About DSI

Downtown Sanford, Inc. is a 501c(3) non-profit dedicated to the economic health and quality of life in Downtown Sanford, North Carolina. Downtown Sanford, Inc. (DSI) strives to continually fulfill its mission, which is as follows:

To manage the development of Downtown Sanford as the primary economic, cultural, and social center of the community; to educate the community on the unique assets and historical significance of the downtown area; and to promote and stimulate the improvement of these assets.

The non-profit DSI, originally coined Downtown Sanford Redevelopment Corporation, was formed in 1984 as a result of Downtown Sanford being selected a North Carolina Main Street community in that same year. Because the commitments displayed by the local government and community leaders to downtown were already evident, Downtown Sanford seemed to be an ideal candidate as a Main Street Community. In its infinite wisdom, the City felt it necessary to establish an impartial non-profit board, which would oversee the future growth of its downtown with imaginative uses of resources and visions.

Initially, the corporation had a promotional approach to downtown primarily focusing on sponsoring special events, printing a local newsletter, and advocating local businesses through paid advertisements. In 1997, however, the Downtown Sanford Redevelopment Corporation embarked on a long-range work plan that involved much more than promotion. Components of the work plan included changing the name to Downtown Sanford, Inc., developing a Mission Statement, preparing a market study for downtown business recruitment and retention, and developing the design for Depot Park.

It is from the work plan that DSI continues to work today. The south side of Depot Park has been completed, and the north side is currently under construction. DSI also is addressing short-term infrastructure goals such as security (lighting), site improvements (trash collection, murals, etc.), and the administration of a $15,000 building improvement grants program. Marketing efforts still continue including regional advertising efforts and special events designed to bring visitors from across the state into downtown and the Lee County community.

A 20-member Board of Directors, which are appointed by the sitting board members, governs the corporation. The funding for the organization comes from private donations and tax revenues generated within a municipal service district. Currently, property owners within the special tax district pay an additional $.13 per $100 valuation to support downtown initiatives. The City of Sanford also contributes substantially by funding the Executive Director's salary and with financial and in-kind contributions to specific capital improvement projects.

On the long-term horizon, DSI plans on addressing four major issues: streetscape, parking, market rate housing, and a Downtown Master Plan. DSI feels that streetscape is a fundamental reinvestment strategy for downtown; it is one of the first steps toward building consumer confidence in downtown and subsequently encouraging investment into the community. DSI also needs to concentrate on the perceived lack of parking downtown, particularly educating the general public of the locations for public parking and encouraging business owners not to park in on-street parking thereby taking away parking for potential customers. Third, DSI would like to focus on market rate housing, using now vacant second and third floors of commercial buildings for loft apartments and townhouses and encouraging the development of new buildings for housing. Finally, DSI feels that the creation of a Downtown Master Plan is imperative as it will offer a comprehensive look at downtown and cultivate a complete vision for the future.