Downtown Van Wert is open for business, and the next time you are here for an appointment, lunch, or to do a little shopping, chances are your parking space will be open too. For the past several months, Main Street Van Wert has been demonstrating not only the need but the importance of parking enforcement along Main and Washington Streets in our historic district. By enforcing the parking limits already in place throughout Downtown, the City is taking another step toward creating an atmosphere that encourages continued business growth.

Customers of both retail and service businesses enjoy the convenience of parking close to their destination. Driving around the block without finding a space is discouraging, leads to the perception that parking is not available, and may prevent that individual from returning to those stores and restaurants. The opposite is also true; who would open a store or restaurant in an area where there doesn’t seem to be any open parking? So the challenge is not only making sure there is enough parking for everyone who uses downtown, but to make sure that everyone understands the importance of parking in the area that best fits their needs. With today’s retail and consumer trends, it is important that the spaces closest to the businesses are available for customer parking and continue to turn over during the day. The more cars that park in one space each day translates into more money being spent at the independent businesses within the district.

If you actually take the time to count the parking spaces available in the free public lots on Central Avenue and N. Market Street, you quickly realize that there is not a parking shortage. The board members and volunteers of Main Street with help from our City Council took these counts on several occasions, noting each time that dozens of spaces were available during the busiest hours each weekday. This is why those who work or do business downtown for more than 2 hours at a time are encouraged to use these free public parking areas, leaving more street-side spaces open for customers.

Almost every rural community could make the argument that there isn’t enough parking on Main Street. In fact, some of the nicest and most popular small towns across Ohio are known for inadequate parking, yet they continue to draw people to dine and shop season after season. When visiting a mall or other big box store, no one thinks twice about walking a few hundred yards of asphalt before reaching the entrance. Historic town centers were designed and built long before automobiles were one per person, but that’s part of the reason Downtown Van Wert is such a unique place. It’s that character and nostalgic charm that invites us to park a block away and become a pedestrian, taking in the ornate buildings and rich history on the walk to our destination.

Those who work in the field of preservation often shudder at the thought of demolition. For most people it brings to mind heavy machinery, falling buildings, and piles of rubble and waste. And yes, too often historic buildings constructed of strong materials and unmatched craftsmanship do fall victim to this destruction. But another type of demolition exists and is happening every day in communities like Van Wert.

As a nationally recognized Main Street program, we rarely seek demolition as the solution for an aging property. Along with the City Design Review Board, we work closely with property owners and consider all the factors when discussing the options for a neglected building. In the case of 212 East Main, however, demolition of the property started long before June.

The neglect of a historic building is the second type of demolition. It doesn’t take machinery or work crews, instead it requires no action at all. Demolition by neglect is the destruction of a building through abandonment or lack of required maintenance. By simply not performing routine maintenance on the low pitched roof, aging wood windows and clapboard siding, you can ensure the demolition of a great building in a matter of years. This is why strong and growing businesses in our downtown are the surest way to achieve preservation. Having a store or business located in a building is a safe bet that the owner is performing the maintenance these older properties require. The longer a building sits vacant the greater the threat of demolition either because of an impoverished owner, an absentee landlord, or an uncaring attitude toward the goals of the downtown community. After being exposed to the elements and multiple vandalisms for too long, the building’s integrity becomes jeopardized and renovation is no longer economical. The most cost-effective solution for cleanup is then demolition.

When the last resort is demolition, we strive to make sure it happens with little disruption to neighboring businesses and downtown activity. We also make sure that a plan is in place for what the property will become once the building is gone. By working closely with the property owners, we can help them plan out a use for the open space to make sure it becomes an asset to Main Street and not an eyesore. We are saddened by the most recent victim of demolition, but excited about the future plans for the property and the role it will play in continuing to transform Downtown Van Wert into a more vibrant and thriving district.

The start of a new year means several things for me; I set a handful of resolutions to break and at some point I finally put away the Christmas decorations. But somewhere between eating healthier and watching less TV (two resolutions I attempt every year), I like to take time to reflect on the year gone by. For myself and for Main Street Van Wert, I feel it is important to look at the past year in detail. It’s an opportunity to recognize successes, learn from our endeavors, and set goals to grow as individuals and as an organization in the New Year.

For Main Street Van Wert, 2011 was a year progress even in the midst of a recovering economy. Fulfilling our role as an Ohio Main Street Program, Main Street Van Wert concentrated our efforts across four main categories. As a primarily volunteer organization, Main Street actively worked towards improving the downtown image, building cooperation between different groups, strengthening downtown economics, and promoting our downtown’s unique characteristics both locally and regionally.

2011 brought many new changes as well. New volunteers donated their time toward events and projects, new businesses found locations and customers downtown, and I joined Main Street Van Wert as Interim Program Manager in September.

As a Van Wert native, I find it impossible not to take pride in my community and our unique downtown. Growing up, I participated in summer activities at Brumback Library and visited Santa at his Workshop in front of the courthouse. I remember lunch at Balyeat’s, piano lessons at the music center, and watching summer parades. As an adult, I find it exciting to be in a role where I get to work toward improving the community where I was raised. It is a privilege to work with so many great businesses and individuals who support Main Street Van Wert and are helping us strive toward downtown revitalization!