Micro Loans, Grants for Downtown Businesses

As we all know, this has been a challenging year for many businesses due to the economic slowdown. Some businesses are finding they need to make changes in order to survive and thrive, and others have learned that startup or operating financing is difficult to find. To help with this, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is offering a micro loan and a facade enhancement grant program to downtown businesses:

Starting in July, HDR is partnering with Enterprise Development Group of Arlington to accept micro loan applications for up to $35,000 for new or existing businesses. Businesses must have five or fewer employees, have a written business plan, and be located in the downtown district as defined by Virginia Main Street.

Project Approved to Create New Downtown Park

At Tuesday’s city council meeting, project plans were approved to turn the grassy area adjacent to the Downtown Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market into a public park (I’ve also alternatively heard it called “FunFest Park,” “the area behind the Municipal Building,” “the green space,” “Renaissance Park,” and “the-grassy-area-across-from-the-Daily-News-Record”).  Read more in today’s Daily News-Record and mayor Kai Degner’s blog.

The plans to install restrooms and a permanent covered stage for the public’s use and enjoyment have been in the works for many years, even before the Turner Pavillion for the Farmers’ Market was conceptualized. Many thanks to our councilmembers for approving the project. We are excited to begin finding donors to raise the $200,000 needed to make the plans a reality.

Downtown H’burg: Model for Development, or Gentrified Sprawl?

Last week was an interesting week for downtown in the news.  On Hburgnews.com, Thanh Dang invited readers to nominate development projects for the Valley Conservation Council’s Better Models for Development Awards.

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance board president Andy Perrine noted that the VCC’s principles of better development: conserve natural and scenic assets, maintain a clear edge, build livable communities, preserve historic resources, respect local character in new construction, and reduce the impact of the car – tenants by which HDR has long abided. The hburgnews post highlights four past awards present to Harrisonburg, all downtown: Court Square Theater, Liberty Park, the City Exchange and Walton Hotel.

In the same week, a letter to the editor of the Daily News-Record decried the Urban Exchange a “five-story monstrosity” and questioning the project’s role in downtown revitalization. As of today, 48 user comments have been generated in response by the realtor marketing the project, the original letter writer, our own Andy Perrine and the peanut gallery. With the exception of about three individuals, the majority have been supportive of the project to turn an abandoned car lot on Mason & E. Market Streets into a mixed-use residential and retail building.

Recognizing that there are many perspectives and ways of approaching downtown revitalization, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is supportive of the Urban Exchange as a model of “building up, not out” and new construction that will enhance downtown’s character – an eclectic mix of historic and modern architecture. Downtown belongs to the people, and we are interested in hearing all the opinions that exist in our diverse community. Your thoughts?

Downtown Volunteers to Go Door-to-Door (October 2008)

Q: What can you tell me about the Business Inventory and Survey planned for downtown?

A: The first business inventory was conducted in 2005 when HDR was a new organization and downtown revitalization was in its infancy stages. From this extensive survey, we were able to take a snapshot of downtown during that time, including how many jobs existed in the central business district, how many open office and retail spaces were available, how many people were living downtown, and what gaps we had in our retail sector.

Much positive progress has been made and downtown has grown significantly in these few short years. Now, it’s time to update the data for the purpose of assessing downtown’s current status and making improvements for the future.

Within the next several weeks, a team of trained volunteers under the guidance of JMU graduate student Jeff Byers will be going door-to-door to gather basic information about downtown businesses and residential units. The cooperation and participation of everyone is appreciated and will greatly assist with future planning for the shared success of our downtown.

No individual survey responses will be shared, but the information will be compiled. These summaries will become an important tool for attracting developers, entrepreneurs and business owners to downtown Harrisonburg. By attracting new businesses and development that compliment our existing ones, we anticipate that current business owners, local residents and visitors will all benefit in the long run.