Retail therapy for Carlisle

High "I" project moves forward

September 26, 2006

From left: Paul Lee '07, Alex Pettaway '10, Liza Williams '10, Danielle Waranch '07 and Serena Bartolucci '07 act as live mannequins while Midge McCauley discusses the need for attractive storefronts and the right merchandise mix.

President William G. Durden '71, as a member of the High "I" Partnership Board, recently announced the next phase in the group's plans for revitalizing Carlisle's downtown. Plans include the hiring of Margaret "Midge" McCauley, an internationally known retail consultant, and the college's commitment of more than $100,000 for the project.

High "I" refers to the portion of West High Street from Carlisle's center square to the campus. Durden explained during a press conference at the ClothesVine that McCauley, a principal with Los Angeles-based Economics Research Associates and executive director of Downtown Works, which specializes in urban initiatives and downtown retail development, had been hired. Her task is to create strategies for retail recruitment and retention to create a healthy, stable downtown retail district.

The third phase of the project is the hiring, training and funding of a retail coordinator to implement McCauley's plan. The initial phase of the High "I" plan was the formation of the High "I" Partnership Board.