Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams
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Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street
Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.
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Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo
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Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street
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Construction can be extremely disruptive for downtown businesses. It can be difficult for Main Street programs to communicate the long term benefits of these projects, and it is important to have a robust mitigation plan to protect your downtown businesses from lost revenue during the upheaval. This mitigation plan from Cumberland Main Street in Maryland shows how you can open a dialogue with small business owners before a construction project. It includes an explanation of the project, ideas to help businesses throughout the project, and lots of space for business owners to take notes and bring up additional questions. When you face your next construction project, you can use this example to guide you as you create your own communication and mitigation strategies.
Published by Cumberland Main Street.
Based on Main Street America's experience with the Thriving Communities Program, this toolkit provides actionable guidance and resources to help communities succeed with ambitious and impactful transportation projects.
Learn how you can use transportation infrastructure as a tool for community transformation.
Hear real-world insights and stories from Main Street leaders who have faced crises and discover how collective action can protect and preserve our shared spaces on Main Street.
This publication is designed to help Main Streets and commercial district organizations better prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe disasters.
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
This webinar will help you focus on the area where shared human experiences are most felt and learn small interventions to unlock the energy of the First 16 Feet in your district.
Nature-Based Placemaking uses a community's outdoor recreational assets as a foundation for community transformation.
Franklin, Louisiana © Franklin Main Street
Welcome to the inaugural edition of State of Main, the annual publication of Main Street America featuring thought leadership from across the network.
Use this resource to guide your efforts to established or re-draw the boundaries of your downtown or neighborhood commercial district. Published by Texas Main Street Program.
This study, from the Preservation Green Lab at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, demonstrates the unique and valuable role that older, smaller buildings play in the development of sustainable cities.
Evaluate the safety and usability of bike networks in your Main Street commercial district. Published by AARP.
This guide from Virginia Main Street explores the importance of wayfinding, the components of a custom wayfinding plan, design considerations, and implementation.
Sterling, Illinois. © Sterling Main Street
Watch this webinar to learn how you can create welcoming and comfortable third spaces and gathering places outdoors during winter cold months.
This guide from Main Street Alabama explores how design relates to urban planning, construction, storefronts, existing assets, public space, art, and building codes.
In this AARP guide, learn how open streets projects and other design elements can improve downtown design and create vibrant and sustainable communities.
In this AARP guide, learn how public amenities can help build richer, more connected, and more sustainable communities.
In this AARP guide, learn how small parklets and pedlets can provide vibrant gathering spaces and improve sense of place in your downtown.
In this AARP guide, learn how access to trails and parks can enhance downtown commercial district revitalization efforts.
With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the transformative placemaking to inclusive entrepreneurship, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
Guidance on how to evaluate streets, balance transportation needs, and build partnerships with other leaders.
Learn how placemaking principles can be utilized as an implementation strategy of local Main Street efforts to empower community members and create more action-oriented programs
Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer
A look at the connection between the wellbeing of residents and the vitality of communities and explore the wide range of design elements and tools available that will lead to more active, accessible and connected Main Streets. Published in State of Main.
Use these accessibility standards to guide you as you make accessibility upgrades in your community. Published by US Access Board.
Chicago, Illinois © Max Bender
Effective stormwater management is an important element of many streetscaping plans to reduce pollution of your drinking water and other community benefits. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Learn about Iowa’s exciting sustainability initiative and the ways two small towns are becoming more green. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Downtown Florence, South Carolina © True Light Photography
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