Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 27, 1993 TAG: 9305270217
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
"Pulaski is a primary example of how local folks can work together," said Neal Barber, director of the state Department of Housing and Community Development. "The state can provide a little help, but the main emphasis has to be community leadership."
"A lot of positive things have happened in Pulaski," said Bill Shelton, head of the state's Center of Rural Development. "There are a lot of things they've done here that have paid off."
The delegation from Richmond visited Pulaski, as well as Radford, Galax and Ivanhoe, four of the 18 communities taking part in the state's Main Street Program.
In the program, the state provides design, organizational and promotional assistance, but little money for improving downtowns. The money that has been infused in Pulaski has come from a federal Urban Development Action Grant, from local banks and from business owners.
Teresa Lynch, director of the state's Main Street Program, said the program has netted 1,400 new jobs, 740 new downtown businesses and $40 million in private investment in the 18 communities.
"That means the tax bases are much improved in the communities, and that means a whole lot more people are working and spending money downtown," she said.
On Wednesday Pulaski officials were ready to show off their downtown area, an area that has seen much improvement in recent months and years.
Under a cloudy sky that cleared up in time for the leisurely early-afternoon tour, the visitors saw the changes taking place in Pulaski.
Painters were at work on at least two store fronts, and Roscoe Cox, director of the town's Main Street program and its most visible cheerleader, narrated as they walked.
"If you would take anything back to Richmond," Cox told the visitors, "remember that Southwest Virginia has to look to tourism in the future as a viable industry."
With nearby natural resources such as Claytor Lake and mountain scenery, and with Interstate 81 just outside of town, officials know their town has the potential to be a tourist attraction.
In an effort to realize that goal, the town has encouraged art galleries and antique shops to move into the area, and many have done just that.
But not long ago the downtown's future didn't look so rosy. The historic courthouse burned down in 1989, and businesses, such as Wal-Mart, opened on the town's outskirts.
"We had grown men out here bawling like a baby when that courthouse clock fell," said Alma Holston, a Town Council member who helped organize Wednesday's tour. But the courthouse has been rebuilt, and the town, divided against itself when the Wal-Mart opened, sees more eye to eye now, she said.
"Our spirit is coming back," she said.
"We shouldn't be afraid of malls," Cox said. "They have their place. But downtown has its place, too."
Shelton said he was impressed with the integrated and comprehensive approach that officials have used to put new life in their community. While much work has taken place on the facades of many buildings, he pointed out, the town also has improved utilities and emphasized economic development and housing in the downtown area.
"They've thought about what they needed. They made a case for it," he said.
Shelton said he and the other visitors were in town to see what is going on in economic development outside of the corridors and meeting rooms of Richmond.
"It's important to see the tangible results of what occurs in Richmond," he said. Toward that end, state economic development officials take two or three trips a year throughout the state, he said
"This trip will allow us to go back to Richmond and say the money is well spent," said Scott Bates, secretary of the commonwealth. "That's what economic development is all about."
One of the things that Steve Harms, a senate Finance Committee staffer, noticed was the number of retailers in the downtown area.
"I think it's important to recognize that having a strong economy is based upon retail trade. Economic recovery needs diversity," Harms said.
"We're really proud of Pulaski," said Mayor Gary Hancock. "It has a long, rich heritage, and we're trying to preserve that heritage by trying to preserve the downtown. We have to change the focus of our downtown. We're trying to find our niche and create our niche, and it's going to be art and antiques."
by CNB