A PROGRAM OF THE MEDC
NAVIGATING A NEW REALITY — TOGETHER
We’re taking a look ahead at “new reality” possibilities and working to compile potential reopening strategies, ideas, hints and tips for businesses, business districts and organizations as we enter the COVID-19 recovery phase.
prefaces and realities
- This is uncharted territory: there really are no precedents, best practices, or tried-and-proven reopening strategies.
- The reality is, in many places, we will not be returning to “business as usual” this year.
- Many of the earliest examples of effective reopening strategies are likely to come from Italy, Denmark, Austria, and other countries entering recovery mode sooner.
- Recovery will be gradual and, in some cases, slow – possibly occurring over a period of 12 to 18 months or more, and with possible starts and stops along the way.
- Not all businesses will survive. Different studies have identified the very types of specialty retail and eating and drinking establishments populating our districts as being at immediate risk. Those that were struggling before the pandemic are especially vulnerable.
STRATEGIES AND IDEAS
We’re doing our best to organize and update content for quick access based on your needs, interests and industry.
FOR BUSINESSES
Retail Establishments
Ideas for enhancing your customers’ comfort level, taking care of employees, rethinking floor plans, taking your online presence to the next level, and more.
Restaurants
Online ordering, curbside pickup and other modifications made to weather the immediate crisis could be just the start of changes that lie ahead.
Service Businesses
Enhancing client comfort levels will be especially critical for close contact service providers who must also be adept at scheduling, complying with stepped-up PPE and health safety rules, and training staff.
Arts and Culture
New ventures and channels already launched in the face of the pandemic to help promote and sustain the arts as a valuable part of our districts will continue to play an important role in recovery efforts.
FOR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Organization
Heightened awareness campaigns to enhance comfort levels, collaborative clean and safe regimens, and strong partnerships will be essential to recovery.
Design
Design-related recovery efforts might focus attention on district maintenance, customer-friendly parking, and comfortable pedestrian-focused spaces and features.
Economic Vitality
Activities to support businesses, to identify and promote opportunities, and to get in position to lead post-COVID-19 economic development efforts.
Promotion
Feel-good messaging and fun small-scale events and entertainment are part of the mix to welcome customers back, support businesses, and celebrate community.
VALUABLE RESOURCES AND UPDATES
The MI Safe Start Plan is Michigan’s guiding resource during the COVID-19 outbreak. Other resources are posted here to provide additional examples, but are not endorsed by the State of Michigan.
Visit michigan.gov/coronavirus to find valuable resources for employers, workers, residents and communities and stay informed on Michigan's latest efforts to mitigate the impact of the virus on our state's residents and economy.
Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/.
MAIN STREET: MICHIGAN'S GRASSROOTS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENGINE
We are empowering the people of Michigan to get involved in the health of their communities while preserving the charm and history of our state.
Michigan Main Street assists communities across the state interested in revitalizing and preserving their traditional commercial district. We provide technical assistance to help communities implement the Main Street Four-Point Approach®, a community-driven, comprehensive strategy encouraging economic development through historic preservation in ways appropriate for the modern marketplace.
The program aims to create communities distinguished by economically vital and vibrant commercial districts and downtowns, thereby developing attractive places that make the state economically stronger and culturally diverse.
As a statewide non-profit organization devoted to quality community planning, the Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) applauds The Michigan Main Street Program as a successful part of the collaborative efforts necessary to create great places for all. The foun- dational principles of the Michigan Main Street Program reinforce planning best practices and integrate them into their direct work with Main Street communities, impacting and elevating the quality of communities they serve. MAP is proud to advise the program, and to be considered a close partner in this important work.
Andrea Brown, AICP
Michigan Main Street Advisory Board Member
Executive Director, Michigan Planning Association
PROJECT PARTNERS
