Streetscape Design & Pedestrian Network
Learn how to create a more vibrant, engaging, and connected Main Street.
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Building a Foundation
Creating streets for people requires an understanding of the various components that directly and indirectly relate to commercial district transportation planning and design. Equipped with this knowledge, Main Street leaders can better advocate for design elements, programming strategies, and policies that support people-first streets and improve their ability to communicate with local community partners and transportation officials.
Chapter 2 delves into the nuts and bolts of various elements that directly impact the quality of Main Street transportation networks in the areas of streetscape and pedestrian design, managing traffic, and parking, and concludes with a section on potential funding sources. Along with a robust community process, these elements can be adapted and used to inspire your projects, to share as examples with fellow stakeholders, and to create the foundation for streets that positively impact people, place, and the economy.
Explore Sections
Managing Traffic
Learn how to effectively manage all modes of vehicular traffic.
Smart Parking
Learn the basics of parking from types and uses to policies and programming.
Case Studies
Potential Funding Sources
Public Funding:
- Bond issues ask voters to approve or disapprove proposed municipal spending, which could be used to fund streetscape and infrastructure projects.
- General revenue funds are unassigned municipal dollars that could be used to fund streetscape and infrastructure projects.
- Special taxing districts, such as Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), levy a tax on the property owners who most directly benefit, which is then used to fund various projects in the district boundaries, including streetscape and infrastructure. In some states, BIDs can use some of their revenue to secure bonds.
- Tax-increment financing (TIF) allocates future increases in tax revenue to pay for improvements.
- Special sales or food and lodging taxes are additional taxes on specific goods, food, or lodging that are intended to capture tourist and visitor dollars to be used for community projects.
- State-funded loans and grants from state agencies like the Department of Commerce, the Department of Economic Development, or the Department of Transportation, are often put toward streetscape and infrastructure projects.
- Federal grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Highway Administration, etc. can also be applied to local streetscape and infrastructure projects.
Private Funding:
- Grants from national, state, and local foundations can fund staff time, iterative interventions, or provide match for local, state, and federal government funds.
- Donations for the purchase of items such as pavers, benches, or plantings cover the costs of specific budget line items.
- Crowdfunding describes generally smaller donations from community members, usually gathered via online platform like ioby [link to ioby.org] or Patronicity [link to patronicity.com].
- In-kind donations like paint, lumber, or time serve as in-kind funding, meaning they support the work through non-financial means.
Funding Resources:
- American Society of Landscape Architects — The Park(ing) Day Manual
- Ioby
- Main Street America
- Open Streets Project — Funding Your Program
- Patronicity
- San Francisco Planning — Public Space Stewardship Guide: A toolkit for funding, programming and maintenance
- Schneider, Benjamin (CityLab) — How Park(ing) Day Went Global
Related Resources
State of Main: Fall 2016
Welcome to the inaugural edition of State of Main, the annual publication of Main Street America featuring thought leadership from across the network.
State of Main: Winter 2019
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.
Determining Main Street Boundaries
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.
Older, Smaller, Better
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.
AARP Bike Audit
Evaluate the safety and usability of bike networks in your Main Street commercial district. Published by AARP.
Wayfinding Sign System Guide
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
Creating Outdoor Spaces in Colder Months
Watch this webinar to learn how you can create welcoming and comfortable third spaces and gathering places outdoors during winter cold months.
Construction Mitigation Plan
Construction can be very disruptive for downtown businesses. Use this sample mitigation plan to help you develop your own strategy to assist your downtown businesses during a construction project. Published by Cumberland Main Street.
Downtown Design Guide
This guide from Main Street Alabama explores how design relates to urban planning, construction, storefronts, existing assets, public space, art, and building codes.
Anti-Racism Resources
As community organizations, it is important for Main Streets to stand against racism and bigotry. This toolkit is designed to give you an understanding of the history of our country, the key tenants of allyship, and the ways that your organization can help reduce injustice.
Richmond, CA © Ellen Gailing
Commercial District Design: Open Streets and Design
In this AARP guide, learn how open streets projects and other design elements can improve downtown design and create vibrant and sustainable communities.
Commercial District Design: Public Amenities
In this AARP guide, learn how public amenities can help build richer, more connected, and more sustainable communities.
Commercial District Design: Parklets and Pedlets
In this AARP guide, learn how small parklets and pedlets can provide vibrant gathering spaces and improve sense of place in your downtown.
Commercial District Design: Trails and Parks
In this AARP guide, learn how access to trails and parks can enhance downtown commercial district revitalization efforts.
Navigating Main Streets as Places
Guidance on how to evaluate streets, balance transportation needs, and build partnerships with other leaders.
Activating the Main Street Approach through Placemaking
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
Designing for Health & Wellbeing Supports Community Prosperity
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.
Best Parking Practices for Your Main Street
Parking planning is an important part of creating welcoming and usable public spaces. This webinar provides a primer on the best practices you should consider as you plan the parking strategy for your downtown or neighborhood commercial district.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards
Use these accessibility standards to guide you as you make accessibility upgrades in your community. Published by US Access Board.
Chicago, Illinois © Max Bender
Building a Path toward Clean Water and Vibrant Communities
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.
Green Streets in Iowa
Learn about Iowa’s exciting sustainability initiative and the ways two small towns are becoming more green. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
