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.
Downloads
Masterclass Series
The Navigating Main Streets as Places: A People-First Transportation Toolkit “masterclass” webinar series dives into the content of the handbook through interactive questions, knowledge sharing, and question and answer sessions. Each webinar will provide guidance for Main Street leaders, community advocates, local officials, transportation professionals, and everyone else in between on how to:
- Evaluate streets and transportation through the lens of placemaking;
- Balance the needs of mobility and other street activities;
- Build stronger relationships with other decision-makers and the community.
View each webinar below and please provide your feedback by filling out a short survey here.
An Introduction to the Toolkit
This Introductory webinar explores how the toolkit came to be, how the toolkit content is relevant to today’s Main Street communities, and provides an overview of what is to come in the three following webinars. This provides viewers a base of information for the following three webinars and how they can be involved throughout the process. In addition to viewing the webinar, we encourage you to complete this brief assignment.
Transportation Matters for Main Streets
The second webinar of the Navigating Main Streets as Places series explains why transportation and streets matter for commercial districts by examining their potential costs and benefits across key areas: equity, safety, health, economic vitality, environmental sustainability, and community.
The Nuts and Bolts of People-First Streets
Our third “masterclass” installment focuses on 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, vehicular traffic, and parking. We offer recommendations for infrastructure, programming strategies, and policy solutions. Along with a robust community process, these recommendations can be adapted and used to inspire your projects, to share as examples with fellow stakeholders, and to create the foundation for streets.
Building a Better Street Together
Our final installment focuses on how to put the knowledge and tools presented in the handbook into action through an intentional process of building knowledge, building partnerships, and then building a plan that is reflective of a community’s needs and capabilities. This webinar provides actionable steps on how to assess your street conditions, engage your community, and create collective buy-in around your revitalization planning, projects, and programs.
Related Resources
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.
