Annual City Appropriation...A Sound Investment

At the peak of downtown’s decline, Swiss Bear was established in 1979 and has been funded in part by the city which was a requirement of becoming a Main Street City in 1980.

Over the past three decades Swiss Bear’s projects/accomplishments have been tangible and measurable. Programs and projects include creation of loan pools, fundraising campaigns, acquiring grants and donations for public projects to assist the City in the revitalization of the downtown and Five Points area …Texaco property, Union Point Park, Council Bluff Green, Bear Plaza, James Reed Lane, New/Hancock Street parking lot, Belk Building; initiated development of two urban design plans, the foundation for 12 blocks of major downtown streetscape improvements, East Front Street improvements, Broad street improvements, and replacement of the Alfred Cunningham Bridge; created numerous events to bring people downtown including MUMFEST, now a  major annual city sponsored event that attracts 85,000 visitors with an economic impact of over $3.5M. 

Since 1980, we have raised over $8M either thru grants or playing a key role in lobbying for funds for City projects…this figure does not include our involvement in the effort to get the new $120M Neuse River Bridge built in the mid-1990’s, our involvement in working with Judge Louis Flanagan in acquiring the federal appropriations ($12M) to rehabilitate the Federal Building on Middle Street, the 1.5 mi. Broad Street improvements and Alfred Cunningham Bridge replacement. 

The focus of our work…our only purpose/focus is to enlist private sector support to work in partnership with the city in developing projects, strategies and funding sources for projects that promote the economic vitality and sustainability of the greater downtown area.

Current major projects/program of work is to explore funding and work with the City to implement the Wayfinding sign system developed in 2009…it is a unique system that guides visitors into the city, to parking and main attractions; to find funding to re-assemble the Ship Hauling Machine, a historic artifact as a tangible reminder of New Bern’s past as a port city and boat building center; continue to serve on the area wide planning project and work with the city to carry out the recommendations from Goody Clancy for the revitalization of the greater Five Points area and produce MUMFEST in partnership with the city.

We submitted a request for an appropriation of $50,000. We do not receive federal or state funding for Swiss Bear’s annual budget. Funding from local government varies from year to year. We have been funded annually with an appropriation from the County since 1980 with the exception of last year. The City’s appropriated $46,750 in 2011-2012. Swiss Bear raises approximately $115,000 of its operating budget annually through donations and proceeds from MUMFEST, a weather-dependent event, so proceeds are unpredictable.

We raise additional funds for our program of work projects through grants, fundraising campaigns and donations dedicated to that specific project….the F-11 and Sculpture project, the most recent examples.

The City’s appropriation to Swiss Bear is a sound investment. For every dollar contributed to Swiss Bear, the return to the City from contributions for special projects, public improvements, job creation, tourism, occupancy taxes, sales and property tax is tenfold.

Tell us what you think.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director



James Reed Lane - Today



Old Pool Hall - Before James Reed Lane



Bear Plaza - Before

  


Bear Plaza - Today

 
  

Union Point Park - Today





Texaco Property - Before Union Point Park

 

 



O'Marks Building - Today



 

Belk Bldg Before - Now O'Marks







Broad Street Improvements - 2012

Mumfest 2012



Meeting Accreditation Standards

We were just notified, Swiss Bear Downtown Development Corporation has received accreditation again, as a National Main Street Program, for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center®.

The NC Main Street Center, under the Department of Commerce, evaluated our organization’s performance in 2011 and determined we met the criteria and all ten performance standards. These standards of performance help keep the Main Street Program strong and focused state-wide and nationally.

The ten standards of performance Swiss Bear met for accreditation are:

·  Having a broad-based community support for the commercial

    district revitalization process, with strong support from both the

    public and private sectors.

·  Developed  vision and mission statements relevant to community

    conditions and to the local Main Street ® program’s

    organizational stage.

·  Have a comprehensive Main Street ® work plan.

·  Possess and exhibit a historic preservation ethic.

·  Have an active board of directors and committees.

·  Have an adequate operating budget.

·  Have a paid professional program manager.

·  Conduct a program of ongoing training for staff and volunteers.

·  Report key statistics.

·  A current member of the National Main Street Network®

    membership program. Information about the National Trust Main Street Center

Established in 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center® helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts. Working in more than 2,200 downtown's and urban neighborhoods over the last 30 years, the Main Street program has leveraged more than $53.6 billion in new public and private investment.  Participating communities have created 448,835 net new jobs and 104,961 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 229,164 buildings, leveraging an average of $18 in new investment for every dollar spent on their Main Street district revitalization efforts.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

New Bern's Downtown Revitalization Effort: understanding the challenges

Since the state joined the Main Street Program in 1980 (developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation) there have been many efforts by small  towns throughout North Carolina  to preserve their downtown's by pursuing economic revitalization initiatives.  These efforts have been aided by non-profit organizations who focus on downtown revitalization. Non-profit downtown redevelopment corporations, like Swiss Bear, have advantages that make them particularly appropriate by bringing in the private sector to partner with local government to serve as a catalyst in revitalization/preservation efforts.

New Bern’s downtown effort can best be appreciated by understanding the initial challenges and opportunities the community faced and had to address. 

·  What initiatives could be used to encourage businessmen, investors and developers to accept the risk and invest in an area that had experienced deterioration and decline? 

·  How could tenants and new shop owners be recruited? 

·  What incentives and strategies could be used to encourage the restoration and preservation of existing historically significant buildings?

·  How could the quality development of a 12 acre tract of waterfront property be achieved? 

·  How could community leaders, local officials and interested citizens achieve a synthesis that would promote the economic redevelopment of downtown New Bern while preserving its heritage?

The challenges were met and three decades later, New Bern’s downtown revitalization effort is a Main Street success story. This is due to many factors including involvement of local government officials, community leaders, investors willing to take the risk, an aggressive tourism program, development of a long-range revitalization plan and the dedication and commitment of the Swiss Bear organization.  These and other concentrated efforts focused on preservation and the economic development, helped create an environment that promotes tourism, attracts retirees, and other new residents and has intensified the sense of pride and community spirit in New Bern.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director   



Urban Renewal Tract

  

Broad Street

     

Middle Street





Welcome to Swiss Bear's New Blog!

We are looking forward to keeping you posted on Swiss Bear's latest activities and downtown happenings.

Stay tuned for details and plans for the best and biggest MUMFEST ever, October 13 - 14, 2012, on downtown New Bern's streets and waterfront!


Regards from the Swiss Bear Staff,
Susan Moffat-Thomas, Executive Director
Danielle Glynn, Administrative Assistant