What is Main Street Highland Park?
Main Street Highland Park (“MSHP”) is a volunteer-based non-profit community development organization supported by a small staff dedicated to the promotion of downtown Highland Park, NJ, as a place to live, work and do business. MSHP manages the downtown Business District for the benefit of the merchants, business owners and residents of Highland Park. As a dedicated advocate for the downtown, Main Street leverages its budget resources and relationships on behalf of its constituent members to bring about change that would not otherwise be possible.
What are other Main Street towns doing?
In South Orange, for example, a Main Street design project has led to creation of a downtown park and "universal access" sidewalks.
The economics committee of Stand Up for Salem has concentrated on brokering new uses for historic buildings.
A Main Street promotional project could be a regional event like the Hackettstown Chocolate Festival, or a retail promotion like "Welcome Home to Westfield."
See "Projects" above for details on what projects and events Main Street Highland Park has developed to showcase the unique facets of our downtown community; Main Street has coordinated them for greatest impact as part of an overall comprehensive, coordinated, and cooperative effort. Our partnership with the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce and our own events, like Random Acts of Fun, and the Arts Festival have all become defining, signature events.
Why those four areas?
The four-point approach is effective because it restores value to the downtown: physical, social, economic, and political value. To a resident, this means better quality of life; to a property owner or business, increased income.
What is the "Four Point" approach?
The four-point approach means strengthening downtown by improving its:
Design - the physical appearance and function of the district;
Promotions - the image, events, and outreach that draw in people;
Economics - the businesses, customers, property, and jobs;
Organization - the structure and resources that turn our ideas into Action!
To be successful, a community must coordinate its efforts in all four areas.
How is this any different from previous downtown efforts?
Main Street is a more structured program with a proven track record. It is backed with 30 years of real-world research and experience. Donors and investors recognize DCA's vote of confidence in our downtown. It also aids us in working with the state to make safety, lighting, and appearance changes along Route 27.
Is Main Street Highland Park part of the Borough of Highland Park?
No. Main Street Highland Park is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that works to preserve, protect and enhance the downtown area, its historic and natural assets while raising the equity value of properties and businesses.
How can I help out?
You can help by sending us an email, giving us a call, or simply attending the great events happening throughout the year.
Business Improvement District
How is the BID funded?
The BID programs and services are underwritten by a special assessment collected from property owners in the defined boundaries of the district. The assessment is levied on the property owners. The assessment is billed and collected by the Borough of Highland Park and then disbursed to Main Street Highland Park, which in turn delivers the district’s services.
What are the boundaries of the district?
The Downtown Highland Park Business Improvement District extends along Raritan Avenue from South Adelaide to 9th on Raritan, and to 11th on Woodbridge. There are 135 commercial properties and approximately 350 businesses within the district.
What is a BID?
A Business Improvement District (“BID”) is a public/private partnership in which property and business owners elect to make a collective contribution to the maintenance, development and promotion of their commercial district.
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