STRICTLY BUSINESS: PEOPLE WORK, GROW TOGETHER IN PADUCAH

At one time in Paducah's downtown history, the first-floor occupancy rate of buildings in the downtown area barely topped the 30 percent mark.

It was in the early 1980s, and drastic retail changes were taking place. Giant shopping malls were attracting stores and customers from downtown areas to sprawling areas near interstate highways, or urban areas.

University Mall at Carbondale had opened in the mid-1970s. Kentucky Oaks Mall at Paducah and West Park Mall at Cape Girardeau opened in the early 1980s.

Downtown areas suffered.

Paducah, which included several large downtown buildings "bottomed out."

It's been a long road back, said Marilyn Cassity recently. "A lot of people have worked hard in the revitalization of the city, and we're now seeing a revival of activity here."

Cassity, director of the Paducah Main Street Program for eight years, points to a number of activities and small businesses that are attracting people back to the downtown area.

Main Street is also working at Carbondale. The Main Street Economic Restructuring Committee, a part of the Main Street program, "tracks" empty structures along that Southern Illinois city's Main Street in the downtown area.

The latest count reveals that of 182 buildings in the city's Main Street boundaries, only a dozen are vacant. The inventory survey tracks such information as square footage, number of stories, heating and cooling systems, and potential of subdividing the space available -- information potential developers and renters want.

Murphysboro is the latest Southern Illinois community taking steps to "beef up" its Main Street. The city of 10,000 on Route 13 west of Carbondale, was recently named a "Main Street" participant.

A move is under foot for the Main Street revitalization plan in Cape Girardeau. This is one of the goals of the Cape Girardeau Community Pride Coalition, made up of representatives from a number of organizations, city and university officials.

Main Street programs are designed to revitalize downtown districts, via cooperation with property owners and retailers.

A Cape Girardeau group, including representatives of the city, university and downtown merchants recently visited Columbus, Ind., to witness "Main Street at Work."

Main Street Paducah is in its 10th year, and Cassity has been its director eight years.

"We're the number one agency for downtown Paducah," said Cassity. "We work with the city, merchants and other organizations."

Cassity, who keeps records on downtown vacancies, said last week that the ground-level vacancies are now less than 6 percent.

"Our first-floor occupancy rate is just over 95 percent," said Cassity.

Antiques operations is a "core" for downtown shopping.

"We have 23 antique operations in the downtown area, including one-operator stores and antique malls," said Cassity. "Restaurants and specialty shops provide a variety of shopping."

Second-level activity is increasing in the district. "We now have more than 20 second-floor apartments in the downtown area, with rents ranging from $400 to $1,200 a month," Cassity said.

Cassity is excited about a couple of recent happenings -- plans for a performing arts facility in the downtown area and the acquisition of the old downtown JCPenney building by the city. The city hopes to attract a developer for the 16,000-square-foot Penney building.

The city along the Ohio River is already noted for its Carroll Quilt Museum in the downtown area. A four-day, American Quilter's Society Quilt Show and Contest is held annually, attracting more than 35,000 people from all over the world.

"The downtown `After Dinner' program is also a great one for the city," said Cassity.

This program is designed to encourage people to rediscover their downtown area. Every year, from May through mid-October, more than 50 businesses, including restaurants, clothing stores, antique and gift shops, art galleries, candy and coffeeshops, jewelry stores, bakeries, pubs, and others are open with extended evening hours Fridays and Saturdays.

Some businesses close at 4 or 5 p.m., but, reopen at 7 and remain open until about 10.

A variety of music, including jazz, gospel, blues, classical, folk and country is performed at various sites throughout the downtown area.

People are working together in Main Street programs everywhere. Annual budgets for the programs range from a low of $30,000 to $100,000 and more. One proposal for the Cape Girardeau program, including a program coordinator, is about $80,000 for the first year.

At a glance:

Missouri -- Eleven cities have joined the Main Street Missouri program, and two more will be added in July. Since being adopted in Missouri in 1989, Main Street officials attribute 600 new businesses, 1,800 new jobs, 600 building renovations and more than $61 million in reinvestment to the program's presence.

Illinois -- The Illinois Main Street Program, original for communities under 50,000, has been expanded to include the Chicago area and some other large cities. There are 48 active Illinois Main Street communities, with another.

Illinois Main Street is holding a two-day workshop for its members next month, at Peoria. The workshop, "Advanced Fundraising for Main Street: Tailor-Made Solutions for Your Maturing Program Needs."

The workshop faculty will include Kennedy Lawson Smith, director of the National Trust Main Street Center, and one of the nation's leading experts on downtown revitalization and economic dynamics of historic commercial districts.

Kentucky -- Kentucky has between 40 and 50 communities in its Main Street program. A member of the state group was in Paducah last week meeting Main Street Paducah officials.

B. Ray Owen is business editor for the Southeast Missourian.