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Rick McDuffie of River Town Outfitters, Thomas Howerton, Mayor Daniel Evans, Sheriff Steve Bizzell, Rev. Lee Colbert, Chris Johnson, and Tim Johnson of Parks and Recreation plan to pedal themselves to work on the inaugural "Cycle Smithfield" Day.
DOWNTOWN SETS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
AS THE DATE TO "CYCLE SMITHFIELD"
To promote a healthier and "greener" community, the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation invites local residents who work in the Downtown Business District to “Cycle Smithfield” on Friday, October 8.
Participants who do not live within biking distance to Downtown are encouraged to meet at Smithfield Community Park on Booker Dairy Road for the 7:30 a.m. kick-off. The group will ride Downtown on the new Buffalo Creek Greenway.
Orchard House Booksellers will provide cyclists with free coffee at Community Park and to those who ride to their Downtown store at 117 N. Third Street. Smithfield Parks and Recreation will offer prizes including T-shirts and memberships to the Smithfield Recreation and Aquatics Center. Gandolfo’s New York Deli, Bistro on Third, and The Diner have agreed treat cyclists with a free lunch. Lunch tickets can be picked up at Community Park or at the Hastings House, located at 200 S. Front Street, from 7:30 until 9 a.m. October 8.
The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation will install creative and decorative bicycle racks throughout Downtown prior to the event.
“With the opening of the Neuse Riverwalk and Buffalo Creek Greenway, Smithfield has become increasingly bike-friendly,” stated Mayor Daniel Evans. “A lot of town and county leaders have committed to the idea and the date and I hope that a lot of residents will join us as we bike Downtown on the 8th.”
The intent of this event is to encourage people to bicycle to work not only on October 8, but every Friday.
“We are having more and more residents pick up the hobby of cycling and then using the greenway for exercising purposes,” said Chris Johnson, DSDC Executive Director. “Working with Smithfield Parks and Recreation and the Planning Department, we have already begun reviewing the application process to become nationally recognized 'Bike Friendly' community and expand on this growing trend.”
DOWNTOWN SMITHFIELD ACCREDITED
AS A NATIONAL MAIN STREET PROGRAM
Downtown Smithfield has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center.
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The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation's performance is evaluated annually by the North Carolina Main Street Center, which works in partnership with the National Trust Main Street Center to identify the local programs that meet 10 performance standards. Evaluation criteria determine which communities are building comprehensive and sustainable revitalization efforts and include standards such as developing a mission, fostering strong public-private partnerships, securing an operating budget, tracking economic progress, and preserving historic buildings.
Downtown Smithfield became a North Carolina state-certified Main Street Program in 1986. Over the past 24 years it has been recognized as a leader across the state with innovative business development incentives, assisting entrepreneurs with new construction and redevelopment projects, completing streetscape projects, and hosting community festivals and events.
"Obtaining the national accreditation is a tremendous achievement for Downtown Smithfield," said Chris Johnson, Executive Director of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC). "This accomplishment proves the hard work, commitment, and dedication of our town, local small businesses, and the DSDC organization. Downtown Smithfield will always be a work in progress as it maintains its vitality, sustainability, and market share. The national recognition received speaks volumes for the hard work and effort of so many Smithfield leaders and citizens."
Recent DSDC projects include the Neuse Riverwalk and Buffalo Creek Greenway, downtown signage and streetscaping, walking tours, tax-grant incentives, and preservation of the historic Hastings House.
The new and improved Neuse Riverwalk:
part of the 3-mile Buffalo Creek Greenway
To learn more about Downtown Smithfield, e-mail DSDC Director Chris Johnson, or call him at (919) 934-0887.
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