Main Street Oakland County -- Additional Information
The National Trust Main Street Center
Established in 1980 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Trust's Main Street Center is the leader in the commercial district preservation and revitalization effort and provides information, technical assistance, research and advocacy through consulting services, conferences, publications, membership, newsletters and training.
The National Trust Main Street Center is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Department of Community Revitalization.
The Main Street Four Point Approach
The Main Street Approach was specifically designed to address commercial district revitalization. The approach combines historic preservation and economic development in an effort to revitalize our traditional business districts. It is a community-driven, comprehensive strategy that can be tailored to meet the specific needs and opportunities of individual communities, large or small.
Together, the Four Points provide a useful tool in addressing the needs and problems that our traditional commercial districts face in today's competitive market.
Organization: Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a vital role in revitalization.
Promotion: Marketing the traditional commercial district's assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors.
Design: Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems and long-term planning.
Economic Restructuring: Strengthening the district's existing economic base while finding ways to expand to meet new opportunities and challenges from outlying development.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust is a nonprofit organization chartered by Congress in 1949 when the need for a national organization to encourage the American preservation movement was recognized. President Truman signed legislation creating the National Trust on October 26, 1949. Today the National Trust for Historic Preservation is the leader in the preservation movement and in protecting this nation's historic resources.
The National Trust began with a primary purpose of acquiring and managing historic sites. Today the need for the National Trust has grown and its purpose has greatly expanded. It now provides public outreach and education, has a staff of more than 300, an annual budget of more than $40 million, nationwide regional offices, 21 historic sites, membership of over 250,000 and a host of programs, projects and services, all in the effort to "protect the irreplaceable."
