Local Businessman Donates Property to DMDC and the City of Mt. Vernon

Thanks to the generosity of a local businessman, Downtown Mt. Vernon is taking another step toward their goal to revitalize the historic heart of the city.  In support of DMDC’s mission to revitalize and maintain Downtown Mt. Vernon as a commercial and cultural center of the local and regional community, Robin Hensley donated his property on South 9th Street to the civic organization and the city.  The vacant lot sits between the 9th Street Grill and the McCoy and Howard Building.  The intended use of the parcel will be to develop a green space in the spirit of the DMDC Master Plan Design created by RDG Architectural Firm in 2006.  The property was included in a design to enhance the south 9th Street corridor and the adjoining parking lots east of the buildings.

A top priority of the 2004 Strategic Plan was to develop a Master Plan Design for the Downtown area that would stimulate economic growth, enhance the streetscape appearance, improve quality of life, and encourage community pride in the cultural and historic values of the traditional heart of Mt. Vernon.  The purpose of a Master Plan is to provide a vision for Downtown, to give direction toward achieving these objectives and to be flexible to the availability of market demands of property and businesses and to public interests.

From left is City Manager Ron Neibert, Hensley, Mayor Mary Jane Chesley, Tourism Director and DMDC Vice President Bonnie Jerdon, and  DMDC Board Member Mark Hassakis.

Lt. Governor Quinn Celebrates With Local Leaders at 5th Annual Main Street Day Rally

On February 21, 2008, Lt. Governor Pat

Quinn celebrated at the largest Main Street Day rally in event history with Cyndy Mitchell and other MS directors.

State representatives and senators from many of Illinois’ 69 Main Street communities attended the rally and activities throughout the day.  Main Street communities showcased their successes with various displays and exhibits throughout the Capitol from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“Main Street helps communities develop a welcoming downtown area that reflects the Illinois quality of life,” Quinn said.  “The Main Street Program is reaching far and wide across the Land of Lincoln to help motivate citizens to create downtown spaces that are centers of commerce and sources of pride.”

Illinois is one of 40 states participating in the National Main Street Program, administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The Lt. Governor’s office administers the Illinois Main Street Program, now the fourth largest in the nation, with architectural assistance from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

In addition to meeting Lt. Governor Quinn, Cyndy also had an opportunity to meet with State Senator John O. Jones to discuss goals and progress of Mt. Vernon’s Downtown district.

DMDC Main Street Receives 

2008 National Main Street Accreditation