Expanded role envisioned for Main Street Rogers

ROGERS -- An expanded boundary and more events are a few changes expected for Main Street Rogers this year, officials said recently.

The organization plans to focus on the entire downtown, said Mary Schopp, a Main Street board member. Previously it focused on the historic district that includes about a seven-block area, she said.

Main Street also will see organizational changes, Schopp said. The changes will improve communication between staff and city, state and Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce officials, she said.

"Main Street's role is changing as the city changes," Schopp said.

The City Council approved a downtown plan last month.

"As downtown evolves under the Master Plan, a nuanced governance structure will be needed to support activation, sustain momentum, prioritize investments and promote economic development," the downtown plan states.

Main Street Rogers is shown as one of the organizations making up this initiative. The city, chamber, Visit Rogers and Rogers Downtown Partners also are mentioned.

Event production, aiding communication among business owners and historical preservation are a few of the roles Main Street can provide, the plan states.

Main Street Rogers started 31 years ago, Schopp said. Its first goal was to preserve the historic district, she said.

"We kept our buildings safe as the city changed," Schopp said.

This is still a critical role, she said.

Officials with the organization are able to connect property owners with resources including engineers and money to preserve historic buildings, Schopp said. The organization also is able to connect businesses with marketing and operation resources, she said.

The organization also has been holding community events in the downtown area since it started. Frisco Festival attracts about 25,000 people annually, Schopp said. The event is planned for Aug. 28-29 this year.

The event provides entertainment, food vendors, activity for kids and a beer garden, Schopp said.

Other events held by the organization annually include Oktoberfest, Razor Rail and Christmas and Halloween parades.

Raymond Burns, chamber president, said events are an important way to show the rest of the region what's happening in downtown Rogers.

"The right events entice people to come experience downtown," Burns said. "I think the landscape downtown will be changing quickly over the next three years so attracting people to see the changes is key to the marketing of the area."

Schopp said the organization plans to expand events this year. This could include adding more dates to Razor Rail, which allows people to catch an Arkansas & Missouri Railroad train downtown for transportation to University of Arkansas games in Fayetteville. The train transports passengers back after the event.

Main Street Rogers also is looking for a new executive director after Dana Mather resigned from the position last month. Schopp said the position will evolve as the role of the organization changes.

"It will certainly be a position that wears a lot of different hats," Schopp said. "We are looking for someone who can handle a fluid position."

Communication with other city officials is key to the role, Schopp said. The salary for the position starts at $40,000 to $45,000.

Jessica Rush is interim director for the organization. The person who takes the position will join the organization at an exciting time, she said.

"This is a prime time to look at restructuring Main Street Rogers to work better with the city," Rush said. "It is in a position to align with the merchants that are currently down here or hoping to be a part of downtown Rogers."

Schopp said more developments for the organization will likely be announced after Frisco Festival.

NW News on 08/22/2015

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