Minutes 08/25/2026 - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 25, 2026  The City’s application to become a Mobilizing Main Street community was approved.  The Partnership Development Foundation, a 501(c)(3), has taken the lead in working with a committee of community leaders, including City staff members, to participate in the Main Street Program, with Olde Towne (and particularly High Street) as the initial focus area. Discussion:  The next step in the Virginia Main Street accreditation process is obtaining an “Advancing Main Street” designation. The Partnership Development Foundation anticipates that an application for that designation will be submitted in October.  The application requires that the City Council adopt a resolution of support for the Program.  With each designation of a higher tier under the Main Street Program, more grant funding becomes available. Financial Impact:  The purpose of the Main Street Program is community revitalization. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the resolution. Strategic Pillar #3: Economic Growth & Citywide Revitalization. Next Steps Following Council Action:  An application for the “Advancing Main Street” designation will be submitted. 1. Tony Goodwin, 38 Linden Avenue, spoke in support of this item. “RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AN ADVANCING MAIN STREET DESIGNATION FOR THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH AND THE CITY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE MAIN STREET PROGRAM. WHEREAS, the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, created the Main Street Program to create high quality places and to build stronger communities through preservation-based economic development; and WHEREAS , the Virginia Main Street Program was established by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to assist localities in developing public/private efforts to revitalize their downtown commercial areas; and WHEREAS, as a Main Street America Coordinating Program, the Virginia Main Street program nurtures successful local revitalization programs across the Commonwealth based upon the Main Street Approach by providing technical assistance, consulting services, training, and grant funding to Virginia communities; and WHEREAS , the City of Portsmouth has been designated as a Mobilizing Main Street community, which is Tier 2 of the Virginia Main Street Program; and WHEREAS, an application will be submitted for an “Advancing Main Street” designation, which is Tier 3 of the Virginia Main Street Program; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia that: 1. It hereby supports the City of Portsmouth’s participation in the Main Street Program and the application for an Advancing Main Street designation: and 2. The City will work with local businesses, interested citizens, and the Virginia Main Street Program to help ensure the success of the City of Portsmouth as a Main Street Community.”