Main Streeters are pretty famous for always being on the job. When we are on vacation, are we really on vacation? No! We are scoping out that location for great ideas that we can steal for our community. Find something that works and duplicate, right?
Here is a sampling of some of our favorite place(making) pictures from the past year:
Murals should reflect the community. Lancaster, PA has a strong colonial era history, while Atlanta is cultivating a hip vibe.
Sidewalk art can create a sense of place (Petersburg, VA on left) and can be interactive (Lancaster, PA on right). If you have a family-friendly, family-serving strategy, please steal this idea!!
Pocket Parks come in many shapes and forms. In Lancaster, PA (yes, I spent a long weekend there this summer), this courtyard is tucked away but easily accessible from their Main Street. Simple lighting, murals, shade, tables and chairs create a great place to grab lunch or a sip your coffee. In Lynchburg, VA, a narrow strip along the sidewalk on Church Street is transformed into a vibrant, fun spot to take a break.
Entrepreneurial placemaking is happening in Asheville, NC, where permanent vendor stalls line some of the streets allowing entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and adding to the dynamic streetscape. In Farmville, VA, one merchant caters to parents by creating a spot for kids to read, play and generally be engaged while their parents shop.
Charlottesville and Winchester prove that small projects can be beautifying. A flat facade is made dynamic through a simple, coordinating paint palette, and utility boxes serve double duty by adding wraps that highlight the history of the area, as well as a map of the walking mall in Winchester.
If you have great pictures of place making from your vacation, we want to see them! Send them to mainstreet@dhcd.virginia.gov, so we can share them with our network. And, if you duplicate any of these ideas, let us know!
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