About Main Street
As directed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Kentucky Main Street program, Murray Main Street must follow the NTHP National Main Street four-point approach:
- Organization: Focusing on the structure of the program, the Organization committee works toward fundraising and membership ensuring the foundation of the program will remain strong.
- Economic Restructuring: The most difficult of the four points, E/R involves recruiting new businesses into downtown and historic areas, working on incentives for those businesses and working with the city government on those programs.
- Promotion: A healthy, vibrant downtown is created by awareness of activities and events happening and the promotion committee is the hub of successful events.
- Design: Many design projects for streetscapes, signage, façade grants and restoration are developed and supported through the design committee.
These four points are the standards required for the voluntary, working board of Murray Main Street.
Mission
Murray Main Street will stimulate economic development and investment in the historic district by promoting its distinctive qualities through preservation and improvement making it a great place to live, work, shop and play.
Vision
Preserving history’s future
Since the inception of Murray Main Street in 1998, over 12.5 million dollars has been invested into historic downtown. Over the years, 186 new jobs were created by in downtown with over 2.6 million dollars of private money being invested. In the historic district, more than 1600 people are employed. Façade improvement programs have totaled over 1.3 million.
Located in the Historic Post Office on the court square, Murray Main Street has successfully rehabilitated a historic building downtown, creating two opportunities for economic development. Currently, Murray Main Street has taken on a project of rehabilitating a Victorian house in the historic district, known as the Higgins House.
Deana Wright, certified Main Street Manager, has been with the program over ten years. Serving as the regional manager for Kentucky Main Street, she works with other regional programs assisting in large projects and needs.
The Board of Directors for Murray Main Street consists of community members and pillars of the community from all walks of life. The cooperation of many community organizations such Murray Convention & Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and Town & Gown add to the success of the program.
