Speaker talks about Main Street program's success
"I want to stand in front of a national audience again and be able to brag about Peabody's success as a Main Street city," said Doyle Hyett, keynote speaker March 4 at the annual Main Street dinner. "Our firm has a 14-year history with this community. We have seen your ups and downs. We remember when you were the hottest kid on the block in the Main Street program. We have talked about you all over the country. And I would like to do that again."
Hyett addressed an audience of about 70 people who turned out for the dinner. The theme for the evening was, "Peabody Main Street — Back on Track."
Hyett questioned whether Peabody was a victim of its own success. "It's hard to top what you all did so quickly and so successfully," he said. "And it's hard to maintain the momentum and enthusiasm of those early years. But you do it by going back to the basics. You remember the four-point approach and incorporate that into all your activities."
Main Street programs link together four areas — design, economic restructuring, organization, and promotion — to successfully rebuild downtown business districts. The formula is successful in towns all over the country. The Main Street program operates under the auspices of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
"Peabody needs to go back to the beginning," Hyett continued. "You need to reconnect with the community and the people."
"Your market analysis needs to be updated and the demographics should be amended, but a lot of what is in the original study is still applicable. Peabody's strategy should not just rely on a streetscape project. Streetscape is fine and it is necessary for your downtown, but it is not going to get you back to where you want to be," he said.
"Main Street has served this community well and can again, but there are no short cuts. You need to start at the beginning."
Hyett's firm, Hyett-Palma, is a market research company in Washington, D.C. He has made several trips to Peabody since 1989 when Peabody was accepted into the Main Street program.
Jean Stinson, state Main Street director, also spoke briefly to the group. She encouraged Peabody to re-focus its efforts and work on the four-point approach.
She said, "You have been invited to the dance. When you get there we hope you will dance and not sit on the side lines."
"We know this community can achieve whatever it sets out to achieve. We have seen it happen. I still use pictures of your downtown when I go into new communities or talk to towns about applying to become a Main Street City. You have been a huge success story," she continued. "And you can be again. In fact, we expect you to be a success again."
Joanna Brazil, Main Street director since September, gave a summary of the effort to rekindle the program in Peabody. She outlined some of the upcoming projects and encouraged everyone to become a part of the Main Street effort.
Muriel Wolfersperger, Arlen Gfeller, and Susan Marshall were recognized for their long-time commitment to Peabody Main Street. Each was awarded an engraved brick from the old high school building.
Elected as Main Street officers for 2002 are Mary Avery, president; Gary Temanson, vice president; and Glenda Mackey, secretary-treasurer (ex-officio member). Board members are Randy Cox, Beth Eldridge, Steve Hamous, Sharon Oursler, Gail Smith, and Peggy Weir.
