Historic Preservation Expert to Review Torrington Downtown Property

The newly formed Torrington Main Street Partnership has invited Betsy Bradley, a preservation tax incentives program coordinator for Wyoming’s Historic Preservation Office, to review opportunities available for renovation of properties in downtown Torrington, Wyo.

Merchants, government officials, service providers, building owners and other community members interested in learning about downtown business revitalization and tax credits available for property renovation are welcome to attend the presentation in the Platte Valley Bank Community Room. The group will take a walking tour at 10 a.m. to look at properties in the downtown area. Afterward Bradley will be available for individual consultations.

Last December the Wyoming Main Street program accepted Torrington, Wyo., as an Aspiring, or first tier, community. Once accepted a steering committee formed the Torrington Main Street Partnership (TMSP). Board members are Roger Huckfeldt, Serendipity Western American Gift Gallery; Debbie Hunter, Heartland Embroidery; Mel Kjormoe, Mel’s Country Card and Party; Vickie Zimmer, Prairie Creek Books; Marsha Middleswarth, The Starch Barn; and Sam Wagner, Edward Jones Investments.

Ex-officio members of the board include Torrington Mayor Leroy Schafer, Rhonda Schulte, Executive Director of the Goshen County Chamber of Commerce, and Lisa Johnson, Executive Director of the Goshen County Economic Development Corp.

The Wyoming Main Street program helps communities capitalize on their unique downtown area by using historic preservation to generate economic and entrepreneurial growth. The Main Street approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership and a sense of community.

The Main Street Four-Point Approach™ encompasses work in four distinct areas -- Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotion, and Organization — that are combined to address all of the commercial district's needs. Anyone interested in serving on a committee may to call Huckfeldt, TMSP president, at (307) 532-5947.

Date and Time: July 14, 2009 at 8 a.m.

The group will take a walking tour at 10 a.m. to look at properties in the downtown area. Afterward Bradley will be available for individual consultations.

Venue:
Platte Valley Bank Community Room,
2201 Main St.,
Torrington, WY.