For more than 10 years, the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association has been encouraging economic development within the context of historic preservation in ways that are appropriate for today’s marketplace. We are seeking to rebuild our traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets, distinctive architecture, pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership and a sense of community. Thankfully, with the strong financial support of local businesses, property owners, and the Town of Fuquay-Varina, we are making a significant difference in our historic downtowns. Below are just a few examples of how the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association is making a difference in our community.

NC Main Street Manager

• In 2009, applied for and won Best Downtown Special Promotion on behalf of the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association for the Hunt 100-Centennial Challenge.
• In 2009, worked with the NC Main Street program on our “third-year” assessment. Fuquay-Varina received a very favorable review after three years in the program.
• In 2009, the FVRA submitted Fuquay-Varina’s Main Street statistics. Communities with “statistics in good standing” are able to apply for NC Main Street Awards and apply for grant money available through the NC Main Street program.
• In 2009, nominated Mayor John Byrne as Fuquay-Varina’s Main Street Champion.
• In 2008, worked with the NC Main Street program on a 2 year assessment of downtown Fuquay-Varina strengths and opportunities. Fuquay-Varina is making progress in the NC Main Street program.
• In 2008, applied for and won the NC Main Street Award for the Best New Construction Project Award on behalf of Akins Property for the Varina Station Project.
• In 2008, nominated W.E. Medlin, Past FVRA Chairman, as Fuquay-Varina’s Main Street Champion.
• In 2007, the FVRA brought together more than 100 people, the largest cross-section of people in Fuquay-Varina’s history, for a Community Visioning Forum to create a 2012 vision for the historic downtown core.
• In 2007, asked 36 citizens to use disposable cameras to take photographs of design elements they liked and disliked in downtown to create “Picture Downtown.” These 300 photographs have guided many planning decisions about downtown.
• In 2007, the Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association began executing the 2007 NC Main Street Resource Team Report to improve our efforts in organization, economic restructuring, promotions and design.
• In 2007, applied for and won the NC Main Street Award for the Best New Outdoor Project Award on behalf of the Town of Fuquay-Varina and the Phase 1 Streetscape Project.
• In 2006, we applied for and received the coveted North Carolina Main Street Community Designation.

Town and Fuquay-Varina Revitalization Association Partnership

• Recommended to the town that we jointly study, amend and adopt new standards to ensure compatible new construction standards in the downtown area through a Town Center Plan. The recommendation was adopted and in 2010 the town and revitalization will work to put legislation in place to fully implement the plan.
• In 2009, plans for Phase 2 Streetscape Improvements were finalized and approved. Revitalization and the town have worked in conjunction for many years to make this a project a reality.
• In conjunction with the Town, helped create a Master Plan for future revitalization efforts.
• As part of this Master Plan, a 36-space parking lot at the corner of Main and Academy Streets opened in June 2008.
• In 2005, we worked with the Town to complete Phase 1 of the streetscape project.
• Revitalization worked with the town to amend zoning laws in the area directly above Academy Street in downtown Fuquay-Varina.

Design

• In 2009, the FVRA created and recommended a Pedestrian Friendly Sign Plan to the Town of Fuquay-Varina to help citizens cross Main and Broad Streets at certain crosswalks. The Town adopted the plan. Revitalization agreed to pay half the cost of the plan. The plan has been very effective at helping pedestrians cross Broad and Main Streets and at slowing traffic on both roads.
• In the past 5 years, the FVRA has given away 23 Façade Grants and 7 Awning Removal Grants totaling approximately $28,000 – literally changing the face of downtown Fuquay-Varina. In 2010, the FVRA will endeavor to restart this program.
• In 2006, funded $9,700 toward the purchase of historically accurate street posts not included in the Phase 1 Streetscape Project.

Events, Promotions and Cultural Opportunities

In 2009, the FVRA held 12 events and 3 promotions with more than 40,000 people attending an event or promotion in downtown. Here’s a list of FVRA events in 2009:

• Hunt 100 – A Historical Scavenger Hunt in support of the 100th Birthday, March 13-28, 2009
  The Hunt 100 won a Best Downtown Special Promotion at the NC Main Street Awards
• Easter Egg Hunt – April, 11, 2009
  More than 1500 children plus their guardians attended.
• The Downtown Cruise-In – The Third Friday of each month from May thru August 2009
  For the second year in a row, we partnered with the Fuquay Cruisers to host the third Friday night Cruise-In. More than 100 Classic Cars attended each event held in the large public parking lot across from Cooley’s Restaurant.
• The Celebration of the Arts – June 6, 2009
  More than 80 vendors set up and more than 10,000 guests attended the COA event in 2009.
• The Taste of Fuquay-Varina – September 26, 2009
  Five restaurants competed for the title of “Best Chicken Wings in Fuquay-Varina” and 45 bakers competed in 6 cake categories for cash prizes and bragging rights. Despite rain, more than 3000 people showed up to taste cake, wings and the offerings of the merchants along Broad Street. View a video of The Taste of Fuquay-Varina
• Brass Nickel Tour – October 28, 2009
  More than 90 cars manufactured prior to 1931 as part of the Antique Automobile Club of America Vintage Tour visited Fuquay-Varina. More than 4000 people visited downtown for an evening of fall fun. View a video of the Brass Nickel Tour
• Trick of Treat in Downtown – October 30, 2009
  This popular event grows every year with more children attending. Approximately 800 children plus their parents visited downtown Fuquay-Varina to trick or treat. View a video of Trick or Treat in Downtown
• Downtown Chili Cook-off – October 31, 2009
  Thirteen contestants participated with more than 550 people tasting chili. Approximately 10,000 people attended the Day in Downtown Event. View a video of the Chili Cook-off
• Free Sleigh Rides, December 3, 2009
  Approximately 700 people ride the free Sleigh Rides provided by the FVRA at the Town Christmas Tree Lighting which draws more than 4000 people. View a video of the Sleigh Rides

PROMOTIONS:

The FVRA sponsored three promotional events in downtown in 2009. They were:

• Landmark Sale (April 26, 2009) – 18 Merchants participated
• Downtown Holiday Open House (December 4 & 5) – 28 Merchants participated
• Cash for Christmas – 28 Merchants participated and more than 3500 people signed up to win a $500 downtown gift certificate

COMMUNCATING WITH FUQUAY-VARINA AND BEYOND

• A weekly newsletter was sent every week via the Internet to approximately 2,500 communicating downtown sales promotions and special events. This communication has been extremely effective in promoting downtown and our businesses.
• We added You Tube Videos on the web in September 2009 and have more than 1000 people view videos of downtown Fuquay-Varina.
• The Association added a Face Book page in September and we have more than 120 friends.
• We have developed an organization and downtown brand/logo which will be rolled out in late March.

Our website, www.fuquay-varinadowntown.com communicates events, promotions, Fuquay-Varina history and includes a downtown business directory of all downtown businesses so if a business does not have an Internet presence, they will at a minimum have one on our website. If a business does have an Internet presence, there is a link to it on our site. We have also added features to our website expanding our unique visitors to the site from 8,200 in 2008 to 9,943 and our hits from 273,548 to 295,657.