The Main Street Four Point Approach was conceived in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C., and tested in three pilot locations throughout the United States. In 1985, the Iowa Legislature adopted the National Main Street Center's approach to downtown revitalization by approving the establishment of Main Street Iowa within the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The mission of the Main Street Iowa Program is to improve the social and economic well-being of Iowa's communities by assisting selected communities to capitalize on the unique identity, assets and character of their downtown area. Main Street is economic development within the context of historic preservation.
THE MAIN STREET APPROACHBusiness Improvement -- This element involves diversifying the downtown economy by identifying potential market niches, finding new uses for vacant or underused spaces and improving business practices.
Design -- Utilizing appropriate design concepts, the visual quality of the downtown (buildings, signs, window displays, landscaping, and environment) is enhanced.
Organization -- Each community has many groups of people who are interested in and are willing to work toward the goal of a revitalized downtown. The organizational element brings together the public sector, private groups and individual citizens, with coordination by a paid program manager, to work more effectively in the downtown.
Promotion -- By promoting the downtown in a positive manner, a community can begin to focus on downtown as a source of community pride, social activity and economic development potential.From one end of the state to another, Iowa is alive with the Main Street spirit.
Currently, there are 39 active Main Street communities in Iowa. We are proud
to recommend these towns as vibrant places to do business, live and visit.
To learn more about Main Street Iowa, visit their web site at: http://www.iowalifechanging.com/community/mainstreetiowa/