I like stories. I’ve been known to sit in stunned silence when I stumble on an especially brilliant one. I sit in awe like a little child listening in rapt attention when I find someone that can really tell a story. Bottom line – stories are it for me.
It was that love of stories that excited me when I heard a segment on NPR about a project called “Mapping Main Street.” The project will document the Main Street’s of this country. Who lives there? Why do they live there? What businesses still exist? Does the typical white picket fence, small-town ideal still apply to Main Street today?
As soon as I heard the NPR segment, I knew Gainesville’s Main Street held stories that needed to be heard. And I knew any way, whatever I could do, I wanted to be a part of discovering Main Street. I knew I wanted in.
Now this isn’t going to be only an exercise in how to interview random people on Gainesville’s Main Street.
I plan to update you on the city of Gainesville’s plan to revitalize our own Main Street. Where is the money allocated? Who gets it? What businesses benefit? Does this plan to revitalize really affect the community?
I know there are businesses out there that have stood the test of time. I want to know more about them. And I know there are people whose lives intersect with Main Street on a daily basis. I can’t wait to hear from them.
Here’s a video of the “Mapping Main Street” project:
