Four Point Approach

The following is text from the North Carolina Main Street Center. It provides a concise description of the Four Point Approach with specific items typically covered by each of the four points.

The Main Street or Four Point Approach features organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. It is under these umbrella issues that all downtown concerns can be addressed. Organization is the vehicle by which people come together to identify areas of common interest and decide strategies for moving forward. Promotion involves defining an image for the downtown and marketing that to people within and beyond the community. Design represents the physical image as well as the manner in which downtown functions, both publicly and privately. Economic restructuring is the acknowledgment that the market for downtown has changed and we need to understand the forces of change and what that means for future development.

  1. Organization
  2. Promotion
  3. Design
  4. Economic Restructuring

Organization establishes consensus and cooperation by building partnerships among the various groups that have a stake in the commercial district. By getting everyone working toward the same goal, your Main Street program can provide effective, ongoing management and advocacy for the downtown or neighborhood business district. 

Through volunteer recruitment and collaboration with partners representing a broad cross section of the community, your program can incorporate a wide range of perspectives into its efforts. A governing board of directors and standing committees make up the fundamental organizational structure of volunteer-driven revitalization programs. Volunteers are coordinated and supported by a paid program director. This structure not only divides the workload and clearly delineates responsibilities but also builds consensus and cooperation among the various stakeholders.

Areas of Focus

There are three basic areas of focus for Organization:

  1. Planning for Downtown's Success
    • Budget
    • Economic Drivers
    • Identifying Stakeholders
    • Mission
    • Plan of Work
    • Vision
  2. Managing the Main Street Program
    • Financial Management and Development
    • Organizational Structure and Partnerships
    • Staff and Volunteer Management and Development
  3. Promoting the Program - Telling the Story
    • Annual Meetings
    • Aurally o Using a Mix of Tools
    • Numerically
    • Press Releases
    • Speakers Bureau, etc.
    • Visually