Mainly Manitowoc boosters enthusiastic

 

Revitalizing downtown is paramount goal

 

By: Charlie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Jamie Zastrow is passionate about downtown Manitowoc.

"This is the heart, the center of the city and you can't duplicate a downtown in a Harbor Town or a mall," said Zastrow, who last October was named executive director of Mainly Manitowoc.

"I don't want Harbor Town to go away, but downtown can be a unique setting for shops and businesses," Zastrow said in her Eighth Street office, across from the Manitowoc Public Library.

An economic revitalization of the 34-square-block Main Street Historic District is Zastrow's goal and it is shared by the board of directors and volunteers of the downtown boosters group.

They are using the Wisconsin Main Street Program as the framework for 2009 Work Plan action steps, which will be monitored by state Commerce Department officials.

Manitowoc was selected last June as one of three new cities to join the state program, and Zastrow was picked from 40 applicants in October.

Main Street officials will offer five years of free technical assistance, training and design consultations.

"We do have to prove ourselves," said Diane Thorson, vice president of the M&I Bank branch in Manitowoc and chairwoman of the organization committee.

"The Manitowoc downtown has a lot to offer, lots of things to do," Thorson said.

She noted about $30,000 in donations have been received to support Mainly Manitowoc's first year of operations, and the city has indicated it will match 50 cents on every contributed dollar, up to $50,000 maximum per year.

'Visualizing the potential'

Mike Maher, executive director of the Manitowoc County Historical Society, is chairman of Mainly Manitowoc's design committee.

He anticipates taking advantage of the state providing five façade redesigns annually to enhance the exterior appearance of downtown buildings.

"That will be an important first step in people visualizing the potential" of Main Street Program participation, Maher said.

He moved to Manitowoc with his wife from a small Minnesota town. Maher found walking along the Manitowoc River and Lake Michigan a strong inducement to relocate.

Paul Zencka, co-owner of Westport Bed & Breakfast and chairman of the economic restructuring committee, wants to share the enthusiasm many of his visitors have for downtown Manitowoc with residents.

He believes a survey, to be distributed in a few weeks, will identify challenges and opportunities for existing downtown businesses.

Zastrow said Etched in Stone's Elizabeth Wergin and her promotion committee would like to start an architectural tour featuring one historic building each month.

In addition to partnering with existing organizations for summer events, Zastrow said the committee is considering having Mainly Manitowoc be the catalyst for a winter festival or event.

Patricia Roth, of TBL Business Development, is the first president of Mainly Manitowoc.

She said its volunteers are "educating the public about the program, promoting the downtown and all it has to offer … and empowering business and building owners to see the importance in keeping properties in top form to showcase our unique assets."

"I am a stubborn optimist," Zastrow said. "There is so much potential here, such a great volunteer work ethic. People really do want a successful downtown."

Additional Facts

2009 Work Plan

Mainly Manitowoc's mission is to promote the overall economy and quality of life for the city of Manitowoc by engaging the community in an effort to preserve and revitalize downtown through the Main Street Program's Four Point Approach.

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