great American Main Street Award to Cape Girardeau for a stunning revival that has changed the face of the Mississippi River town’s 130-block core through a combination of historic preservation, unique retail offerings, high-tech resources for young entrepreneurs and special events.
Maryville City Manager Greg McDanel, who attended the banquet, said such success stories show that downtown revitalization is possible by following Missouri Main Street’s four-tier approach that emphasizes organization, promotion, appearance and preservation, and economic restructuring and investment.
“There have been groups in Maryville that have tried this before, but they haven’t had the structural guidance Missouri Main Street provides,” McDanel said. “This group has taken it a step further. It’s all about continued training and best practices.”
McDanel added that success stories like the West Fourth Street corridor, which marked the largest cooperative project ever undertaken by the city and Northwest Missouri State University, refute the notion that downtowns in rural communities like Maryville are relics of another era whose best days are past.
“I don’t think that’s an accurate statement,” he said, explaining that while strips lined with chain stores and “vehicular-based” retail are now facts of life, downtowns still have a winning hand to play.
“There are downtowns that are thriving again with a more pedestrian focus,” he said. “It’s not just a place to shop, but a destination to be.”
Also on hand to accept Maryville’s award was Mayor Renee Riedel, who said the honor was a “celebration of the relationship” between City Hall and Northwest Missouri State, institutions that have not always seen eye-to-eye.
“The relationship between the city and the university has never been stronger,” Riedel said. “We have so many things to build on. We’re partners every day in decisions we’re making as a team.”
Riedel also issued a special thanks to the business owners and other citizens who make up MDIO.
“Without them being a partner we wouldn’t be here,” she said. “Lots of people are working together to improve our city.”
TONY BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Representatives from the city of Maryville and Northwest Missouri State University accept the Outstanding Public Partner Award during the Missouri Main Street Connection Evening of Excellence banquet last week in Kansas City. Pictured, from left: Maryville City Manager Greg McDanel, Maryville Mayor Renee Riedel; Mitzi Craft, Northwest director of corporate and foundation relations; and Missouri Main Street President Steven Hoffman.
TOYN BROWN/DAILY FORUM
Members of the Maryville delegation are shown at dinner during the Missouri Main Street Connection awards banquet Thursday in Kansas City. Pictured from left are Mitzi Craft, Northwest Missouri State University; Assistant City Manager Ryan Heiland; City Manager Greg McDanel, Mayor Renee Riedel and Maryville City Council Member Rachael Martin. Others attending included Marleen Carmichael of Carson’s Sports Grille, Keitha Clapp of Maryville Florists and Councilman Jason McDowell.
