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 Rector Mayor Ron Kemp (center) receives from Main Street Arkansas assistant director Greg Phillips (third from left) a certificate recognizing Rector as an official member of the Arkansas Downtown Network. Looking on are, from left: Main Street Arkansas design consultant Susan Shaddox, Rector community development director Cyndi Corkran, Rector administrative assistant and ADN committee member Betty Benson, Rector alderman Glenn Leach and Rector city superintendent and ADN committee member Todd Watson. (Democrat photo/Ryan Rogers) [Click to enlarge] |
Arkansas Downtown Network (ADN) is a program designed to assist communities in efforts to revitalize downtown historic commercial districts. Rector was accepted into the program in May.
Phillips and Shaddox each offered some insight into the benefits membership in the ADN has to offer.
Shaddox, who has had her own interior design business in Conway for 25 years, said her main contributions to member communities and their local businesses tend to focus on appearance and aesthetic assistance. This could come into play in a town like Rector through a number of ways. Shaddox said she often examines photos of business interiors and exteriors and offers her input on what economical improvements could be made to help the appeal of the location.
"I think it's important people see a difference visually on the street," Shaddox said. "A cleaner look and appearance can make a world of difference to a business."
This discussion had local significance, as Mayor Ron Kemp asked Shaddox to help determine how to incorporate the modern appearance of the former Dollar General Store building and its vinyl siding into the historic appearance of other downtown storefronts and buildings. Shaddox visited the site with Kemp and other city officials and took photos of the area to return and evaluate. She will work alongside an architect in order to determine how best to make the building fit into the overall look of downtown Rector.
If a business asks for assistance from the ADN staff, these services come at no expense. Shaddox said the program is designed to help small communities get the most out of what they have. Any advice they present will be designed to be the most "true" to the area's historic significance. Any proposed changes or additions will be offered with an eye toward keeping costs as low as possible.
"We're here to help," Shaddox said. "When you need something, call. We'll do whatever we can."
The ADN has been in place for two years. In that time, the program has been gaining popularity.
"Currently, there are 12 Arkansas Downtown Network cities," Phillips said. "We are really starting to take off now, having added eight new communities to the program in May. We're starting to broaden our reach."
Phillips said Rector will benefit from its location.
"Rector is located near three other Arkansas Downtown Network cities and a Main Street Arkansas city," Phillips said. "That's going to allow us to have an increased level of interaction with Rector."
Many communities that join ADN do so because they are not eligible to be a part of the similar, larger Main Street Arkansas program. While ADN cities are allowed only a limited number of personal visits by ADN staff, Main Street Arkansas cities do not have such limitations. Due to the proximity of Rector and Main Street city Paragould, visits to Rector can be linked with trips to Paragould and other partner cities. Phillips said these trips could be made without necessarily counting against Rector's allotted visits.
With many business and property owners in the downtown area working together to strengthen the district, the hardest part may have already been accomplished.
"The main thing is that you're all working together," Phillips said.
Kemp noted the current efforts, stating, "We're starting to develop plans for each of our downtown buildings."
