The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Main Street group meets
Community supporters turn out for first gathering
Main Street Lorain exists for communication, promotion and love of the city, said the organizers of the new group dedicated to downtown.
At least 30 people turned out March 3 for the inaugural community meeting for Main Street Lorain at the Lorain Learning Center of Lorain County Community College.
The organization is six months old and already is tweaking the schedule of events planned this year for downtown, said organization President Kurt Hernon, who led the meeting with Vice President Chris Cocco and Secretary Jimmy Penttila.
Main Street Lorain will work with the Ohio and national Main Street organizations to become the best organization it can, Hernon said. People have asked about the benefits of joining. “The benefit right now is community, that’s what this is all about,” Hernon said. “We’re not just economic development, we’re about the downtown, we’re about the people, we’re about the kids, the seniors, this is all about community.”
Hernon said he and Cocco have discussed the point of the group.
“It’s sort of an existential thing at this point, is how do we make people fall back in love with their downtown and therefore their whole community?” Hernon said.
It may be nearly an impossible goal to fully accomplish, he said.
“But that’s what we’re setting out to do, is make people fall back in love with this city,” Hernon said.
Penttila said he is “here to help move some dirt,” helping wherever the community needs to improve and grow.
Having seen the growth of Main Street Amherst, Cocco said he believes in the Main Street approach as a way to show people downtown can become the living room of the community.
“I think the organization is really set up in a manner that really allows people to work in different areas that really can shape your downtown and help revitalize,” he said.
“I think this is a great moment for our city to have an organization that allows people to work together in a coordinated fashion toward goals that produce positive outcomes and really forms a connection, an emotional connection, with your downtown.”
The meetings are an opportunity for downtown supporters to have face time with each other, Hernon said.
Participants can announce who they are, what they do and dispel any misinformation that circulates online, he said.
Those attending took turns around the table introducing themselves and talking about their business, community and personal projects.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 2 at the Lorain County Community College Learning Center, 201 W. Erie Ave.
The LCCC Learning Center is inside the City Center, which also uses the address 300 Broadway.
Meetings are open to anyone interested in learning more about Main Street Lorain and the downtown revitalization efforts.