Looking through a stranger’s eye

Sometimes when I have been away, I come home and see something that really has needed attention. But I was too blind to it when I walked by it daily.

Then I tell Bill.

We have spent time painting or replacing a board here and there. A few colorful flowers planted in the front and backyards really make a difference. A welcome flag and an ISU stone feel pretty uplifting — and hopeful.

Everyone driving by our place has noticed that we took down the two big hollow trees on our lane that we knew were going to land on a parked car sometime soon if we didn’t take care of them.

The same thing could be said for our buildings in the Jefferson downtown.

A broken board, an old door or a window can be replaced to make a difference. A coat of paint with perhaps a new color helps the place take on a new life. Flowers in a planter outside the front door look so inviting. Signage in the windows or on the door can say welcome, come on in. A new display of your wares makes customers take a second look.  

Jefferson Matters: Main Street has offered a Building Improvement Mini-Grant of up to $250 to help building owners in the Main Street District make changes to the exterior of their businesses.

There is an easy application to fill out with the ideas for your improvements of paint, tuck-point, replacement of doors or windows, and removal of elements that aren’t needed anymore. The Design Committee would even assist with painting if that helps to get this accomplished. We have an extraordinary group of JMOC — Jefferson Make Over Crew volunteers. How is that for service?

Take time to look up, down and all around the front of your building.

If you were new to Jefferson, would you be interested in going in or feeling welcomed? If you were on a bicycle or with a carload of friends wearing red hats, would it draw you in?

Perhaps ask someone from your own “personal board of directors” to give you an honest opinion on what could be done to spruce up the place.  There could be great ideas out there.

Please take advantage of this super incentive our Main Street board has budgeted to make a difference in our downtown.

Give me a call, stop in the office or check out the application on our website at jeffersonmatters.org.

Our downtown is beautiful and Jefferson Matters: Main Street appreciates your attention to this.

Peg Raney is program director of Jefferson Matters: Main Street. Contact her at director@jeffersonmatters.org or 515-386-3585.