Bancroft’s Mayor says more changes are in store for the downtown, even after the Main Street Makeover Project finishes
Most work on the roughly $4-million project is complete, save for some landscaping and paving work planned for spring.
Paul Jenkins says the Town will continue to explore ways to support business growth and make the downtown more pedestrian friendly.
He says work will focus on getting better use of the land behind the IDA building, of which some is owned by the Town.
“The Town has plans for a pedestrian walkway, going all the way back there to give people easy access to the waterfront,” he says. “Hopefully in the next couple years that will get materialized and that will hopefully be a big addition for the downtown core.”
Jenkins says he’s pleased to see new businesses arrive downtown, such as Pizza Hut, Pita Pit and the pending arrival of Starbucks.
He also says Bancroft will work with Hastings County’s Economic Development Department to make sure vacant retail spaces, such as the former McCaskie location, are promoted, so new businesses can open.