For
Dixon Main Street
, downtown revitalization is one of the core principals. Taking a page from its own playbook,
Dixon Main Street
experienced its own revitalization in 2008, growing the program with the strength of more than 50 active volunteers that donated well over 3,000 hours of service to their community. By focusing on the tenets of our mission statement,
Dixon Main Street
saw much success in fostering community teamwork, broadening the economic base of the community, improving the appearance of the downtown and promoting
Dixon
as a great place to visit, shop, work, play and live.
Our efforts were accomplished through the Main Street Four Point Approach that sees four separate committees working simultaneously to achieve the overall goals set by the Board of Directors. Those committees, Promotion, Design, Organization, and Economic Restructuring, were empowered by an influx of new volunteers that helped to create an energized atmosphere for
Dixon Main Street
. Our efforts were enhanced by the volunteers that helped to establish several new events for
Main Street
, such as Founders’ Day, Home Show, Golf Outing, Thai Festival, Chili Cook-off and much more.
Of course, economic health is vital to the Main Street mission; as well, and we were enthused to see so many businesses celebrating success in 2008. Trein’s Jewelry celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2008, making it the longest tenured retail business in the downtown, and Books on First celebrated its 10-year anniversary. And numerous businesses like Carebear’s Popcorn, Treats and More, Spurgeon’s Bay, Rhyno’s and J Salon marked their 1-year anniversary and many more celebrated being new to the downtown family including, the Dixon Dog House, Happy Trails, Beyond, Marceile’s Consignment Shop, Mama Cimino’s, Crystal Cork, Title Underwriters, Lee County Republicans, World Finance, Butcher Block Antiques . . .
Businesses and building owners took the opportunity to reinvest in the downtown through a variety of renovations. Both
Wilson
’s Tap and the
Dixon
Welcome
Center
were given the Main Street PRIDE Award for their efforts and others like Vegas Sun, Crescendo Hair, Salamandra, Touch of Thai, Sherwin-Williams, Fern’s Café and others also enhanced their stores.
Needless to say, there is a lot going on in downtown
Dixon
. And part of that activity is the Riverfront Project Heritage Crossing that will be completed in 2009. This project will be integral in the future development of our entire city. And in December, the city council adopted the Downtown Streetscape Design Guidelines submitted by
Main Street
and the Riverfront Commission, which should continue the growth and prosperity of our downtown core. I often refer to our downtown as the roots of the community; not just because it was where John Dixon’s ferry and home were located, but because it showcases the health of the city. With a strong downtown, the rest of the city becomes enhanced.
Thank you to everyone, the volunteers, the merchants, the sponsors and the residents of
Dixon
and the tourists that visited. As a community, we have created a wonderful downtown environment that will only continue to blossom as we move into the future. And remember this: By helping
Dixon Main Street
today, you will help to keep
Dixon
vibrant tomorrow.
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Since 1996, the Dixon Main Street has been an active, strong and exciting organization focused on the betterment of downtown Dixon and the city as a whole. We are an organization built and sustained by countless volunteers who are passionate about the services and events that Main Street provides. Our mission statement is simple: To foster a spirit of community teamwork and to strengthen, revitalize, and broaden the economic base of the community area, while improving the appearance of the downtown area, and promoting and marketing Dixon as a vibrant place to visit, work, shop, play and live.
