Main Street Tehachapi celebrates 20 years
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Main Street Tehachapi
The Main Street Farmers Market, sponsored by Adventist Health is one of Tehachapi's Favorite events, running from June until July.
Most Tehachapi residents know Main Street Tehachapi from the many fun and entertaining events that bring residents and out of towners to the historic downtown area, such as the upcoming Wine and Chocolate Walk, the Ugly Sweater Wine Walk in November, the newest wine walk, Sip Sip Hurray, coming up in June and the Summer Farmers Market.
Recently MST has provided $20,000 in grants to Downtown businesses for façade improvements and repainting. Last year $5,000 was donated to assist the City with the purchase of Christmas decorations to enhance the street lights. Funding was also provided to the Errea House Museum for the relocation of the garden. Past projects have included the building of Railroad Park, the Murals project and a $5,000 donation to the Depot renovation project. Fundraising for Downtown improvements is an important part of Main Street's mission.
Started 20 years ago, the Main Street program follows guidelines from the National Trust for Historic Preservation with a four-point program to rehabilitate, preserve and enhance business districts. Help is given to business owners with advertising, store design, business outreach and other topics. The Murals program, a project started in the initial year of MST, was a tremendous boost to Downtown and a favorite of residents.
MST is currently an all-volunteer organization, although in the early years there were employees funded through the Tehachapi Redevelopment Agency. A hard-working Board of Directors keeps the organization alive with their love of Tehachapi and desire to keep the Downtown area a fun, thriving business district which is the heart of Tehachapi. Without employees, many of the events and programs of MST had to be eliminated. The MST Board is always looking to add new members with fresh ideas and a willingness to help with events and projects.
Through the years, many individuals have given countless hours volunteering and local businesses have been major sponsors of MST events, providing entertainment and community events that enhance life in Tehachapi. The current Board would like to thank all those who have helped in the past to create our unique Downtown.
Going back 20 years, the work of the Design Committee has made a fundamental impact on downtown. The renovation of Railroad Park from a dusty, cluttered area with no sidewalks was achieved under the committee chairperson at that time, Marcia Smith. Design, funding and construction was largely achieved through grants, fundraising and hands-on volunteers. Likewise, selection of the decorative downtown street lighting, initial design of Centennial Plaza and other projects such as redesign and color selection for downtown buildings and often times even the painting of buildings by volunteers was undertaken.
Much of the vibrancy of downtown is due to Main Street's efforts by partnering with Downtown businesses and the City of Tehachapi. Through the years, the City has supported MST's efforts by helping in planning, and providing event assistance from public works and police support for events.
Twenty years ago Downtown Tehachapi had declined over the course of years as development moved away from the core. There is no denying that downtown Tehachapi has become a much more vibrant and entertaining area in the past two decades, with the help of Main Street Tehachapi. More information is available at http://www.MainStreetTehachapi.org or by calling (661) 822-6519.
