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I previously talked about Main Street Wyoming and some things that might help downtown Douglas. At this time I want to point out some of the things that have been done to help the downtown area. If I miss what you have done, please forgive me; it is not my intent to name some and ignore others. You might use this opportunity to reply to my article and point out what you have done if I miss you! This is not to “take away” from businesses in other parts of Douglas, but is concerning the “downtown” area. Haught Pot’s Pizza & Subs; The Depot restaurant; The LaBonte Hotel and Restaurant renovations; H.R. Block new building; White Wolf Saloon renovations; Lady Bugs & Polka Dots; Hilton Medical Building repainted; Allure; Money Express renovations; Converse Land Title Co. renovations; Douglas Day Spa; Whistle-Stop Mercantile; Fastenal; Boys and Girls Club facelift; Princess Theater complete renovation from previous Mesa Theater; Repainting exterior of Moose; Jen’s Books; and several other buildings. Farmer’s Market success for the last several years; Jackalope Days street dance and vendor booths; Mardi Gras celebration; Chili cook-off; Movie night by Chamber of Commerce. Include these things with the other new businesses and changes along West Yellowstone, Richards Street, Fourth Street, Riverbend and other areas of the town, and we are pretty healthy as a business community. I would still like to encourage development of downtown apartment space that will appeal to young people and in turn affect the health of the downtown businesses. If any of you are interested in learning more about this, the following book may be of interest to you. “Converting Storefronts to Housing” provides ideas and design solutions for converting commercial storefronts to residential uses. When this book was written, rehabbing storefronts for residential uses was a new idea. In the years since, it has become a feasible option in many downtowns, and it is claimed that no publication before or since has presented the case for and details on, how to rehab storefronts as comprehensively and completely. On the web you can get this book at: or you can fax 1-[PHONE REDACTED] or phone 1-800-232- 4317. Perhaps Whistle-Stop Mercantile can help you, or contact Cindy Porter at CANDO, or get further information at Some other things that influence the downtown area that need considered: • Rents downtown have tended to be pretty high. Will the owners help keep them as low as possible to help the success of new businesses and housing? • Parking is limited downtown. What ideas do you have that might help alleviate this problem for apartments and businesses? • Is there an organization or individual that could help with a survey of different age groups to determine what their needs and desires are for what they would like in the downtown area? Various types of help are available through CANDO and Main Street Wyoming for evaluation, architectural help, ideas etc. Contact Cindy Porter or Sherri Mullinnix. Sherri pointed out that Main Street Douglas has been in business for a couple of years, has funded architectural redesigns for five downtown buildings, several of which have been accomplished; they held a clinic for area businesses on window displays; they have sponsored events downtown to provide enjoyment to community residents and bring people to the area. They are actively looking for people interested in serving on one of their committees. Here is a wonderful opportunity for seniors, young people, stay-at-home moms, and others who love their town and want to get involved in making Douglas a more attractive, fun and profitable place to live. Is that you?