Butler Downtown cleanup part of greater revitalization efforts
Some Butler area residents are trying to make Main Street a place that people want to come and spend time in, and on Saturday morning, April 18, more than 50 people supported that goal.
This April’s downtown cleanup day, put on by nonprofit community organization Butler Downtown, was one of the largest they organization has had. More than 50 people, from high schoolers to elderly residents, took time out of their day to pick up trash, sweep dirty sidewalks and clean paths to help beautify the Main Street area.
Leaders of Butler Downtown said one of their bigger goals in the coming years is to get Butler to a point where it can achieve a Main Street America distinction, an achievement that would highlight the city’s resilience and tight-knit community.
The cleanup is one small yet important part of efforts to energize Main Street. Efforts by Butler Downtown also include economic redevelopment, promotion of community events and working with local businesses to ensure a healthy local economy.
“Everything we do with Butler Downtown is to try and make Butler, the downtown area, the Main Street district, more appealing,” said Tim Hawk, president of Butler Downtown. “Whether it be to businesses coming in, supporting the businesses that are here or making it a nice place to be for visitors and citizens alike.”
The cleanup days take place twice a year, one close to Earth Day in the spring, and one in September, Hawk said. Regardless of weather, people ranging from children to store owners spend time trying to help Main Street look its best.
With events and festivals throughout the spring, summer and fall, knowing there will be surges in foot traffic gives the organization another reason to spruce up the main business corridor.
“It’s really encouraging to see all these people care about the community, wanting to help clean it up,” said Ashley Wagner, who was volunteering Saturday with her two children. “It’s a good thing to do, it’s less garbage on our streets.”
Main Street America is a national organization that recognizes towns across the country and looks to help strengthen and re-energize their historic and commercial districts.
Hawk said a missing piece of the community that he wants to improve on is the unification of the local business community. He said Butler Downtown is trying to bolster a committee that forms relationships with people in the business community that will listen to their input on what will help them grow.
Leaders emphasized Butler Downtown is an all volunteer organization, and that there’s “something for everyone.” Events like the cleanup day, and efforts to keep Main Street clean, have make a huge difference, they said.
“It’s really invigorating to see such town pride. We’ve never had this many people, it’s a great day,” Jen Hundertmark, chairwoman of Butler Downtown’s design committee, said. “Just to have an attractive downtown, that people want to be and spend time, a don’t have to step around garbage. To put the best foot forward, and promote it to visitors.”
