Past, Present & Future
The Downtown St. Charles Partnership was originally established
in 1992 as a not-for-profit corporation known as "Friends
of Downtown St. Charles, Inc.". "Friends of Downtown
St. Charles" was formed by the Downtown Committee of
the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. The "Friends" evolved
to become a highly creative and dedicated organization of
volunteers focused on the preservation and revitalization
of Historic St. Charles. Partnerships with city government
and civic groups were formed to expand the scope of the organization's
efforts.
In 1994, the organization adopted a new identity as the
Downtown St. Charles Partnership, Inc. In 1996 the "Partnership" became
part of the Illinois Main Street Program under the office
of the Lieutenant Governor, as a self-initiated community.
The Partnership has been affiliated with the National Trust
for Historic Preservation's Main Street Program since 1992.
Professional staff members and a Board of Directors administer
the Downtown St. Charles Partnership. The board is composed
of elected volunteers and civic leaders representing a diverse
cross-section of the community's business and social interests.
The Downtown St. Charles Partnership works closely with
city government, other community organizations and the private
sector. This public-private partnership is resulting in dramatic
improvements in the physical, social and economic environments
of Historic St. Charles.
The Downtown St. Charles Partnership's Program of Work is
implemented by dedicated members volunteering on five standing
committees:
The Organization Committee's responsibility is to build
support within the community and keep the Partnership in
good working order. This is done by raising money, managing
staff and developing volunteers and leadership, communicating
about the Partnership and its work, and developing good accounting
procedures.
Marketing a unified, vibrant and quality image of historic
Downtown St. Charles to its residents and visitors alike
reflect the efforts of the Marketing & Promotion Committee.
The visual quality of Historic Downtown St. Charles is placed
in the hands of the Design Committee. These committee members
address such issues as signage, landscaping, public art,
parks, building rehab and historic preservation.
The Economic Restructuring Committee members are looking
and finding ways to recruit new businesses downtown and help
existing businesses as they look to expand.
Analyzing and improving downtown parking areas and traffic
patterns are the goals of the Parking & Traffic Committee
as they seek to create a more pleasant downtown experience.
Each day of progress creates new challenges. The Downtown
St. Charles Partnership is dedicated to continuing to create
a vital and economically vibrant downtown for its residents
and visitors alike through the concerted efforts of it's
citizens, business people, property owners, civic leaders
and elected officials. |
