The Tryon Downtown Development Association (TDDA) recently sponsored a planning session for downtown projects. The day-long session was open to the public and was attended by approximately 20 people, including Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples.
This conference was meant to continue the work that was begun when the N.C. Main Street Program staff was here. TDDA follows the Main Street four-point approach for continued revitalization of Tryon’s downtown area.
TDDA board members led the discussion of the four Main Street points of action: design, promotion, organization and economic development. Participants made suggestions for priorities and projects that can be accomplished in the near future.
At the conclusion of the day, each of the four areas identified several priority projects to accomplish.
Design
Discussions in the design area, led by John Walters, established the following priorities:
• Study the location and acquisition of sidewalk and/or wall plaques to highlight historic buildings and structures on walking tour.
• Re-examine the flower basket proposal for downtown street poles.
• Conduct a design charette for the block defined by Maple, Palmer, Trade and East Howard.
• Begin work on the reconfiguration of the Trade/New Market intersection as per the Streetscape master plan.
Promotion
Wanda K. May led the discussions in the promotion area, which resulted in the following priorities:
• Promote TDDA more effectively, educate public on revitalization strategies, especially through our website, www.downtowntryon.org.
• Promote businesses with merchant-driven promotions coordinated by the business roundtable group led by Tryon Town Manager Justin Hembree
• Develop short-term brochures seasonally for dining and accommodations.
• Promote Tryon and its environs by maintaining liaison with Tryon Travel & Tourism Authority.
• Develop separate committees for each TDDA event (strolls, April Fool’s festival).
• Coordinate/participate with other organizations in producing major events.
Organization
Crys Armbrust led the group in discussions on organizational issues, which defined the following priorities:
• Focus on membership recruitment and retention.
• Reinstitute monthly TDDA Morning Coffee downtown.
• Emphasize board development and nominations committee work.
Economic development
Economic development discussions, led by Karen Jones, defined the following priorities:
• Prepare final report on Rural Center Grant.
• Develop a business recruitment packet.
• Update the inventory of downtown properties.
• Develop target business cluster list for recruiting new businesses.