Check our calendar for upcoming events
About Us
Our history
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
Main Street Bartow, Inc. (formerly known as Downtown Bartow, Inc.) was established in 1984 for the purpose of preserving and improving Bartow’s central business district. Main Street Bartow is the 2nd oldest Main Street in the State of Florida. In 1986, the organization received its designation as a State of Florida Main Street Program and has maintained that status.
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
We have a great team of energized people that care about our wonderful city!
Main Street Bartow is a local (501-C-6) organization dedicated to the preservation-based economic revitalization of our Downtown. We are active members of both the Florida Main Street Program and the National Main Street Center, a division of the National Trust F
We have a great team of energized people that care about our wonderful city!
Main Street Bartow is a local (501-C-6) organization dedicated to the preservation-based economic revitalization of our Downtown. We are active members of both the Florida Main Street Program and the National Main Street Center, a division of the National Trust For Historic Preservation.
Led by a Board of Directors, we employ and Executive Director and one part-time project coordinator. We are funded by Bartow’s Community Redevelopment Agency, The City of Bartow, and through local business and resident investment. Our work is accomplished primarily through committees of volunteers implementing activities in the areas of organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring.
Our mission
Our staff & volunteers
Our mission
To enhance, preserve and support economic development in the downtown historic district.
The Main Street Bartow community is an eclectic collection of restaurants with local and international tastes, boutiques, cafe's, antiques, salons, gift and home decor stores intermingled with professional services synonymous with a county seat. Main
To enhance, preserve and support economic development in the downtown historic district.
The Main Street Bartow community is an eclectic collection of restaurants with local and international tastes, boutiques, cafe's, antiques, salons, gift and home decor stores intermingled with professional services synonymous with a county seat. Main Street Bartow is also the home of Polk County's History Center, housed in the Historic Polk County Courthouse, which was built in 1908.
Approaches our Mission through a 4 Point Approach
Organization
Organization establishes consensus and cooperation by building partnerships among the various groups that have a stake in the commercial district. By getting everyone working toward the same goal, Main Street Bartow provides effective, ongoing management and advocacy for the downtown or neighborhood business district. Through volunteer recruitment and collaboration with partners representing a broad cross section of the community, Main Street Bartow incorporates a wide range of perspectives into its efforts. A board of directors and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of volunteer-driven revitalization programs. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid program director. This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities, but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.
Promotion
Promotion takes many forms, but the goal is to create a positive image that will rekindle community pride and improve consumer and investor confidence in our commercial district. Advertising, retail promotions, special events, and marketing campaigns help sell the image and promise of Downtown Bartow to the community and surrounding region. Promotions communicate Bartow’s commercial district’s unique characteristics, business establishments, and activities to shoppers, investors, potential business and property owners, and visitors. We accomplish these goals through monthly, annual and special events. View the Event Calendar.
Design
Design means getting Downtown Bartow into top physical shape and creating a safe, inviting environment for shoppers, workers, and visitors. It takes advantage of the visual opportunities inherent in a commercial district by directing attention to all of its physical elements: public and private buildings, storefronts, signs, public spaces, parking areas, street furniture, public art, landscaping, merchandising, window displays, and promotional materials. An appealing atmosphere, created through attention to all of these visual elements, conveys a positive message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the district’s physical appearance through the rehabilitation of historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, educating business and property owners about design quality, and long-term planning.
Economic Restructuring
Economic restructuring strengthens your community’s existing economic assets while diversifying its economic base. This is accomplished by retaining and expanding successful businesses to provide a balanced commercial mix, sharpening the competitiveness and merchandising skills of business owners, and attracting new businesses that the market can support. Converting unused or underused commercial space into economically productive property also helps boost the profitability of the district. The goal is to build a commercial district that responds to the needs of today’s consumers. Coincidentally, the four points of the Main Street approach correspond with the four forces of real estate value, which are social, political, physical, and economic.
Partnering with the City of Bartow Redevelopment Agency
What is Placemaking- Placemaking is a participatory process for shaping public space that harnesses the ideas and assets of the people who use it. What is the Goal of the Program- Provide support and funding to those who are interested in making a positive change through placemaking that assists in transforming Community Areas, Vacant Spaces and Lots, and the inside or outside of Buildings into a destination filled with a variety of active, beautiful, and creative works for public activities and gatherings.
For more information, please see the Placemaking page to the right.
As a Main Street America Affiliate™, Main Street Bartow Inc. is part of a national network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities who share both a commitment to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
