The National Park Service is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act in 2016, and in November of 2015, kicked-off this celebration with a #50for50 social media campaign that highlights one historical preservation project from each state. Today (Thursday), they announced they are featuring the Downtown Revitalization Project in Manning. Main Street Manning Board President, Ron Reischl, said the state office recommended them for this honor.
Reischl said it was not only the scope of the projects done but also the sheer percentage of business owners who committed to the revitalization. The people of Manning took it one step further, he said, and completed major historical renovations on the interiors of those businesses as well that reflects and preserves the rich heritage of the German community.
In one instance, with Deb’s Corner Café, Reischl said, they were able to save a business and a building the construction company had deemed structurally positioned for catastrophic failure at any time. These changes have not only benefitted the existing businesses, but it has also helped Manning grow. Since construction was completed, three new businesses have moved in and the fourth is set to open in March. Negotiations are underway with additional businesses for the downtown district, but the revitalization has been complimented by construction outside of the downtown with the addition of a Dollar General and the forthcoming Boulders Inn Manning as well as the new Char-Mac Assisted Living facility.
The feature on Manning and the projects by Paula Mohr, an architect historian with the state historical preservation office, can be viewed by following this link.
