38 CITY OF FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE Goal 5: Enhance Downtown Management & Marketing Efforts The economic health of downtown Franklin got its first boost in the 1980s when a substantial investment was made in the physical appearance of Franklin’s Main Street. These efforts, combined with the establishment of the Downtown Franklin Association, were critical to improving the condition of this community asset. Sustaining and building on commitments heretofore made to downtown Franklin on the part of the private and public sector will be critical to its continued preservation. Thus, downtown management and marketing efforts should be enhanced to enable downtown Franklin to remain competitive in the regional market place while preserving the historic resources that provide its distinctive identity. Encourage Ground Floor Retail on Main Street The viability of Franklin’s Main Street as a retail destination and activity generator plays a critical role in the overall health and preservation of downtown Franklin. A healthy downtown must have a solid retail core. The presence of retail businesses, rather than offices, on the ground floor of Main Street’s buildings is an important factor in generating economic activity. According to a 2001 study of downtown retail commissioned by the Heritage Foundation, downtown Franklin is experiencing pressure to convert first floor retail spaces into professional offices. Moreover, as the study points out, the relocation of traditional activity centers like the County library away from downtown places even greater import on retaining ground level retail that will facilitate a good pedestrian environment for downtown shoppers. Working in partnership, the City and Downtown Franklin Association should make a commitment to encouraging ground floor retail along Main Street by: exploring possibilities for tax incentives. identifying alternate locations for commercial office space. developing an Internet-accessible database of market-oriented information on downtown properties and use it to attract targeted retail niches as identified in the 2001 retail study. Strategies to Enhance Downtown Management and Marketing Efforts Encourage Ground Floor Retail on Main Street Invest in Downtown Marketing and Management
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