About the Uptown Renewal Team

The Marysville Uptown Renewal Team is a division of the Union County Economic Development Partnership dedicated to revitalizing Marysville's Uptown District into a vibrant hub of activity. Established in 2004, the Uptown Renewal Team, or URT as it is known locally, has been dedicated to preserving Marysville's historic qualities while encouraging new business opportunities, building reuse and rehabilitation.

Mission Statement: The Marysville Uptown Renewal Team (URT) is a public/private partnership forged to revitalize the Uptown area into a vibrant hub of activity. URT will: Organize, Design, Promote, and Economically Restructure.

URT is made up of volunteers from around Marysville. It is governed by a fifteen member Board of Directors and is supported by twelve additional advisors. URT also receives support from the Union County Chamber of Commerce, City of Marysville, and the Union County Board of Commissioners.

The Uptown Renewal Team is organized following Main Street principals. There are four primary committees: Economic Restructuring, Organization, Promotion, and Design. Although different in their function, each committee serves a vital purpose.

Executive Committee

President: John Cunningham
Vice President: Dennis Schulze
Treasurer: Ryan McDonnell
Secretary: Liz Meeder
Manager: Gretchen Friend

Committees

Economic Restructuring Committee
Joe Duke, Chair

Responsibilities:

Surveying Uptown’s Current Economic Condition
Monitoring Economic Indicators in Uptown
Identifying Opportunities for Market Growth
Strengthening Existing Businesses
Recruiting New Businesses
Encourage Reuse of Historic Buildings
Developing Financial Incentives & Capital Available for Projects
Work with Banks, Realtors, Developers & Property Owners on Improvement Projects
Develop & Update a Market Analysis for Uptown
Address Threats to the Business Environment

Promotions Committee
Kim Hott, Chair

Responsibilities:

Develop & Promote the Image of Uptown
Address Negative Images Surrounding Uptown
Promote Uptown to Residents & Visitors
Develop Reasons for Individuals & Families to Return to Uptown
Facilitate Cooperative Advertising Opportunities
Develop, Organize & Implement Events in Uptown
Celebrate the Uptown as a Heritage Destination

Design Committee
Liz Meeder, Chair

Responsibilities:

Research Historical Characteristics of Uptown Buildings
Make Recommendations for Façade Improvements
Develop a Program to Offer Incentives for Good Design
Educate Building Owners about Good Design Practices
Assist Businesses with Design Review & Approval Process
Organize Projects Relevant to Uptown Streetscape
Act as a Liaison to Ohio Historical Society
Develop Signs & Way finding Program for Uptown
Organize Plaques for Historical Recognition
Offer Awards to Individuals Emulating Best Design Practices

Organization Committee
Dennis Schulze, Chair

Responsibilities:

Coordinating Fundraising Campaigns and Raising Money For Projects
Organize Staff, Recruit & Train Volunteers
Promoting the Renewal Team and its Mission
Managing Budget & Finances
Coordinating and Hosting Meetings
Visiting Uptown Businesses (Retention Visits)
Communicating News to the Media
Monitoring Progress of Uptown Renewal Team
Developing Annual Work Plan

Marysville Uptown Renewal Team
Gretchen Friend, Manager
128 South Main Street
Marysville, OH 43040
937-642-6279 | Email