HDR works to help reawaken downtown. Signs indicate that it has begun and a revitalized city center is closer at hand than before. But it will not be easy, and we will need your help....

About

About HDR

In early 2002, the Harrisonburg community came together to discuss the possibility of creating a pedestrian mall downtown. The trend for cities nationwide had been to close their downtowns to automobiles, creating a walker-friendly area. But was a pedestrian mall the right choice for Harrisonburg?

Public meetings were held to discuss the merits and drawbacks of a pedestrian mall. Ultimately, the community decided to keep its Main Street open to traffic. From these discussions, however, a strong voice emerged from the community in resounding support of downtown revitalization. On July 1, 2003, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance was born.

The National Trust Main Street Center has developed a method for revitalizing downtown districts across the country. There are more than 1,200 active Main Street programs today, including regional success stories like Lexington, Manassas, and Staunton. In August, 2004, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance became a designated Virginia Main Street, and we are following the Main Street approach to revitalization closely. This means concentrating on four separate but equal points: Economic Development, Design, Promotion and Organization.

Mission & Objectives

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance will work in partnership with city government and the community to develop a comprehensive vision and master plan to revitalize downtown Harrisonburg into a prosperous and vibrant city center.

HDR's objectives come from the Main Street Four Points approach:

Economic Development: Strengthen the downtown district’s existing economic base, seek ways to introduce new types of commerce suitable for a downtown venue, and convert underutilized space into productive uses.
Design: Promote the enhanced physical appearance of the district by capitalizing on its assets, rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, and beautifying the street scape.
Promotion: Market the downtown district’s unique qualities to potential customers, investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors through effective strategies and special events.
Organization: Build cooperation and consensus between all stakeholders in an effort to meet our mission and objectives, to strengthen our Main Street program, and to improve the quality of life for the people who live, work and visit in downtown Harrisonburg.

Downtown Designations

Board of Directors

Andy Perrine, President
Lisa Anne Hawkins, Vice President
Amanda Monger, Secretary
Dennis Snyder, Treasurer
Glenda Rooney, Organization Committee Chair
Tom Clayton, Design Committee Chair
Brian Shull, Economic Development Committee Chair
Jamie Shaver Marsh, Promotion Committee Chair
Charlie Chenault
Cheryl Elliott
David Denman
Andrew Forward
Gary Stiteler
Sean Pugh
Melanie Woodard

Advisory Board

Jim Berg
Tom Brubaker
Dr. Ronald Carrier
Henry C. Clark
Ron Davenport
Kai Degner
Terri Lynn Denton
Rodney Eagle
Chaz Evans-Haywood
Joe Funkhouser
Kevin Humphries
Barry Kelley
Hugo Kohl
Jenny Kuszyk
Charles Martorana
James McHone
David Miller
Craig Moore
Dr. Linwood Rose
Chris Runion
John Sease
Randall A. See
Martha Shifflett
Belle Stemper
Eugene Stoltzfus
Judith Strickler
Dr. Loren Swartzendruber
Shawn Thompson
Kathy Whitten
Mike York

Staff

Eddie Bumbaugh, Executive Director - email Eddie
Jessica Chase, Program Manager - email Jessica
Alexis Morehouse, Promotions Manager - email Alexis
Kris Ludwig, Special Events Manager - email Kris
Andy Gibson, Student Intern
Kelsey Perky, Student Intern