| An enticing street that invites
pedestrians to stroll along it safely
and freely is essential to the vitality
and stability of Atlantic Avenue. One only has to look to the Walk Outlets along Michigan Avenue to understand the importance of aesthetically pleasing streetscape, well-designed and maintained buildings, and enticing window displays. Attention to the design details of the street is very important to creating visual interest and thereby inviting pedestrians to stroll down the street. Good design elements also increase the sense of safety and attract more people to the street. Enhancements to existing design components and the addition of new ones offer a cost-effective way of restoring character and vibrancy to Atlantic Avenue. In the Spring of 2006, Main Street Atlantic City was awarded a Community Development Block Grant to support the beautification of the Main Street District along Atlantic Avenue. In addition to the signature blue and yellow MSAC banners, new hanging planters were installed on the lampposts |
throughout the district, resulting
in a brilliant display of vibrant
foliage. The existing sidewalk
planters were filled with an assortment
of colorful annuals and perennials. Expect even more spectacular improvements in the Spring of 2007, as we will be installing new large planters on each corner throughout the Downtown District. The Downtown Beautification Initiative also includes the cleaning and greening of vacant lots—a key ingredient in enhancing the visual experience of edestrians in the downtown district. Empty and trash strewn lots promote the perception of crime and danger, as well as create a setting for undesirable activities. MSAC is committed to the preservation and enhancement of open spaces as an essential element of a vibrant downtown. Attractive open spaces that can be used for recreation and relaxation are important for the social and economic development of Atlantic City. MSAC completed its first pocket park in a vacant lot at Connecticut and Atlantic avenues and is cur |
rently
considering the site of the
recently-demolished Lieberman
Building at MLK Boulevard as the
location of our next project. MSAC has contracted with ACSID’s Landscaping Division for the installation of banners, hanging planters, and sidewalk cleaning. A storefront enhancement program is planned for the Fall as an extension of the Downtown Beautification Initiative. Through the support of Main Street New Jersey, MSAC is working with a leading business development firm that specializes in retail consulting to develop an exciting visual merchandising program for the Main Street merchants. Business owners will not only learn the how and why of creating attractive window displays, but will be provided the tools to actually transform their storefronts. These initiatives in conjunction with MSAC’s Safety Series, outlined below, promise to move us closer to our shared vision of a welcoming, vibrant and diverse downtown core that offers something for everyone! |
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| Main Street Atlantic City has
partnered with the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and the Atlantic City Special Improvement District Ambassador Program to develop a Downtown Safety Series for merchants. Our team approach will focus on partnerships between the City, residents and business owners to decrease crime and nuisance activity. In the Spring of 2006, surveys were distributed to all of the merchants in the Downtown District asking them to identify the issues that were negatively impacting their businesses. We received 27 responses, the majority of which identified loitering and shoplifting as the major concerns. As a follow- up to the survey, Dr. Marissa Levy, a professor in Stockton College’s Criminal Justice program and an |
expert in “Environmental
Crime”, conducted a free workshop for merchants that outlined
safety strategies and crime prevention
techniques for small businesses. This fall, Dr. Levy will continue her work in the Main Street Downtown District by expanding her efforts to include individualized one-on-one consulting with teams of Criminal Justice students. Student groups will work with merchants to assess their stores, provide strategies to ensure a clean, safe and friendly environment, and implement the recommendations. The goals of the program are many—to reduce and deter crime and nuisance activity, to educate merchants on the theory and techniques of maintaining a clean, safe and friendly |
environment, to produce visible
improvements along Atlantic Avenue, and to enhance the experience of all those who utilize the Downtown. Another free workshop will be offered in the coming months as part of the Safety Series and MSAC’s Downtown Beautification Initiative. The workshop will review basic crime prevention strategies; however it will focus more closely on the use of attractive window displays to promote safety and draw new customers. Main Street New Jersey, the state’s coordinating program, has provided an amazing opportunity to us to work with a leading business development firm that specializes in retail consulting to develop an exciting visual merchandising program for the Main Street merchants. More details will be announced soon! |
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