Community Gathering for Sag Harbor's Main Street Preservation
At a community gathering at The Church in Sag Harbor on Madison Street on Sunday afternoon, the Sag Harbor Partnership board invited residents and stakeholders to a public meeting regarding their new initiative. The goal is to preserve the unique character, diversity, and long-term vitality of Sag Harbor's Main Street business district.
The partnership, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing life in Sag Harbor, organized the meeting in response to concerns about maintaining the area's distinct blend of independent businesses, local identity, and welcoming atmosphere.
Discussion Points:
The meeting focused on innovative economic solutions and provided a platform for residents and business owners to share their ideas. A panel of partnership task force members, including:
- John Alschuler, founding member and former chairman of HR&A Advisors
- April Gornik, co-founder of The Church and chair of the Sag Harbor Cinema
- Susan Mead, land-use attorney, co-president of the Sag Harbor Partnership, and cinema restoration initiator
- Fred Thiele, former New York State Assemblyman and lifelong Sag Harbor resident
- Shawn Sachs, partner and CEO of Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis, a global communications firm
Key Takeaways:
- The partnership is creating a separate nonprofit entity inspired by ReMain Nantucket, which invests in local businesses and real estate to preserve community character.
- This new entity will establish a capital fund to support local businesses facing challenges due to market trends.
- The goal is to form a public-private partnership, utilizing private donations and grant funding.
- Both Mead and Thiele aim to establish the nonprofit before the end of the year, potentially as an extension or a separate entity.
Mead emphasized the meeting's purpose:
"We wanted to gather community thoughts and input, explain our efforts, and discuss our plans."
Alschuler likened the partnership's approach to downtown revitalization, but in reverse. Sag Harbor Village, despite its success, has become a victim of its popularity, with rising rents squeezing out local mom-and-pop shops. While village officials work on zoning changes, a formula store exclusion district, and other regulations, the partnership plans to ensure the beloved local businesses can stay affordable.
The panelists and involved individuals referenced previous successes, such as Thiele's work on the Community Preservation Fund and Commu, highlighting that while the challenge is unique, solutions exist.