Main Street Renaissance

Berlin Maryland.
This is a late 19th Century town by all appearances. Berlin sits astride the Maryland and Delaware RR line along the seaboard. The town has taken pains to coordinate the exterior buildings to enhance the beautiful brick work in the older buildings that dominate the architecture. Stucco and frame-like buildings are painted in hues of terra cotta and sand and the affect is very nice, very appealing. My little hometown back in Kentucky is struggling to do a renaissance of its main street. I recall back in 1987-1994 or so I was involved in various Army projects that used this same approach in developing Communities of Excellence: complimentary colors, signage, and services. Note the little touches here: the drain pipe and trim compliment the theme of the brick town. Signage like that of the late 19th century-fairly uniform in size and appearance, period lamp posts, sand colored door and panels reflect the mortar, terra cotta flower pot and period wagon full of flowers. Yet their could be some minor improvements still (trash can color and design clashes within environment), the PNC Bank signage seems out of place and time as does the bright green 2-Hour paring sign. In the Army the standards were regulation. In a town like this the must become ordinance and be enforced to succeed, something many are unwilling to commit to this level of community coordination and cooperation.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T