MainStreet Libertyville, Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to the economic development and historic preservation of Libertyville's historic downtown. We are affiliates of the Illinois Main Street and National Main Street programs.

Over the past 16 years our membership and volunteer base has grown to include hundreds of people a lot like you. As a volunteer for MainStreet, you can join your neighbors in helping to regain the vitality of our historic downtown.

It's amazing what we can do together! Building facades are being returned to their original glory, thousands enjoy our events, and new stores are coming to the district--all through the dedication of everyday people!

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the MainStreet Libertyville program is to enhance our community identity and heritage, to foster a center of activity and to ensure economic stability in the heart of Libertyville through concentrated efforts of education, design, promotion, organization and economic revitalization.

HOW DO WE DO IT?

Established in 1989, MainStreet Libertyville Inc. is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that works in cooperation with the Village of Libertyville to revitalize the Heritage Area.

An affiliate of the Illinois Main Street Program and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center, MainStreet Libertyville is modeled after a program established in the 1970's by the Trust designed specifically to tackle the challenges that historic town centers like ours face in today's marketplace.

The program is organized around the following four committees:

1. Economic Restructuring: Strengthens the existing assets of the district while diversifying its economic base. Activities include the MainStreet Area Loan Pool Program (MALPP), business recruitment and a property listing service.
2. Promotion: Reestablishes the downtown as a community center and promotes retail activity. Events like the Farmer's Market, Out To Lunch in Libertyville, and Dickens of a Holiday, as well as retail promotions, keep this group busy and fun!
3. Design: Enhances the visual quality of the downtown. Whether assisting in the renovation of a building or helping a business choose an appropriate sign, the Design Committee if our eye for detail!
4. Organization: Handles the critical tasks of fund raising and volunteer development; also producing out bi-monthly journal of what’s new, The Gazette. Organization is our heart and soul!

WHAT MAKES "MAINSTREET" UNIQUE?

MainStreet Libertyville, Inc. follows the successful FOUR-POINT APPROACH developed by the National Main Street Center, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

1 ORGANIZATION: Build a downtown  management organization driven by volunteers and guided by professional staff.

2 DESIGN: Enhance the appearance of downtown through historic preservation.

3 PROMOTION: Promote a unified quality image that will bring people downtown.

4 ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING: Retain and strengthen existing downtown businesses and recruit appropriate new businesses.

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EIGHT GUIDING PRINCIPLES set the FOUR-POINT APPROACH apart from other redevelopment strategies.

1. COMPREHENSIVE: Downtown revitalization is a complex process and cannot be accomplished through a single project. For successful long-term revitalization, a comprehensive approach must be utilized.
2. INCREMENTAL: Small projects and simple activities lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the revitalization process and help to develop skills so that more complex problems can be address and more ambitious projects undertaken.
3. SELF-HELP: Local leaders must have the desire and skill to make the project successful. Outside consultants can help, but continued long-term success depends upon the involvement and commitment of the community.
4. PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP: Both sectors have a vital interest in downtown. Each sector has a role, and must understand the other's strengths and limitations.
5. ASSET ENHANCEMENT: Business districts must capitalize on the assets that make them unique. Every district has unique qualities—like the distinctive buildings and human scale that give people a sense of belonging.
6. QUALITY: Quality must be emphasized in every aspect of the revitalization program, from marketing materials and promotional events to public improvements and window displays.
7. CHANGE: To improve current economic conditions, revitalization program leaders must work to change public attitudes about the commercial district. Main Street requires a "paradigm shift" in downtown's use, purpose and future.
8. IMPLEMENTATION-ORIENTED: Most communities have enough plans collecting dust on shelves to last them through the next century. A Main Street program must create visible change and activity from Day One.

We do it all with volunteers. . . join us!