Grass-roots Main Street Revitalization

"28th Avenue, between Northeast Glisan and Southeast Stark -- The stretch of street -- a hybrid of the Kerns and Buckman neighborhoods -- has transformed itself since 1999 into a hub for new and innovative business. Young entrepreneurs such as Birk have flocked to the avenue to set up restaurants, hair salons, interior design shops, vintage stores and a jumble of other small-business ventures... It's a great example of how a main street can develop organically -- without the help of city funding or extensive outside planning..."