About Main Street Mansfield
Executive Director's Newsletter

It is a brand new year and with the transition comes time to reflect on the past year. Our goals of adding more walking traffic in the downtown were improved with our 18 weeks of the Open Air Market, which was held on the south side of Central Park. This was the first year the market was held on the south side of Central Park and it was well received. The success was visible on the Lincoln Highway Bi-Way Celebration were we added a garage sale to the normal produce market. The combination of the Open Air Market and the Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Sale generated a great deal of sales for this one day venture, and spirited may individuals to come downtown.

In 2006 we were able to several Facade Improvement Grants for downtown businesses, and help plan the Buckeye Pre-Season Tailgate Party. This was a complete success and many non-profit agencies were able to showcase their organizations. The four clean-ups that we co-sponsor the City of Mansfield Litter Prevention Department was also successful thanks to the many volunteers who participated. The 11th Annual Heart of the City Cruise In was the biggest in memory and the Mansfield 250 NASCAR Truck Series brought trucks, drivers and fans to downtown. Thousand of people attended these events, which helped to showcase our beautiful downtown.

The 4th Annual FirstMerit Holiday Parade went off without a hitch and was expanded to include clowns, more live music, including a calliope and over 50 parade entries. After the parade Main Street Mansfield partnered with the Renaissance Performing Arts Association, Ohio State University Mansfield and Time Warner Cable to present the OSU vs. Michigan live on the 40 foot super screen. The attendance was estimated at over 750 people the largest for this type of event and everyone had a fantastic time watching OSU beat their number one rival.

Neighborhood and Upper floor housing are being pursued to get people to move and live in the downtown area. We are working to bring a mix of businesses downtown that can help sustain the necessities of everyday life.

This year will be full of information about Traffic and Parking, downtown living and new businesses that are looking to come to our area. 2007 should be another great year for downtown Mansfield.  

Burton Stahl                                                     
Executive Director
Burton@downtownmansfield.com