OCEANSIDE – MainStreet Oceanside, a nonprofit downtown revitalization organization, is going to be looking for a new executive director and veering in a slightly different direction.
Kim Heim, executive director for the past five years, will stay in that job until his successor is hired. He'll remain on contract to promote special events, which has been his area of expertise.
Under Heim's direction, the organization has sponsored a dozen events and services, most prominently the Sunset Market that began last year, a Thursday evening crafts-entertainment-and-produce event. A weekly farmers market also is held.
Heim said yesterday that MainStreet oversees more than 100 markets a year, counting both the daytime and evening events.
But now there are a lot more business seminars upcoming because merchants want help with merchandising and display efforts, for instance, to try to weather a down economy.
City officials also are hoping for support from MainStreet in establishing a business-improvement district funded by merchants and landowners downtown.
Meanwhile, MainStreet will cut back on some of its special events, envisioning an end perhaps to its involvement in the Arts Alive banner program, one of two annual antiques fairs and a “Saturday for Giving” program.
It will continue the markets, Freedom Days Parade, Dia de los Muertos celebration and management of beach vending services.
Yesterday, the city Redevelopment Advisory Committee unanimously recommended approval of a two-year contract providing MainStreet with $350,000 in public funds. The final decision will be made by the City Council.
The contract calls for a $190,000 expenditure in fiscal 2008-09 and $160,000 in 2009-10. City funding pays about half the expenses, while memberships, donations and money derived from activities cover the rest.
The organization received an additional $55,873 to set up the Sunset Market last year and an additional $50,000 this year to provide entertainment and activities at the beachfront Fourth of July celebration.
In 2005-06, the city contribution was $50,000. It escalated to $100,000 in the ensuing two years and was to decrease eventually to the point at which MainStreet would be self-sustaining.
But Jane McVey, city economic and community redevelopment director, said yesterday that it's unrealistic for any main-street program to pay for itself.
From the audience, beach vendor Lisa Alexander said MainStreet Oceanside isn't adhering to the principles set by the federal Main Street Four-Point Approach program, administered by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The national program is aimed at helping revitalize historic downtowns, offering local main-street affiliates with guidance in organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring, according to its Web site.
“What I see is a lot of special events,” Alexander said.
Heim said later that the agreement before the council involved only programs using public money, not those otherwise funded.
Lola Sherman: (760) 476-8241; lola.sherman@uniontrib.com
