What is Pekin Main Street?
The mission statement for Pekin Main Street reads, "to preserve, restore and revitalize Pekin's downtown area, both aesthetically and economically, through educating the entire community to the benefits of Pekin's downtown." To accomplish the above mission statement, a four-point approach is used:
1. Build an effective volunteer-driven downtown management organization, guided by professional staff, with broad-based public and private sector support;
2. Enhance the design and appearance of downtown through historic preservation;
3. Create a unified, quality image and develop promotion strategies that bring people downtown; and
4. Retain and strengthen existing downtown businesses, recruit appropriate new businesses, and develop appropriate economic restructuring strategies to sustain the economic vitality of the downtown.
How is Pekin Main Street Funded?
Our programs are funded locally by contributions from individuals and families, businesses, building owners, local government, utilities and industry. Your donation helps revitalize and promote our historic downtown.
Contributions are tax-deductible under 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Since Pekin Main Street is a community project, you don't have to work in the downtown area to be a part of it. Over 70 "partners" contributed to the program in its first year of operation. Twelve other businesses donated "in-kind" services for the advancement of Pekin Main Street. In addition, some funding is raised through public events and promotions.
History
The Main Street Program was established in 1980 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to address and combat the threats on the commercial architecture and economic vitality of small city downtowns.
Today there are over 60 Main Street communities in Illinois, with more being added each year. Pekin Main Street is a nonprofit organization which received its official charter as an "Illinois Main Street Community" on April 5, 1999.
Pekin Main Street has a comprehensive plan for downtown revitalization, including adoption of design guidelines, incentives for building rehabilitation, customer surveys and basic market analysis, and the creation of several new downtown special events.
Executive Director
Leigh Ann Matthews
Board Members
Gregg Ratliff, President
Greg Henderson, Vice President
Jeff Livengood, Treasurer
Bill Fleming, Secretary
Jan Donahue
Greg Ranney
Melanie Broombaugh
Kim Murphy
Joy and Jim Schramm
Pat Rogers
Chris Deverman
Steve Brown
Mayor Rusty Dunn (ex-officio)
Denny Kief (ex-officio)
Design Committee
Greg Ranney, Chairman
Roy Williams
Kim Montgomery
Amy Wilson
Chris Deverman
Promotions Committee
Courtney Antonini, Chairman
Pat Rogers
Emily Lambe
Organization Committee
Melanie Broombaugh, Chairman
Kim Murphy
Jim Schramm
Fundraising Committee
Pat Rogers, Chairman
Jim Schramm
Economic Restructuring Committee
Steve Brown - Chairman
Donna Weghorst
Mary Smith
Todd Thompson
Brad Bernard
