For years, Saline has been working to revitalize its downtown - and now, a group of residents is working toward the city becoming a Michigan Main Street Community.

“Downtown Saline is an important community symbol - the traditional center of government, finance, commercial activity and civic life,” according to information about the program.

Cindy Czubko, chairman of the Saline Business Development Association, updated the Saline City Council Monday night on the progress that’s been made since last summer when Saline was selected as one of 10 Michigan communities to take part in this program.

Future downtown projects and priorities include:

* Assist in developing and filling vacant properties

* Create a central community gathering space

* Offer visitor accommodations, hotel, bed and breakfast

* Create a music, arts and culture mecca

* Create a walkable downtown

* Encourage downtown residential spaces

* Create year-round community events

* Enhance downtown’s physical appearance

They’ve formed a new non-profit called the Saline Historic Downtown Alliance, which is focused on “the revitalization of downtown Saline for the benefit of the entire community,” she said.

According to the group's Website, "The board members of the new organization, with the support of the City of Saline and the EDC, are actively working to apply to the Michigan Main Street Center to become an official ‘Main Street’ community. A very competitive process, only a maximum of three communities will be chosen in 2012."

Czubko, who is president of the group, said members have given presentations explaining the program to more than a dozen local organizations, including two neighboring townships.

“With dwindling funds at the city level and the state of the economy, we realized we need an organization that is focused solely on the preservation and revitalization of our downtown that would collaborate with the efforts already in place, work on additional efforts that are needed, and also involve the whole community. That’s how Main Street can help,” Czubko said previously.

Saline’s downtown encompasses Lewis to Harris streets, Henry to McKay streets and includes the former Union School, City Hall and the fire department.

The group has named its educational campaign 'Route’12 to Main Street.' She said the group has developed a Website as well as a Facebook page as part of its awareness and support campaign. Volunteers are collecting data from each business and property owner in the district and “working on a statement of historical significance of the downtown and the community’s commitment to historic preservation,” the information states.

To learn more about the National Main Street Center, click here.

Lisa Allmendinger is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com.