Empty store fronts are a drag on Main Street. They break up the flow of the Main Street commercial district, and studies show that they discourage shoppers from exploring downtown. But, what can be done? Well, how about turning empty store fronts into canvases for local artists? Check out this video to see the artistic … More South Boston paints its empty store fronts
Cityworks (X)po, a conference and festival about creating energetic places in small cities, will take place in Roanoke on October 27-30. The event, spearheaded by entrepreneur and placemaker Ed Walker, will highlight best practices in creating, governing and participating in a vibrant cultural life in small cities. Some of the nationally-recognized speakers and performers include James Howard Kunstler, Kennedy … More Small City Placemaking Conference and Festival to happen in Roanoke
Main Street efforts are already bringing together economic, social and environmental goals in pursuit of fostering quality in their communities. To push it a step futher, 70 participants gathered in Staunton in July for two days of conversation on and the examination of sustainability models in Virginia. Speakers included Andrea Dono of the National Trust for … More Sustainable Main Street resources available
Five Designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) Communities have been awarded 2011 Downtown Improvment Grants. This year, VMS communities served by CSX Transportation rail lines were eligible for a match of up to $5,000 from the corporation, pushing the awards from $2,500 to a total of $7,500. Waynesboro and Winchester will receive CSX Transportation VMS Downtown Improvement Grants. Communities … More Downtown Improvement Grants Awarded
Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway is now open. The facility welcomes visitors to the region and connects lifelong residents with the artisans and musicians that surround them in the 19-county region of Southwest Virginia. Perched on a knoll adjacent to I-81 on the campus of Abingdon’s Virginia Highlands Community College, the unique structure, by Roanoke’s Spectrum Design, should attract curious … More Heartwood opens doors as regional gateway
Sustainability is more than a code word for environmental stewardship. Going well beyond the “greening” of individual buildings and recycling, it’s a comprehensive strategy that can foster vibrancy in a community today while ensuring that resources are available for tomorrow’s needs. But just how can communities care for their corner of the world and its … More Online Registration Now Open for Sustainability Toolkit
Kathy Frazier of Frazier Associates loads her presentations with lots of great pictures, and her shots of simple tips to make your downtown look its best really brought her May 2011 webinar to life. If you or your design committee missed “The Downtown Spring Spruce-Up,” don’t worry, you can catch it in reruns. Watch the full webinar here. If … More “Downtown spruce-up” webinar available online
The creative spirit of the Downtown Staunton community is driving a playful public engagement strategy around the restoration of the Sears Hill Bridge. The pedestrian bridge, which had linked the Sears Hill neighborhood and Downtown Staunton for more than 100 years, was condemned in January 2010. Restoration of the bridge will cost about $200,000, and the community is pulling together to make … More Staunton rallies for the Sears Hill Bridge
Waynesboro Florist has been a downtown staple for 45 years, and owner Webber Payne says he can’t imagine the store being anywhere else. “We benefit from the foot traffic downtown,” he says, “and we add to it as well.” Webber Payne grew up in the family business, which has survived economic cycles, changes in the regional industrial base, and even a 1978 … More Main Street merchant profile: Waynesboro Florist’s Webber Payne
In 2010, the Staunton Downtown Development Association (SDDA) received one of two community projects that took advantage of Virginia Main Street’s recent Downtown Improvement Grants to fund identity banners. (We took a look at the Culpeper’s banner project in the January 13 blog post.) Before the grant, Staunton had a priority-based budget and the funds to only place the banners in part of … More Staunton completes banner project
Virginia Main Street 