Area aims for trendy status

SPRINGVILLE — Merchants in Springville — also known as Art City — want to be known for trendy shops, a walkable historic shopping district and friendly atmosphere based on the arts.

Officials and some firm owners say the Main Street district won't compete with two other commercial hubs — an industrial park and the developing 400 South corridor from I-15.

The city recently annexed that area and zoned it for mixed use commercial development.

The Downtown Business Alliance has named Daniel L. Bolz, president of Paradigm Marketing, as executive director of the Main Street Program. Paradigm Marketing is a management consulting firm.

The alliance and Bolz will work with Bim Oliver, coordinator of the Utah Main Street program. Oliver's presentation on what Main Street could become on Wednesday, Oct. 8 starting at 6 p.m. at Hippodrome Studio, 284 S. Main.

Bolz will also attend the second annual Main Street Conference that runs today and Friday in Richfield to gather ideas for Main's transformation.

Alliance goals include slowing traffic on Main. The planners envision a bermed median to increase parking and possibly a parking garage.

The group's vision of Main Street includes landscaping, benches, outdoor cafes, lighting to boost the historic atmosphere and music. It wants to establish an annual Main Street festival.

Marketing plans are to include an economic impact report, renderings of the group's vision of Main Street and on-going public relations. Three committees are also planned to handle design, promotion and business growth.