The Main Street Approach
The Main Street Approach is a unique preservation-based economic development tool that enables communities to revitalize downtown and neighborhood business districts by leveraging local assets and community pride.
The assets common to all historic commercial districts are heritage and human assets. Heritage assets encompass both built and cultural history. Human assets encompass both entrepreneurs (local/independent owner operators) and an engaged public (locals with a sense of ownership/buy-in).
Approach
The success of the Main Street Approach is based on its comprehensive nature. By carefully integrating four points (Design, Economic Vitality, Organization, and Promotion) into a practical downtown management strategy, a local Main Street program will produce fundamental changes in a community’s economic base.
Economic Vitality
ECONOMIC VITALITY focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.
Design
DESIGN supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart
Promotion
PROMOTION positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.
Organization
ORGANIZATION involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district.
Developing such a strategy takes a knowledgeable team of diverse individuals working together on their downtown and the best way to work together as a team is to use the same playbook, such as this guide from Washington Main Street.
Washington Main Street Communities
As a comprehensive economic development tool, the Main Street Approach® is the foundation many communities in Washington and nationwide use to strengthen their historic downtown and commercial districts.
Here is a list of our Main Street Washington communities:
Aberdeen
Anacortes
Bainbridge
Bellingham
Blaine
Camas
Centralia
Chehalis
Chelan
Chelan
Chinatown-ID
Cle Elum
Colfax
Colville
Coupeville
Dayton
Edmonds
Ellensburg
Everett
Ferndale
Gig Harbor
Issaquah
Kennewick
Kent
Kirkland
LaCrosse
Langley
Moses Lake
Mount Vernon
Oak Harbor
Olympia
Olympia
Pasco
Pioneer Square
Point Roberts
Port Townsend
Prosser
Puyallup
Renton
Ridgefield
Roslyn
Sedro-Wolley
Selah
Snohomish
Stevenson
Sumner
Vancouver
Walla Walla
Wenatchee
Whidbey
Yakima