Design – Virginia Main Street

Onancock “Feels the Vibe” with Downtown Investment Success

August 27, 2025

Downtown Onancock is buzzing with fresh energy, and it’s no accident. The Feel the Vibe project, partially funded by a $45,000 Virginia Main Street (VMS) Downtown Investment Grant, brought together a creative mix of initiatives to attract more people downtown, support entrepreneurs, and enhance the district’s visual appeal. Onancock Main Street (OMS) led the effort, … More Onancock “Feels the Vibe” with Downtown Investment Success

Great Reasons to Transform Downtown Spaces into Fun Places

May 14, 2021

Imagine if your community designed downtown to be a playful place for families, an inviting, interactive place that makes learning about local history fun and encourages lingering for increased spending at restaurants and shops. What would that look like? On Thursday, May 6, the Center for Universal Education and the Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking … More Great Reasons to Transform Downtown Spaces into Fun Places

Harrisonburg Downtown 2040: Engaging Master Planning through Community Input

March 31, 2021

Partnering together, the City of Harrisonburg and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) have launched Harrisonburg Downtown 2040, a community-driven plan for Downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. Throughout 2021, the planning process will unfold, and it will be completed during the fall. As the project gains momentum, members of the community have been invited to envision the next 20 … More Harrisonburg Downtown 2040: Engaging Master Planning through Community Input

The Joy of Pla(y)ce

February 26, 2021

Why would we create places that promote play and engagement through urban design and development? Downtown amenities, such as multipurpose parks and recreational installations, create an engaging place that attracts people every day and most hours of the day. They are an opportunity to connect families, nurture child development, and – what municipalities like to … More The Joy of Pla(y)ce

Activating Outdoor Spaces in Winter

December 4, 2020

While normally Virginians hunker down during the hottest and coldest months, sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic has invigorated within some people a desire to be outside when normally they would have stayed home. Our neighboring Main Street programs in the Northeast, Midwest and Mountain states can offer many ideas that celebrate winter in … More Activating Outdoor Spaces in Winter

Lexington and Gloucester, VA Recognized by Garden Club of Virginia for Innovative Greening of Hardscapes

November 20, 2020

Recently, the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) celebrated urban landscapes at its fall forum, recognizing the Main Street programs of both Gloucester and Lexington, Virginia for their efforts to bring shade, flowers and fresh greenery into historic hardscapes through innovative techniques and plantings. Techniques highlighted by the GCV include: Large-Scale Self-Watering Planters: These planters are … More Lexington and Gloucester, VA Recognized by Garden Club of Virginia for Innovative Greening of Hardscapes

2020 Best Public Improvement Project: St. Paul

October 2, 2020

Spanning seven years and seven blocks, St. Paul finally completed its comprehensive downtown infrastructure project in 2019. Lead by the town, with input from St. Paul Tomorrow’s Design Committee in the early stages, this $16 million project reconstructed the stormwater system, sidewalks, curbing, roadways, crosswalks, water lines and sanitary sewer lines. The need for upgrading … More 2020 Best Public Improvement Project: St. Paul

Spring Rev Ups now a two-part webinar series

March 23, 2020

Due to the COVID-19 limitations, the spring Rev Ups will now be a free, two-part webinar series airing on April 22 and 29, 11 a.m.-noon. Check out details and registration below. A Virginia Main Street Webinar Series Upper Story Housing Development Part 1: Understand the Field – April 22 Part 2: Explore the Opportunities – … More Spring Rev Ups now a two-part webinar series

Refreshing Radford and Making Main Street POP!

February 4, 2020

Reprinted from New River Valley Livability Initiative: http://nrvlivability.org/refreshing-radford-and-making-main-street-pop/ Boosting the curb appeal of local shopping and business districts is a cornerstone of any revitalization effort. Radford businesses are currently sprucing up their storefronts all over The River City by taking advantage of a program that aims to help them do just that. Radford POP! is … More Refreshing Radford and Making Main Street POP!

Webinar – Public Spaces, Community Places

January 29, 2020

Do you know of a vacant lot that could be a joyful gathering place? A blank wall that could be a canvas? A cracked sidewalk that could be a memorable journey through local history? These scenarios envision potential outcomes that uplift and enliven through placemaking. Placemaking inspires people to collectively reinvent public spaces as the … More Webinar – Public Spaces, Community Places