A Woonsocket group responsible for revitalizing the city’s center has
its days numbered and their leader couldn’t be happier.
Lori C. Adamo, executive director of the Main Street 2000 Development
Corporation, said the organization was formed 10 years ago with the
single goal of turning the depressed street around by the millennium.
“If we are not needed after 2000 that would be great, because that means
we did what we set out to do,” said Adamo, also Woonsocket’s economic
development director. “That will mean that the buildings are fully
occupied, storefronts are rehabilitated and the streets are bustling
with patrons.”
And if you look around Main Street that means they just might be on
schedule.
Following the recommendations of a national consultant on downtown
revitalization, the group with the help of the city took a hard look at
the woes of Main Street. Their first step was improving its appearance.
Period street lights were erected, sidewalks were replaced and plants,
shrubs and flowers were added along the street as well as in the small
park near the City Hall. Next, storefronts and other properties got a
facelift with the assistance of public grants.
Throughout the physical improvements, Main Street 2000 has worked on
attracting specialty businesses that could thrive in the setting. The
group found space, helped advise business owners, networked for them and
continues to promote the companies on Main Street.
“We think we will be close to meeting 100 percent of our goal by next
year, because throughout this effort we have continually jumped large
hurdles,” Adamo said.
Like most urban centers, Woonsocket was drained of retail business with
the rise of nearby shopping malls ten and twenty years ago. In turn,
storefronts became empty and Main Street’s appearance was ignored.
Participants in the grassroots effort to improve the center knew it
wouldn’t be easy when they joined forces in 1989. But with the help of
federal community development grants and funding from the Rhode Island
Foundation the group was born.
One of the organization’s first and most important moves was hiring
someone from the outside to take an honest look at Main Street. The
Virginia-based consultant Hyett Palma, renowned for its work with other
depressed urban areas, completed a study that today serves as a
blueprint to Main Street’s future.
“The report told us what kind of business to attract, what can be done
to attract business downtown and what kind of activities will draw
people downtown,” Diane C. Fournaris, marketing director for Main Street
2000, explained. “Since getting those suggestions we have made
substantial progress.”
The city of Woonsocket embraced the consultant’s first suggestion by
providing the funds and manpower to meet the aesthetic concerns while
funneling grant money to property owners looking to improve their
buildings. The city also opened Main Street to two-way traffic, making
it easier for consumers to get around.
Just as important to making the street look new and improved was having
people buying and selling products. That’s where Fournaris came in.
Following the physical improvements, the Hyett Palma report called for
the hiring of a marketing director to find appropriate Main Street
businesses.
“It wasn’t only about marketing the area to business, but marketing to
business that are here to stay,” Fournaris said. “We wanted to create a
niche of specialty businesses that you wouldn’t find at the malls in
Lincoln and North Attleboro.”
Fournaris’ job went beyond simply advertising that Woonsocket had the
space available. Once a business owner showed interest in moving to Main
Street, Fournaris and her organization would show space, help the person
develop a business plan and work with them in getting the needed
licensing in the city.
“Diane helped me tremendously. She found the building for me, gave me
all the names and numbers, and helped me with my business plan to get
loans,” said Stacey D. McCutcheon, owner of Stacey’s Sporting Goods on
108 Main St.
She said her company has seen steady improvement since opening in April.
“I moved here because, first of all, the rent is low. Secondly, because
as much work that we have done, I do think it will become even better
and be one of the biggest places to be,” McCutcheon said.
Stacey’s is just one of a handful of retailers of the 30 or so
businesses on the street. Most of the other businesses are restaurants,
salons and other service-related companies.
“Our niche is our service. I know everything inside and out about my
equipment and that’s something you won’t find at these big sporting
goods outlets,” McCutcheon said.
Donna Malmquist, owner of Donna’s Corner, a second-hand store that
opened last week, predicts a revitalization in Woonsocket similar to
that of Providence.
“It could turn out to be like what happened in Providence. They improved
their appearance and people came,” she said. “I didn’t just want a place
to open a store, I wanted to be part of Main Street.”
Adamo, Main Street 2000 director, said Malmquist’s attitude is another
important part of the equation for Woonsocket.
“The city, including Mayor Susan Menard, has brought a sense of pride
back to the city and to businesses. Landlords who didn’t care about
their properties are reinvesting in them and people want to buy property
again. People are starting to believe in Woonsocket,” she said.
Looking into 1999, Adamo said the owner of the former Harris Mill (also
known as the Kornstein building) is expected to spend thousands of
dollars rehabilitating the property, which includes six store fronts.
“Following that project, which is expected to cost six figures, there
will just be two other buildings that will need rehabilitation,” she
said.
Another goal in the new year is filling the space above the storefronts
with professional offices.
“And that will put us close to our goal,” Adamo said proudly.
She added that more than likely Main Street 2000 will dismantle, but its
theme will be passed on to the city’s merchants’ association.
“That organization can hopefully grow stronger and provide the
networking and administrative support that Main Street 2000 has done
over the years. In that case, the growth we have experience will
continue,” Adamo added.
