Mitchell, Elaine C. "A Program in Practice: An Assessment of the Nova Scotia Mainstreet Program"

The Nova Scotia Department of Development introduced the Mainstreet Program in 1979 with the intention of refurbishing and revitalizing the downtown core of communities throughout Nova Scotia. Although the activities undertaken with Mainstreet funding address aesthetic, social and economic issues associated with revitalization, no attempt has been made to evaluate the program in practice. This thesis reviews the objectives of the Mainstreet Program and the downtown improvement projects undertaken in two communities -- Antigonish and Shelburne, and assess the factors that contribute to the revitalization of downtown.

Antigonish and Shelburne have participated in the Mainstreet Program since its inception in 1979. Both communities delineated a Business Improvement District (BID) and established a BID Committee to administer the Mainstreet funding; however, the range of downtown improvement projects undertaken in each community differed.

The major downtown improvement project in Shelburne was the restoration of the sea wall. In Antigonish, the downtown improvement projects were pursued independently by the Antigonish Downtown Development Corporation (ADDC), representing private sector interests, and the BID Committee. The ADDC used Mainstreet funding to improve parking facilities, implement a promotional plan and purchase and improve rental properties.

This thesis concludes that the Town of Antigonish provides an example of a successful revitalization of downtown through the Mainstreet Program Municipal commitment to revitalization is demonstrated by commercial policies in the Town of Antigonish while private sector commitment is shown with the formation of the ADDC, Downtown improvement projects undertaken in Antigonish largely conform to the policies appearing in the municipal planning strategy and downtown development plan, and meet the needs of downtown merchants, local residents and consumers, and tourist traffic.

Shelburne, on the other hand, although committed to improving the waterfront area of downtown, lacks a municipal planning strategy to regulate land use and promote revitalization. The Waterfront Master Plan (1987) uses the sea wall as a base for further improvements to the waterfront area with the aim of making it a major tourist destination. The suggested physical and aesthetic improvements are intended to provide an I anchor' for the revitalization of the larger downtown. There is some antagonism shown by downtown merchants toward the sea wall restoration and waterfront area improvements in that they have financially supported the project with the BID Tax Levy but have received no significant benefit from it. Shelburne also lacks the organizational structure to ensure a successful revitalization of downtown.

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This document was last modified on January 24, 2001.