A North Carolina Main Street Program

In May 2011 Pittsboro applied to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and was accepted into the North Carolina Main Street program — a program designed to help historic downtowns rebound from the loss of businesses and capitalize on their unique assets to retain existing businesses and attract new ones.

Public charrettes facilitated by consultants from the state were convened and attended by property owners, business owners, and interested citizens. The Main Street Pittsboro group defined the physical boundaries of our district (see the map below). The group also developed a guiding vision and set of goals.

Main Street Pittsboro Program Goals

The top goals that were agreed on in the three areas of the comprehensive Main Street program approach are:

Design Committee & Goals 

• Improve sidewalks, streets, streetscape, alleys, signs, accessibility
• Improve parking
• Add more public gathering spaces/parks
• Improve building facades and preserve historic character

Promotions & Marketing Committee & Goals

• Promote local history, arts, foods, and sustainability
• Develop a branding campaign
• Develop and present focused events featuring local artists, musicians, and public art
• Develop cooperative marketing with local businesses to increase foot traffic downtown

Economic Vitality Committee & Goals

• Recruit and retain more businesses, ensure business variety
• Develop a downtown “destination”
• Develop business incentives
• Identify buildings needing renovation

Main Street Pittsboro Board

Commissioner Mike Dasher
Liaison with Chatham County
Chair of the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, Managing Partner at Orange Communities, LLC

Thomas Delafield  Board Secretary
Director of Project Development for Renewable Energy Services, LLC, a utility-solar developer

Betsey Elbogen
Owner of Perch Coworking, Member of the Pittsboro Business Association

Doug Emmons  Board Treasurer
Former Board Chair of the Chatham County Economic Development Corporation; Former Board Chair of the Chatham County Literacy Council; Retired Marketing and Business Development Executive

Commissioner Michael Fiocco  Chair, Design Committee
Liaison with the Town of Pittsboro
Commissioner of the Pittsboro Town Board; Principal & Land Development Manager at Civil Consultants, Inc.; Co-owner of Flyleaf Books

Chris Kennedy
Town Manager, Town of Pittsboro

Greg Lewis
Co-owner of  The Sycamore at Chatham Mills; Co-owner of 39 West Catering; Member of the Pittsboro Business Association

Maria Parker-Lewis  Board President
Pittsboro Business Association Member and Events Chair; Co-owner of  The Sycamore at Chatham Mills; Co-owner of 39 West Catering  

Lesley Landis  Chair, Promotions Committee
Principal & Graphic Designer at Lesley Landis Designs; Board Member of the Chatham Arts Council; Founder of Wake Up Wednesday; Member of the Pittsboro Business Association

Randy Voller  Chair, Economic Vitality Committee
Principal & Real Estate Broker at VRC, Ltd; Co-owner of Voller Properties LLC; President of Sustainable Prosperity Inc.; Member of the Pittsboro Business Association; Former Mayor of the Town of Pittsboro

The Physical Boundaries of the Main Street Pittsboro District