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Welcome to River Falls Main Street Project.
We are a business supported organization of community minded volunteers committed to revitalizing downtown River Falls. Our goal is to support new and established businesses located within the Business Development District. This is accomplished by awarding monetary grants to qualify businesses who wish to improve the appearances of their store fronts through new facades or signage.
DON'T MISS OUT !!!
River Dazzle Extravaganza: November 24, 2006.
Afternoon Activities
Costumed Carolers
Great Sales at Main Street Merchants
Enjoy the Warm Beverages
& Holiday Treats
Santa & Mrs. Clause
At Veteran's Park
Cash Giveaway & Drawings Sponsored by River Falls Journal - Must
be present to win.
Reindeer,
Camel & Llamas
Veteran's Park
Children's Holiday Movie Courtesy of Falls Theatre
Dazzle Parade
Main Street - River Falls
Immediately Following Parade:
Grand Lighting of White Pathway - Ignited by
River Falls Hospitality Group
Free Hayrides until 8:00 p.m.
History
Wisconsin Act 184, signed into law in 1984 provided Wisconsin municipalities the power to establish Business Improvement Districts (BID). The purpose of the BID is to provide municipalities a means for programs aimed at promotion, management, maintenance, and development of the BID. In 1988, the city of River Falls established a BID for its downtown area.
The River Falls Main Street Project was created in 1989 to manage the downtown BID. The efforts of the Main Street Project Board of Directors are intended to enhance the economic, social, environmental and cultural health of the downtown BID and the entire community of River Falls.
Base funding for the Main Street Project is derived from a special assessment on properties within the BID. The BID was approved in the fall of 1988 by a majority of property owners in the BID and has been re-approved every year by the City Council after a public hearing process.
The Main Street Project is comprised of a board of directors composed of a majority of individuals where property or business owners in the BID
For the first ten years, Main Street’s day-to-day operations were managed by a full-time, paid Executive Director. In the fall of 2000 the Main Street director resigned and the Board of Directors decided not to re-fill the position. Since that time the BID has been managed solely by its volunteer Board of Directors. At this time, no BID dollars are used for salaries or rent.
Main Street’s primary emphasis is to provide matching sign and façade improvement grants to business owners within the BID. Grants are available at $.50 per $1.00 up to a maximum grant of $2,500 for signage and awnings and $.35 per $1.00 up to a maximum grant of $12,000 for all other approved façade improvements. Participants agree to follow all River Falls City Ordinances and Main Street Design Criteria. The Main Street Design Committee has full control of the design process and makes recommendations to the Main Street Board for approval.
Main Street also provides financial support to the following efforts:
River Dazzle Holiday Extravaganza
Downtown Gardens
Music in the Park
Art on the Kinni
Veterans Park