Colorado Main Street Program / Uplift Meeker
In 2023, Meeker moved up a level from Designated and was accepted as a Graduate Community in the Colorado Main Street Program and follows the Main Street approach which includes Organization, Promotion, Design and Economic Vitality. The program is designed to advocate and support a return to local empowerment, and the rebuilding of central business districts based on the traditional assets of each community’s unique architecture, character, and local ownership. More information about the Colorado program can be found here: DOLA Main Street Website
UPLIFT MEEKER RECEIVES 2023 MAIN STREET AMERICA ACCREDITATION: Uplift Meeker, Meeker’s Main Street Program has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America™ program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the list of Accredited programs to recognize their exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach™. Read the Press Release here
About Uplift Meeker is the organizational name for Meeker’s Main Street Program. (formerly Project45)
Mission Statement
“Uplift Meeker is the hub that connects community organizations to cultivate ideas that build and promote the heart of Meeker”.
Vision Statement
“Bustling Community, Beautiful Downtown”
Big Idea
We are Meeker, and we are an amazing connection of people that’s anything but accidental.
We’re here because quality of life matters, and we appreciate that loyal relationships start with a kind word, a warm heart and the spirit to treat everyone like a best friend. This is a place where the urban-weary discover their forever home. While our natural surroundings encourage locals and visitors to roam free, everyone needs a warm place to curl up, sit and stay a while. Meeker’s historic charm paired with dramatic landscapes invites you to unleash the potential of small town life and we are the ones making that life the best it can be.
- Our Board: Christy Whitney-Borchard (President) , Teresia Ruckman-Reed (Vice President), Carly Thomson, Niki Turner
- Program Manager: Stephanie Hanson is the manager of Meeker’s program, and is also a member of the Colorado Main Street Advisory Board as the community representative.
- View our Strategic Plan : UPLIFT MEEKER
- Join Us: We meet on the third Thursday of the month at Noon at the Business Center, 345 Market Street
- Volunteer: We are looking for community members who love Meeker and want to join us in making Meeker a great place to live, play and visit! There are a variety of things our volunteers do from helping to keep our downtown looking great , help at downtown events, provide information and guidance to visitors! https://meekerchamber.com/volunteer/
We are featured in the publication “The Main Thing”: The Main Thing is a collection of resources compiled by Colorado Main Street to highlight innovations, give a thumbs-up to local practitioners, and encourage the spread of positive news! main-partnering vol 7 Jan 2021 MT_Past_Pandemic_Vol-11 The Main Thing vol 3 – Event Adaptations
PROJECTS
Community Builders- Building Better Places Training
We were accepted in March 2024 to join this training to seek strategic direction in addressing safety and connectivity challenges associated with the Market Street-State Highway 13 corridor. Our team, representing a diversity or entities, discussed how to approach an overarching Market Street strategy framework that:
- Includes a cogent vision for the corridor and its relationship to the downtown;
- Knits together and builds upon previous plans and studies;
- Provides specific, phased actions for achieving the community’s vision; and
- Fosters community support and buy-in for implementation.
The Action Plan included where we are, where we want to be, and how we will get there.
Custom Meeker Bike Racks and Parklets
Through the CDPH Quick Win Grant, AARP Grant and Main Street Grant, we enhanced our downtown with custom bike racks and parklets. Designed by our committee and created by ER Welding, the 20 bike racks add a pop of colors and create a safe place to park bikes (or horses!) We celebrated National Bike to Work Day to highlight the bike rack locations and our new Bike lane along along CO Hwy 13. The parklets, built by the Town of Meeker, have additional flower planters, tables and chairs and a shade sail.
Murals #MeekerMakesArt
We began a mural project with two new murals in Meeker, and more have been added! The murals depict the cultural and recreational vibrancy of Meeker! Take a stroll to Elk Mountain Inn at 7th and Market Street, Town Park, and 6th and Main to see the artwork created by Seth Weber, Ben Quinn and Nora Gianinetti! Take your photos with the murals and tag them on social media with #MeekerMakesArt
Downtown Lightpole Banners
Banners were added to the lightpoles along Main Street from 7th to 3rd street that celebrate Meeker’s historic and recreational culture. The banners at the intersections display colorful artwork and were the result of a collaboration with Meeker High School art teacher, Ben Quinn. The High School art students created the art reflecting historic buildings, recreational activities and iconic cultural images. The banners along the streets note cultural and historic events. Stroll Main Street and you’ll notice the vibrancy these unique banners add to our downtown!
Walk Your City Signs
Based on www.walkyourcity.org, these temporary signs showed the distance in minutes to some town amenities, in a fun and unique way. There were 10 sign locations, with a QR code to view a map of the locations.
- The signs are located at primary pedestrian stopping points, to reach people and offer a new and approachable opportunity for public participation.
- The signs encourage more active transportation choices, and boost the community’s walkability, making Meeker healthier, safer, and more vibrant.
- The signs raise awareness about places to explore around Meeker. People are engaged to further take a photo of the QR code and see the locations throughout town on a digital map.
For more info : Meeker- walk your city about
Wayfinding Signs
The idea of wayfinding signs in Meeker has been talked about for many years and our committee decided to take on the development of this project. The signs direct visitors along Market Street and throughout town to Meeker’s attractions. These include places such as the library, cemetery, National Historic District, White River, Schools and more. They not only direct, but also inform people about the amenities Meeker has to offer.
We are still raising funds for the project, which has so far been funded by DOLA, Town of Meeker, Rio Blanco County, ERBM Recreation & Park District, Cemetery District, Library District and the Meeker Chamber of Commerce.
We thank our local contractors Identity Graphics, Ruckmans Shop, Kromer Electric and the Town of Meeker.
CONSULTANTS/ STUDIES
Building Better Places Workshop
In March 2024, we were accepted in the Community Builders Building Better Places Workshop. Our team represented a variety of entities in Meeker and joined to seek strategic direction in addressing safety and connectivity challenges associated with the Market Street-State Highway 13 corridor.
Through facilitated discussion, the training team discussed how to approach an overarching Market Street strategy framework that:
- Includes a cogent vision for the corridor and its relationship to the downtown;
- Knits together and builds upon previous plans and studies;
- Provides specific, phased actions for achieving the community’s vision; and
- Fosters community support and buy-in for implementation.
The Action Plan addresses Where we are, Where we want to be and How we get there.
Community Placemaking:
Meeker Project:45, in partnership with Rio Blanco County Office of Economic Development, was awarded a Blueprint 2.0 Initiative by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade for Community Placemaking. OEDIT, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and Community Builders, led the initiative that engaged the community by identifying local assets, providing instruction on the fundamentals of developing a sense of place, and developing a cohesive vision and strategy based on community assets. The key to building a strong and resilient economy starts with creating a great community where people want to live and work. The Interactive Community Placemaking Public Workshop was held and a document was developed that summarizes the goals and strategies for placemaking to be used as a guide for action and implementation. One of the strategies includes Market Street Redesign and Streetscaping.
Click to view the Meeker.Blueprint2.0CommunityPlacemaking.StrategyDocument.
Meeker Market Analysis and Opportunities Assessment
Through the Main Street Program, RBI Consulting was hired to prepare a Market Analysis for Meeker. Click here to read the Final Report , which includes the following:
- Results from the Market Analysis, Business and Property Inventory and Business Survey
- Identifies market gaps and opportunities for development based on base industry sectors, such as creative industries, professional services and other business
- Highlights commercial development opportunities
- Recommendations and Strategies that resonate with the community and consider history, projects, goals and values
Meeker Partnerships Plan
Colorado Main Street hired Ayres Associates to look into partnerships for Meeker’s Project 45 and intersecting organizations to build relationships and maximize their impact in the community. Click to view the Meeker Partnerships Plan .
MORE INFO
The Main Thing: is a collection of resources addressing reopening the economy compiled by Colorado Main Street to highlight innovations, give a thumbs-up to local practitioners, and encourage the spread of positive news. Topic include Outdoors spacea, Planning Events and ideas for Local PPE.
Our Meeker Farmers Market was mentioned in these two issues of “The Main Thing”: DOLA Event Adaptatations Aug 2020 The Main Thing vol 3 Event Adaptations
Read the Colorado Main Street Quarterly Newsletters: MS-Newsletter-Summer2019 MS-Newsletter-Autumn2019 quarterly-news-2020-spring (1) quarterly-summer-2020