JANUARY UPDATE: A New Year and New Transformation Strategies

Friends, Neighbors & Community Members,

I hope this new year finds you in good health and good spirits. 

It has been another challenging winter for our community, and we're all hopeful for some brighter days ahead. I'd personally like to offer my sincere thanks to everyone in our community who has cared for someone this season. Whether you have provided healthcare services to a patient, supported a local non-profit with goods or time, spent money at a local small business, or delivered soup to a friend's door, it's so important that we come together as a community during these times, with care, empathy, and support. Thanks to each of you who have truly been there for each other.

The first line of Main Street Saint Joseph's mission statement is to "cultivate a collaborative community mindset," and the remainder of the mission statement* outlines what we'll focus on achieving together with that powerful mindset. And so, in everything we do, in every committee we form, and with every event we hold, Main Street Saint Joseph is committed to creating, growing and sustaining community. 

BOARD MEMBERS

The first year of building the Main Street Saint Joseph organization saw some gradual, meaningful progress, as well as a few challenges. Due to time/work conflicts and one board member moving away, the original slate of directors announced in spring 2021 has seen some changes. Our goal has always been to fill
board seats for maximum reach and effectiveness across local orgs, areas of expertise, and levels of community engagement. With that, I'd like to provide you with an updated list of community members who currently serve on the Main Street Saint Joseph Board of Directors:

• Dana Massin, President/Committee Chair - Downtown business owner, Manic Snail 
• Evan Banks, Vice President - Campus Visits Program Coordinator, MWSU
• Todd Coffman, Secretary - Downtown property/business owner: Nesting Goods, Alchemy Tea
• Pat Modlin, Treasurer - Downtown property/business owner: Room 108, Felix Street Gourmet 
• Christy George -  Downtown Liaison for MOSAIC, and Administrator for Downtown Association & CID
• Max Guenther - Architect and downtown property and business owner, Artcrafts Engraving
• Brian Kirk - Lead Pastor, First Christian Church, downtown
• Dr. Kim Schutte - Historic Preservation Planner, City of St. Joseph
• Trevor Tutt - Community Development Specialist, Mo-Kan Regional Council
• Tama Wagner - Director, Community Alliance of St. Joseph
  
  

TRANSFORMATION STRATEGIES

At the end of the 2021 calendar year, after reviewing community feedback, and assessing recommendations from our state partners at Missouri Main Street Connection, the Main Street Saint Joseph board voted on and approved two key "transformational strategies" that will be the focus of our downtown revitalization efforts to guide our vision, and inform our projects. 

Transformation Strategy #1: Arts & Entertainment

Based on community feedback, a focus on bringing more Arts & Entertainment to downtown was the top feedback from the survey. 

Transformation Strategy #2: Strategic Occupancy

We all know downtown possesses many vacant buildings and storefronts, as well as the need to analyze current residential life and related needs and opportunities. A strategy focused on strategic occupancy will analyze business/residential makeup and look at how businesses and living spaces play off of one another to form cohesive communities. 

NEXT STEPS

Our board of directors will attend a 4-hr training session with Missouri Main Street Connection on March 3rd, focused on learning/utilizing the Main Street tools and methods to set goals and create plans that align with the above Transformation Strategies, and how we might best grow community around these goals.

With regard to strategy #1, "Arts & Entertainment," we have already begun to brainstorm new downtown events for 2022 that we hope will forge lasting community partnerships, and build a sustainable events calendar for years to come.

CONCLUSION

From all of us with Main Street Saint Joseph, thank you for showing up for your community in the many ways that you do. There are certainly more exciting things to come. Stay tuned another monthly update in February.

Warmest Regards,

Dana Massin, President

*The MISSION of Main Street Saint Joseph is to cultivate a collaborative community mindset, concentrated on achieving shared goals that focus on historic preservation and economic vitality of our celebrated city center, and the enhanced quality of life it can provide for all. 

Our VISION is that our downtown district is a vibrant heart of our community, welcoming everyone and providing them with enriching and memorable experiences.