By Audrey Stratton | Local Happenings
Known for their major contributions to the revitalization of our downtown area, Main Street Portsmouth has been a great addition to our city. They are a 501©3 non-profit founded in 2007.
Their goal is to improve the downtown area with projects such as beautification, historic preservation, event management, and programming. It is a local chapter of a national organization, and is under the guidance of its state partner, Heritage Ohio.
Main Street Portsmouth is run by Executive Director, Joseph Pratt, who is under direction of a board of directors. The directors run the organization through four key committees: Beautification, Economic Vitality, Promotions, and Organization.
Along with the directors, each committee has many volunteers who dedicate themselves to more than 55 events every single year.
Main Street hosts many events throughout the year such as the Chocolate Walk, Farmers Market, Farm to Table, Wine and Dine, Small Business Saturday, and many more! They also manage the Esplanade, city parking lots, and Alexandria Park.
Main Street Portsmouth partners with the City of Portsmouth in a $25,000 (a year) preservation grant program. The organization expanded a lot this past year, with fundraising $40,000 for the Tracy Park Christmas light display, as well as the new pole lights that run Chillicothe Street and the Esplanade.
They are about to open a new public garden courtyard this fall, after 2 ½ years of preparation work. This space will be located at 535 Second Street and is the standing exterior of a former building in the Boneyfiddle area.
Inside this space, there will be beautiful iron gates, windows, stamped concrete, flower beds, seating, a water feature, and more!
With their many versatile projects and events throughout the year, this has not slowed them down! They have many new developments and events in the works and do not plan on slowing down anytime soon!
For more information, follow them on Facebook or online at www.mspohio.org. You can reach their director, Joseph Pratt, at director@mspohio.orf or at (740) 464-4501