Midtown Market District celebrates it’s
one year anniversary
MODE
recently spent a few minutes with the
Executive Director of the Midtown Market District (organization). Harrisburg’s
historic midtown market district is going through a revitalization. So strong a
revitalization that a planning and action-taking non-profit organization has been formed
to tackle the tasks associated with rejuvenating a metropolitan downtown area.
The Midtown Market District celebrated it’s one year anniversary this past June,
marking their successes and future plans in the community. Executive Director Martha
McGraw tells us that it started with the Main Street USA program. The Main Street program
was a Federally- funded pilot project to investigate the possibility of developing the
downtown area of Harrisburg. All but the title of the Main Street program have passed, and
now the Midtown Market District (MMD) program, a locally funded effort, has taken its
place. The goal of the Midtown Market District is to help revitalize commerce and business
on North 3rd Street between Forster and Reily Streets.
A task not to be taken lightly, the MMD draws resources from several organizational
committees, the area merchants, residents and concerned members.
Working diligently over the past year, the Midtown Market District has grown into five
committees. It has drawn in dozens of (contributing) members. It has begun work with the
local merchants and residents. Most of all, it has motivated the residents and businesses
of 3rd Street to get involved.
The five committees of the Midtown Market District are the Design Committee, the Economic
Development Committee, the Safety and Codes Committee, the Promotion Committee, and the
Organization Committee. Each committee works toward specific goals set within that
committee, and towards the common goal of revitalization. The Design Committee is working
primarily on the visual appeal of 3rd Street, and what can be done to improve the overall
presentation of the area. The Economic Development Committee is working on bringing new
businesses onto 3rd Street while helping existing businesses grow and expand. The Safety
and Codes Committee is working closely with the city to physically clean up 3rd Street.
They are also working directly with the police department to bring more officers
(especially on bicycles) into the business district. The Promotion Committee is working on
publicity and seasonal promotions that will bring more shoppers to the 3rd Street
merchants. Finally the Organization Committee puts the organization on track. They keep
things running smoothly under the direction of President Margaret Danner.
Keep in mind that the Midtown Market District is a non-profit organization, and on their
three year anniversary, all local funding stops. Membership will be the key to a strong
Midtown Market District. The MMD have already begun a membership drive that appreciates
donations as small as $25. In addition to financial contributions, members are joining as
committee members and volunteers that want to contribute to the community. If you want to
get involved, we’ll give you a number to call at the end of this article.
One of the more exciting facets of the Midtown Market District program is the way they are
getting the local merchants and residents involved. One of the most unique, and
impressive, programs is the "Share A Window" program. This program gets
merchants together; ones that have extra store-front window space, and ones that need it.
The program gives merchants a way to gain exposure and mutual customers. Martha McGraw,
Executive Director, told MODE that she was: "extremely pleased by the number of
merchants willing to get involved in the ‘Share A Window’ program."
The impact of the Midtown Market District is one of true motivation. Both residents and
businesses are getting into the community spirit. Residents have heard about the program
and are volunteering in many ways. Businesses are excited about revitalizing 3rd Street,
and many have already begun cleaning and refreshing their store fronts in anticipation.
New and established businesses alike are considering 3rd Street as a new home for their
operations. MODE is a perfect example. We are a publishing company that could
operate literally anywhere. When the opportunity to move into a store front space right on
3rd Street presented itself, the decision was made in minutes. Our offices are now happily
located on 3rd Street, motivated by the prospect of contributing to the growth and
development of Harrisburg’s downtown business district.
If you would like more information about the Midtown Market District (organization) and
what you can do to contribute, call them during regular business hours at: 221-8134. Their
offices are located in the Historic Harrisburg Resource Center, on 3rd Street. |
