FARMINGTON – The downtown’s future will be the subject of a community brainstorming session next week.
The program, “A Strong Downtown: Mapping the Future” will be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 19 in the North Dining Hall of the University of Maine at Farmington’s Olsen Student Center.
The program, sponsored by the Farmington Downtown Association, will offer an opportunity to learn more about the challenges and strengths of downtown Farmington, share information about surveys that will be conducted over the next six months, and to engage business and property owners, community leaders and residents in an open conversation about the present and future of the downtown area.
The Farmington Downtown Association, an organization of business owners and concerned residents, has contracted with Good Group Decisions of Brunswick, Maine, to conduct a series of surveys to assess customer preferences for retail businesses in the downtown area, parking availability, and other factors important to a successful business environment. Data from these assessments will be used to develop specific recommendations for a proactive agenda for the future.
“Contributions from local businesses have provided the funding to conduct these surveys,” said Michael Mansir, president of the Farmington Downtown Association. “This is a strong expression of local commitment to the future of our downtown.”
The public is encouraged to attend the program to listen, question, and comment on information presented by our own downtown professionals. Art Perry will moderate the evening. Featured speakers are Alison Hagerstrom, executive director of the Greater Franklin Development Corporation; Steve Kaiser, Farmington’s code enforcement officer; Bill Marceau, property owner, and Jan Maxham, downtown business owner.
