The Annapolis Main Street Challenge

It was an entusiastic crowd for 8:00 a.m. in the morning. I’m talking about the group that assembled in Annapolis at Ram’s Head on inner West Steet, for the “Re-launch” of the Main Street program. This time, three years after the initial inclusion of Annapolis as a Main Street City, the plan is to shrink the size of the Main Street Partnership board of directors from the previous total of 25 members, to a smaller more manageable number. But at the same time, they are hoping to get more volunteers to sit on the five designated committees to forge ahead with implementation of marketing and design strategies to attract more business to downtown Annapolis. They’d also like to make the district, which runs from City Dock to the Westgate Circle, larger.
One of the problems is money. Educating the public as to the benefits of walking downtown to do your shopping versus getting into a car, sitting in traffic, and then parking that car at The Mall or newly constructed “town centre” outside the city, so you can walk around there to shop necessitates some significant funding. It’s a constant marketing game. and peoples’ shopping habits are easily swayed by the advice of their friends and what they listen to and read about. So if you are reading this blog, I am here to tell you that shopping downtown (unless it is stiflingly hot as it is today) is a great experience. But if you aren’t lucky enough to live in walking distance, yes the city needs to make parking and transportation options once you do park more convenient. We need bike lanes in the city, places to park bicycles and more small trams to transport those unable to walk. A better transportation system, in my opinion, is key to success. But once again, that does take funding. Click here to read more. If you live in the CIty or work in the City of Annapolis, let your opinion be known by contacting your elected officials.