Manchester Main Street

Manchester Main Street (MMS) is thankful for all the community support and volunteerism that helped make “Main Street Clean-Up Day,” held on Saturday, April 14th, a huge success. MMS’ Historic Preservation & Design and Promotion & Art committees secured permission from building owners to spruce up the storefronts of nine empty downtown buildings on Main and Walnut Streets. Twenty community members braved rainy conditions, cleaning windows, sweeping sidewalks, removing debris and hanging local artwork. Debbie Chinworth, MMS President and Historic Preservation & Design Chair, was instrumental in coordinating the event: “The vacant storefronts look amazing. Promotion & Art’s addition of the architectural artwork really makes the empty windows pop. What an improvement for our downtown!”

Manchester Main Street invites you to take a stroll of downtown. Eighteen large format reproductions of Brenda Ramseier’s architectural illustrations from MMS’ 2006 Tour Guide featuring North Manchester historic buildings are on display. Free Tour Guides are available at the Manchester Main Street office in the Chamber building (109 N. Market Street) and the North Manchester Center for History (120 E. Main Street). Notecards of the drawings can be purchased at the Chamber and The Studio (120 N. Walnut Street). And, 5×7, 8×10 & 11×14 photographic print orders can be requested at the Chamber.

The Promotion & Art committee plans to have rotating window displays by local artists. If you would like to sponsor a window display, $30 donations are being accepted to cover material costs. If you would like to become a member or join a committee, please download a membership form from the Manchester Main Street website or contact Renata Robinson, MMS Executive Director, for more information.

In partnership with the Town of North Manchester and the Community Foundation of Wabash County (CFWC), Manchester Main Street (MMS) is now offering engraved pavers that will be installed in the new downtown sidewalks this summer. This is an opportunity for businesses, families and individuals to have a permanent reminder of their participation in and contribution to North Manchester’s revitalization efforts. All sales revenue will be deposited in a CFWC restricted account and used to fund 2012 and future Manchester Main Street town improvement projects.

Two engraved paver sizes are available – 6” square and 6” x 9”. The 6” square provides 4 lines of text with a maximum of 9 characters per line and may be purchased for $100. There are two options for the 6” x 9” – Option 1: 4 lines, 14 characters per line for $150, and Option 2: a 2½” high business logo, plus 2 lines, 14 characters per line for $250. Suggested personalized text includes: individual or family member names, a dedication to a departed loved one, local businesses or inspirational quotations. All engraved paver text will face the buildings for pedestrian readability.

This tax deductible special “Early Bird” pricing will be available now through May 31st only. All orders processed after May 31st will miss the sidewalk construction deadline and will be subject to an additional $50 installation fee. Be sure to get your order in today.

Order forms are available at the Manchester Main Street office in the Chamber building (109 N. Market Street), local businesses or can be downloaded form the MMS website. Engraved paver samples, photographs and drawings of the new downtown streetscape will be on display in the North Manchester Public Library lobby (405 N. Market Street) from April 7 – June 15th. For more information, contact Renata Robinson, MMS Executive Director.

Manchester Main Street (MMS) will be hosting a “Main Street Clean-Up Day” on Saturday, April 14th, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. MMS’ Historic Preservation & Design and Promotion & Art committee members are partnering with students from Manchester College’s Volunteer Services department for a day of sprucing up the storefronts of nine empty downtown buildings on Main and Walnut Streets. Local businesses are also encouraged to “tidy up” in anticipation of the Town’s upcoming downtown Streetscape Renovation project, which will include new sidewalks, pavers, historic streetlights, planters and trees.

In addition to securing permission from the nine building owners to clean windows, sweep and remove debris, MMS will also be displaying artwork in the vacant storefront windows. The Promotion & Art committee plans to have rotating displays by local artists and this first round will be large format reproductions of Brenda Ramseier’s architectural illustrations from MMS’ 2006 Tour Guide featuring North Manchester historic buildings. Free Tour Guides are available at the Manchester Main Street office in the Chamber building (109 N. Market Street) and the North Manchester Center for History (120 E. Main Street). And, notecards of the drawings are also available for sale at the Chamber and The Studio (120 N. Walnut Street).

If you would like to sponsor a window display, $30 donations are being accepted to cover material costs. Cleaning supply donations are also welcome. North Manchester community members, other Manchester College students and volunteers interested in participating in the clean-up effort should arrive at the Center for History by 9 a.m. For more information, contact Renata Robinson, MMS Executive Director.

MMS' Proposed "Riverfront" Park site (view from Wayne Street looking south). Metzger Landscaping & Design's Riverbridge Electric sidewalk garden is featured in the foreground.

Manchester Main Street (MMS) was given the go-ahead at the Oct 5th (2011) North Manchester Town Council meeting to develop a plan for use of the riverfront land, at the site of the old Water Plant at the intersection of Main and Wayne Streets, and report back to the Town Council with a proposal. This is one of the only publicly owned riverfront properties in North Manchester and MMS recommends incorporating this new park into the proposed Community Trail Network. Manchester PATH Group, a MMS committee, has been constructing a Riverbridge Trailhead across the street.

MMS’ America in Bloom (AIB) committee held a public meeting at The Firehouse on November 3rd to generate park design ideas and community feedback. Over the winter months, MMS collaborated with local artists to develop large-scale sculpture options, and Metzger Landscaping & Design, LLC, designed a complementary landscaping layout. Renata Robinson, MMS Executive Director, then presented a comprehensive “Riverfront” Park proposal at the March 7th Town Council meeting. AIB has applied for a Community Foundation of Wabash County grant (March cycle) for matching funding. And, MMS is also be looking into alternate grant and fundraising options. Additional Town Council discussion and feedback is expected at the upcoming April 11th meeting. For more information, contact Renata Robinson.

Manchester Main Street 2012 Board (standing, from left): Peggy Gilbert, Leesa Metzger, Renata Robinson, Tim McLaughlin ; (seated, from left) Debbie Chinworth, Susan Manwaring, Dale Carpenter, Julie Dyson. Not pictured: Todd Lybarger and Ralph Naragon.

The Manchester Main Street (MMS) board and committees have been working diligently over the last couple months planning for several project launches this spring. MMS will partner with the Town and Parks and Recreation Department (NMPR) on beautification and improvements throughout North Manchester. MMS’ Historic Preservation & Design and Economic Restructuring committees are focusing their efforts on streetscape enhancements, facade restoration and filling storefront vacancies with diverse businesses. The Promotion & Art committee will display artwork, plan an annual spring arts festival and promote a town re-branding campaign. Manchester PATH Group and America in Bloom committees are currently working with the Town and NMPR on sidewalk improvements and a new town gateway park at the intersection of Main and Wayne Streets, one of the only publicly owned riverfront properties in North Manchester. PATH and NMPR are also developing phased construction planning and sourcing funding for the Community Trail Network, a multi-purpose recreational route that will snake along the Eel River and through the business and residential districts, connecting community landmarks and parks and providing a safe and scenic non-vehicular transportation system for North Manchester.

MMS welcomes new committee members and the public is invited to attend meetings to voice town improvement suggestions. “As Manchester Main Street begins applying for grants and other funding in early 2012, local community and business support is crucial. If you like what Manchester Main Street is doing, we urge you to download a 2012 Survey and Membership form from our website,” said MMS’ Executive Director, Renata Robinson. MMS’ office is in the Chamber building, and Renata also encourages business owners and community members to stop in, gather more information and provide feedback. “The organization is now 50 members strong, and we are pushing for 100 by the end of March,” Renata said. For more information, contact Renata Robinson.

Manchester Main Street has elected nine new members to serve on the 2012 Board of Directors, marking a distinctly new era for the organization. With the hiring of its first Executive Director, Renata Robinson, in late June, Manchester Main Street has undergone many positive changes over the last five months, strengthening its county and local partnerships, membership base, project focus and effectiveness, and overall community presence. Renata has helped organize this effort and is very pleased to be working with such a diverse, talented and forward-thinking group of community members: “The 2012 Board represents a wide range of community interests – Manchester College, downtown businesses, service organizations – and will help guide the organization as we shift our revitalization efforts into motion over the coming year.” Board members include: Dale Carpenter, Debbie Chinworth, Julie Dyson, Sarah Hawkins Moan, Todd Lybarger, Susan Manwaring, Tim McLaughlin, Leesa Metzger and Ralph Naragon. Manchester Main Street will also have the support and backing of several key community leaders – Dan Hannaford, Jeff Hawkins, David Hippensteel and Bill Konyha.

The appointment of the 2012 Board also marks the beginning of a new membership year for Manchester Main Street. “Since 1989, Manchester Main Street has been committed to revitalizing and enhancing the rich cultural, natural and architectural resources that make North Manchester a unique and wonderful place to live, but this cannot be accomplished without the active participation and financial support of the community,” Renata says. “Manchester Main Street is asking you to show your support by renewing or establishing your membership for 2012.” Members have the option to serve on any of the five dynamic committees: America in Bloom, Economic Development, Historic Preservation & Design, Manchester PATH Group and Promotion & Art. Manchester Main Street is also soliciting your input about how to build a better community in the year ahead. Visit the Manchester Main Street website to download a 2012 Survey and Membership form. For more information, contact Renata Robinson, Manchester Main Street Executive Director.

Manchester PATH Group, a committee of Manchester Main Street, will be holding a sidewalk community forum on Tuesday, November 15th at 6:30pm in The Firehouse (108 W. Main Street). Four panelists will present their perspective on how sidewalk improvements and non-vehicular travel will encourage community connections in North Manchester, with time for community questions and comments. Panel participants include: Town Council President, Chris Garber; North Manchester Parks and Recreation Board President, Weebe Naragon; Manchester Community Schools Business Manager, Steve Shumaker; and Manchester College Treasurer / CFO, Jack Gochenaur. Manchester PATH Group has been partnering with the North Manchester Parks and Recreation Department to create a Community Trail Network, which will enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety while showcasing the beauty of the Eel River. Results from this meeting will be presented to the Town Council in December. Interested community members are encouraged to attend and contribute their ideas to the discussion. For more information, contact Renata Robinson, Manchester Main Street Executive Director. Contributions to the Mike Brown Memorial Fund can be made out to Manchester Main Street, Inc., c/o Community Trail Network project, PO Box 26, North Manchester, IN 46962.

1999 Community Trail Network Plan

Riverfront park site view from the SR 114 Eel River bridge looking southwest.

Manchester Main Street (MMS) will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, November 3rd at 6:30pm in The Firehouse (108 W. Main Street), to generate community feedback on design ideas for a new riverfront park at the site of the old Water Plant at the intersection of Main and Wayne Streets. This is one of the only publicly owned riverfront properties in North Manchester and MMS is looking into the possibilities of incorporating this new park into the proposed Community Trail Network. Manchester PATH Group, an MMS committee, has been constructing a Riverbridge Trailhead across the street.

MMS was given the go-ahead at the Oct 5th North Manchester Town Council meeting to develop a plan for use of this riverfront land and report back to the Town Council with a proposal. America in Bloom (AIB) committee members will be moderating the Nov 3rd community meeting. In 2008, North Manchester won the national AIB award in its population group. Communities are judged in eight categories: landscaped areas, turf and ground cover, floral displays, urban forestry, tidiness, environmental awareness, heritage conservation and community involvement. Past AIB projects in North Manchester include: container gardens along Main Street, the Warvel Park Memorial Waterfall and Gazebo, the Halderman Cemetery Memorial and a SR 114 welcoming sign parklet at the western edge of town. New landscaping is being installed this month at the Thomas Marshall Home. AIB has been an MMS committee since it formed in 2007. If you would like to become an AIB or PATH committee member, contact Renata Robinson, Manchester Main Street Executive Director. Contributions to the Mike Brown Memorial Fund can be made out to Manchester Main Street, Inc., c/o Community Trail Network project, PO Box 26, North Manchester, IN 46962.

Manchester PATH Group, a Manchester Main Street committee, formed earlier this spring by 12 North Manchester community members passionate about showcasing and utilizing the Eel River waterway and bank, re-imagining a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly community and inspiring sidewalk improvements throughout town. PATH stands for “Pedestrians/Pedalers/Paddlers Advocating for Trails and Health” and the group has been busy over the last six months promoting the Town’s unique assets through marketing and events. Their first project was sponsoring a “Walk / Bike your Child to School Day” on Earth Day (April 22nd), followed by a “KickStand” booth at Farmers Market where they have been collecting community feedback and support for the Community Trail Network. PATH has been a partner with the North Manchester Parks and Recreation (NMPR) department on the Community Trail Network project since July and community-driven planning and construction of the Riverbridge Trailhead (along the western bank of the Eel River adjacent to Riverbridge Electric) is already under way. In late July, Jeff and Jane Hunn led a PATH bicycle safety demonstration at NMPR’s Fraggle Rock Summer Camp. And, in early August, PATH was joined by local farmers and community members for an Eel River clean-up day removing an impassable logjam east of the Manchester College athletic fields and clearing the way for the FunFest canoe race. To cap off the summer season, PATH held a bicycle ride from the Riverbridge Trailhead to the J. L. Hawkins Family Farm for artisan pizza and relaxing conversation in the bucolic “Fridays on the Farm” backdrop.

For the next three months, PATH will be focusing their efforts on sidewalks, conducting a community-wide focus group, documenting conditions in town and presenting a report and proposal to Town Council in December. Planning is underway and PATH will announce the date and agenda for the community forum after their October 17th meeting. Manchester PATH Group’s mission is connecting community through safe and accessible paths. Additional information and ways you can become involved can be found on PATH’s facebook page. If you would like to become a PATH committee member, contact Renata Robinson, Manchester Main Street Executive Director. Contributions to the Mike Brown Memorial Fund can be made out to Manchester Main Street, Inc., c/o Community Trail Network project, PO Box 26, North Manchester, IN 46962.

Manchester Main Street breakout group participants (from left): Dale Carpenter, Julia Felger, Peggy Gilbert, Susan Manwaring and Todd Lybarger.

Manchester Main Street met on Wednesday, September 28th, to discuss the vision, mission and goals for the organization, including setting project priorities and next steps for each of the committees. America in Bloom plans to install new landscaping at the Thomas Marshall home by mid-October. The Economic Development group will be exploring financial incentives and other strategies to attract new business and fill the storefront vacancies in town. The Historic Preservation & Design committee will continue to work with the Town to source funding for downtown facade restoration and streetscape improvements. Manchester PATH Group will be devoting the next three months to sidewalks through conducting a community-wide focus group, documenting conditions in town and presenting a report and proposal to Town Council in December. PATH is also partnering with the North Manchester Parks and Recreation department and the Rotary Club on the planning for Phase I of the Community Trail Network. The Promotion & Art committee will begin the brainstorming and community feedback gathering process to re-brand North Manchester.

Manchester Main Street will be meeting again on Thursday, October 20th at 6:30pm in The Firehouse (108 W. Main Street), to provide committee project progress reports and select the 2012 Board. Any interested community members are welcome to attend. If you would like to become a member or join a committee, please download a membership form from the Manchester Main Street website or contact Manchester Main Street’s Executive Director, Renata Robinson for more information.