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Main Street Ozark History
The Main Street Cities National Program started in the 1970's with the state of Arkansas adopting the program in 1984. Ozark became a MainStreetCity in 1988 with Tommy Dangers becoming the first Director.
The First president was George Lindley II. George donated much of his time to developing a working Board of Directors. Riverbend Properties, co-owned by Lindley, Ivan Dillard and Sandy Key provided office space, supplies, and equipment to the organization for the first twelve years at no cost to Main Street.
From 1990 through 1996 James Hugh Gilmer served as Executive Director. Gilmer had great insight into the direction the program should be going and laid the groundwork for much of the progress that we are still seeing today.
In 1996 Sandy Key became Main Street Ozark's third Executive Director and remains in this position today. Under her guidance, Main Street Ozark has made great progress toward making James Gilmer's visions a reality. This Progress includes, museum, streetscape with new sidewalks, crape myrtles and historic street lights and a pocket park. Obtaining funds to light the Arkansas RiverBridge, a dream of local business man Steve Outlaw, has also been accomplished in the last few years as well as the purchase of a historic building which houses Main Street Ozark and ConferenceCenter, The Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce, and The Ozark Tourist Information Center.
Plans to develop the downtown portion of the Arkansas River are in the initial stages. The riverfront plans include a river market, marina, walking trail and pier.
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