Downtown Held Up As Revitalization Model

From the Daily News-Record

In Search Of Ideas
Harrisonburg Held Up As Development Model
Posted 2009-01-28 By Jeff Mellott

HARRISONBURG – Martinsville City Councilman Danny Turner sported his red Martinsville “Bulldogs” High School baseball cap on Monday while touring Harrisonburg’s downtown.

Harrisonburg has what Martinsville needs, said Turner, who was part of a delegation looking for ways to revitalize their city’s downtown.
Harrisonburg city officials guided the group and discussed the collaborative relationship that has made downtown revitalization possible here.

Highly Recommended

A Virginia Main Street official in Richmond had recommended both Harrisonburg and Staunton to Martinsville officials as successful programs to visit. The delegation spent time in both cities Monday.

A big difference between Harrisonburg and Martinsville is the role college students play within the community, said real estate broker James Coleman, a member of Martinsville’s delegation.

Martinsville officials are working with the state to establish a college to be located in the southwestern Virginia city, but that is years away, Coleman said.

Re-establishing a manufacturing base would be key to any revitalization efforts for his community, he said.

Martinsville’s economy has suffered as it has lost manufacturing jobs to overseas factories, while another mainstay, the tobacco industry, has been on the wane, Turner said.

Turner likes the variety he found in Harrisonburg’s downtown.

“We definitely need more restaurants in Martinsville and more nightlife to give the young people something to come back to and enjoy themselves,” he said.

Coleman agreed with Turner that Harrisonburg has the type of downtown Martinsville wants.

“You’ve got beautiful streets,” he said. “You’ve got great leadership. You have everything that we aspire to have.”

Tribute To City

It has been less than four years since Harrisonburg officials had gone on a similar trek, visiting Lynchburg in 2005 to seek ideas on how to bolster their year-old Virginia Main Street program for downtown.

This week’s visit by Martinsville representatives was a tribute to the Harrisonburg community, said Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Executive Director Eddie Bumbaugh. Downtown Renaissance is the nonprofit group that has led the city’s revitalization programs.

Bumbaugh said this is just another indication of how far Harrisonburg has come since the city became a designated Main Street community in 2004.

“To have another community visit this soon after that, tells me that downtown revitalization has occurred at a much more rapid pace than I would have imagined,” Bumbaugh said.

City Council Approves New Downtown Development, Rosetta Stone Building Purchase

Excerpt from DNR Article
Panel To Look At Taxi Contract
Council Endorses Plan For New Apartments
Posted 2009-01-28 By Jeff Mellott

…

In other business, the council approved a resolution endorsing a Charlottesville development company’s plan for a 110,000-square-foot apartment building that includes 22,000 square feet of commercial space.

The council’s endorsement was needed to allow the Virginia Housing Development Authority to participate in funding a project that is not exclusively for housing.

The developer plans to build the four-story structure for subsidized housing on North Mason Street, bounded in part by Gay and Rock streets.

And the council gave final approval for Rosetta Stone’s purchase of the former city police building on Liberty Street. The council sold three parcels totaling 52,313 square feet to Rosetta Stone for $300,000.

In exchange, Rosetta Stone expects to create 100 new jobs paying $50,000 each, and invest at least $500,000 in the property.

The land includes the former police department building at 179 S. Liberty St., with 14,400 square feet of floor space and another 8,500 square feet of paved surface.

The total of $800,000 from the sale and additional promised investment is for a property that is valued at more than $1 million, according to the city real estate office.

The assessed value of the property was $845,200 when the negotiations with Rosetta Stone started last year.

Arts Council Names New Director

From the Daily News-Record:

Valley Arts Council Taps New Director
Posted 2009-01-26
By Jeremy Hunt

HARRISONBURG – Cecilia Carter Browne was drawn to the city’s downtown.

When she found out she was in the running to take the helm at the Arts Council of the Valley, Carter Browne explored Harrisonburg and found the downtown to have the right combination of design, ambience, culture and history.

“There’s something about the downtown area that has a really good feeling to it,” she said. “This place has something special.”

The arts council board apparently had a good feeling about Carter Browne too. They hired her and last week, Carter Browne began settling into her post as the Arts Council of the Valley’s new executive director.

The council, a nonprofit organization that supports the arts in the Valley through grants, fundraising and other means, was founded in 2001.
She succeeds Kai Degner, the new city mayor, who left the position to work at the Community Mediation Center.

Carter Browne has a bachelor’s in art and art history from the University of Texas and a master’s in museum studies and marketing from Texas Tech University.

In 2001, the Texas Tech University system hired Carter Browne to launch a public art program for its campuses.

In 2006, it was named one of the top 10 university public art programs in the U.S. by Public Art Review, a journal devoted exclusively to the field.

Since taking the job at ACV, Carter Browne has been splitting her time between Harrisonburg and Charlottesville, where her husband works at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

Carter Browne says she’s been getting familiar with ACV, reading through past strategic plans and meeting board and community members.

“I’m sort of in an orientation phase right now,” she said.

Her varied experience working with museums, theaters and visual art made her a “perfect fit” for ACV, said Ann Menefee, president of the board of directors.

“We see her as a leader with the expertise and the vision for enhancing the cultural opportunities we have here,” Menefee said.

Carter Browne credited the council’s previous directors for building a strong program, and she wants to take it to the next level.
“I’m looking forward to taking the Arts Council to another step in its journey and developing it further,” she said. “I am enthusiastic and passionate about this opportunity.”

HDR Staff to Present at 2009 National Main Street Conference

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance staff members Jessica Chase and Alexis Morehouse have been accepted as lecturers for the 2009 National Main Street Conference this March in Chicago. This is the second year that the Harrisonburg organization will present their achievements to a national audience.

Last year, Eddie Bumbaugh presented the success of the group’s annual fundraiser event, Renaissance Night. Now, in accordance with the conference’s theme Becoming Main Street 2.0, Chase and Morehouse will present marketing, community outreach and volunteer recruitment ideas through virtual networking initiatives. Using non-traditional methods of marketing such as Facebook, online posts, Flickr, search engine optimization and blogs, the organization has seen significant initial response from community members of all generations.

“The idea is to find communication venues that require minimal investment, but yield high returns” says Morehouse, HDR’s Promotions Manager, “We were surprised to see our web hits jump from fifty one day, to five-hundred the next day just by adding a Flickr slideshow to our website” adds Chase, Program Manager. The two have worked to create a cohesive multi-media outreach campaign entitled Do Downtown. The goal of the campaign is to engage all age demographics in downtown revitalization – even students.

The staff of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance will travel to Chicago for this conference in March and have utilized tuition reimbursements, scholarships, lecturer discounts and dollars raised from a yard sale fundraiser to decrease costs to the organization.

“The effort is worth it since we learn so much from the conference and use tips of the trade to improve our work in Harrisonburg” says Kris Ludwig, Special Events Manager who won her tuition reimbursement from the National Main Street organization. Harrisonburg is one of only five Virginia communities able to attend this national conference and executive director, Eddie Bumbaugh attributes the accomplishment to a team effort:

“Our staff works hard to keep Harrisonburg in the forefront of the national revitalization movement. With supportive board members, city government and the community, we are able to keep the momentum moving forward.”

FC2 Announces Expressive Arts Contest

From the Friendly City Food Coop January Newsletter:

“In conjunction with the February Fest, we are announcing an Expressive Arts Contest.  Poetry, video, photography, rap, songs, and related expressions may be submitted. Winners will be announced at the February Fest on February 20th.  Both the runner-up and winning submission will be posted to our website.  All submissions must relate to the interests of food co-ops.  For further details, guidelines, and rules see the link at www.FriendlyCityFoodCoop.com.  Send submissions to SamuelNickels@yahoo.com or call Sam at 540-476-4180.”

The cooperative downtown grocery store is hoping to sign up 100 new members in time for their 3rd Annual Feb Fest, to be held Friday, February 20th from 7 to 10pm at the Lucy Simms Center just outside of downtown. According to their newsletter, highlights of the festival will include a silent auction, local foods from farmers and producers in the Shenandoah Valley, and performances from Scott Murray, Alex Albrecht, and The Mountain Valley String Band.  FC2 is looking for volunteers for the event – contact Adam Campbell at fcfcac@gmail.com or 434.4074.

This Weekend’s Events 1/16/08-1/18/08

Soup and Socks

The Friendly City Takes the Chill Off
Jan 18,11am-3pm | Court Square | Free

Free bowls of chili will be served at this event focusing on hunger and homelessness. The public is asked to bring canned soup for donation to local food banks and soup kitchens, as well as warm socks of all sizes, which will be donated to local agencies serving homeless people and families. Visit the above link for background information on the event.

Friday Jazz Jam

Free to Play, Free to Listen
Jan 16, 5-8pm | Adona Music | Free

Enjoy a night of jazz with players from beginner to advanced at Adona Music at 34 South Main Street (540.434.2099).

Visiting Artisans Series Continues

George Lange woodworking
Jan 16-17,11:00am | Hardesty-Higgins House | Free
George Lange exhibits woordworking and practical wood crafts such as spoons and ladles. Lange also designs creative kitchen tools in beautifully crafted wood.

Independent & Foreign Film Series

Featured Films: Frozen River and Synecdoche NY
Jan 16-20,times vary | Court Square Theater | $6 at the door; $5 for students on Friday

FROZEN RIVER
A powerful and unflinching tale of two women who make tough decisions in order to survive. (R; 97 min.)
Fri 4:15 & 9:45; Sat 7:00; Sun 4:15; Mon 7:00; Tue 4:15

SYNECDOCHE NY
Phillip Seymour Hoffman stars as a theater director in the surreal comedy by Paul Kaufman. (R; 124 min.)
Fri 7:00; Sat 4:15 & 9:45; Sun 7:00; Mon 4:15; Tue 7:00

Art and Yarn at Clementine

Art Show: Kat Corrin
Jan 16 | Clementine | Free
Featured artist Kat Corrin screen prints and sculpture.

Music: Yarn
Jan 17, 9pm | Clementine | $5
Americana band from Brooklyn. Their album Empty Pockets is currently holds the number 5 spot on the AMA Americana Radio Chart.

Downtown Events Receive a Makeover in the New Year

We mentioned in an earlier post about planned changes to the Tour of Virginia (Seven Projects to Be Excited About in 2009), which include keeping the bicycle races entirely in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County and holding professional and community races from the downtown to Reddish Knob. Tour organizers are still looking to secure a title sponsor for that event, and you’ll hear it here as soon as we hear more.

Other changes to recently formed events are planned for this year.  This year, Court Days Festival is reinventing itself as the Court and Market Days Festival with events centrally located around the Downtown Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market. Like in years past, this June event will feature historic reenactments and culture from 1850’s Shenandoah Valley, with an eye this year toward the area’s living tradition of the central farmers’ market. Expect 19th century traditions like shape note singing and a traveling medicine show to share space with modern craftsmen and musicians in this unique one-day festival.

As always, HDR needs volunteers to serve on event committees and day-of-event volunteers, as well as sponsors. Please contact Kris Ludwig if you can assist in anyway with the Tour of Virginia, Court Days Festival, or any of our other Spring or Summer events. 540.432.8922 or krisl@harrisonburgva.gov.

Speed Dating Returns to Clementine in 2009

What was your resolution this year? To be bold or more assertive, to have more fun, to find love, to find a jogging partner, a new friend? Let go of 2008 and your old inhibitions to take a chance on Speed Dating, hosted by Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. This is one of the best ways in the valley to have fun and meet other area singles.

As highlighted on hburgnews.com, Speed Dating will again be held at downtown restaurant, Clementine (153 South Main Street) on the evening of Saturday, February 7th. Event details and registration forms can be found at www.downtownharrisonburg.org or at the HDR office located in the Hardesty-Higgins House at 212 South Main Street (next to the library). Questions can be directed to Alexis or Kris at 540.432.8922. Any proceeds that are raised from the event are contributed to Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance’s revitalization and downtown beautification efforts.

Here’s what past Speed Daters have said about the event:

“I just want to thank you for all of the time and energy you put into this event.” -female, 34

“ . . . .speed dating is totally more fun than I thought it would be. Good event.” -female, 33

“Thanks for all of your work on this! This was a fun event! -female, 31

“Thanks to you, your staff and your volunteers for planning and running such a wonderful event.” -male, 48

“If my friend had not made me go, I would have never met my girlfriend. I’m so glad I took a chance, it was so much easier than I thought it would be!” -male, 27

“The entire program tonight functioned immaculately. You put together a great event. Every one had fun.” -male, 44

“This was a blast, and thank you for all your hard work. I can’t wait to see my matches. Please keep me informed if you do future events of this type.” -female, 54

You Made It! to Host Wine Tasting and Local Fare Sampling for Valentine’s Day

Celebrate love and friendship downtown with a Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting & Pottery Painting Event at You Made It! Pottery Studio. Bring a date or reserve a “stag” table for you and your friends.

Says co-owner David Miller, “I love this event. The studio fills up with doting couples and groups of friends that band together…Sipping wine, painting pottery together and enjoying local treats, it’s perfect.”

What’s on the menu: heavy hors’ duerves from Franklin’s Café & Wine Bar, delectable homemade truffles from Clementine Cafe, mouth watering sugar cookies with (what else?) heart sprinkles from Craving Cookies and gifts from Merle Norman Day Spa. Wines of all variety including reds, whites, Italian, French and more.

Cost: a mere $5 per person, plus the price of your pottery and studio fee.

Date: February 14th, 6-9pm (pre-registration required).

Location: You Made It! is located at 163 South Main Street in downtown Harrisonburg, VA. For more information call 540.434.4500 or visit www.youmadeit.net.

Stop by Winter Farmers’ Market This Saturday

With a new pavilion protecting vendors and visitors alike from wintry elements, the Downtown Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market has decided to offer four market days through March.

Visit the market the 2nd and 4th Saturdays in January, Feburary and March from 9 to noon.  The first market day of 2009 will be this Saturday, January 10.