Category: Downtown

Comparing Main Street Districts and Local Big Box Stores

April 15, 2014

Mapping the Commonwealth recently created a series of photos that overlay ten historic commercial districts (most of them Virginia Main Street districts) with the community’s local big box stores and parking lots. These photos are interesting for several reasons. They help illustrate why the local historic commercial district is so financially valuable to a community. … More Comparing Main Street Districts and Local Big Box Stores

Crowdfunding Main Street

April 9, 2014

In many communities, someone from out of town who is interested in starting a new business can turn to the local Main Street organization for help. The local Main Street organization can often provide square footage, rent and utility costs and introductions to owners of vacant and available storefronts. They can introduce the potential business owner to … More Crowdfunding Main Street

Entire block of Bristol’s Main Street district to become boutique hotel

February 10, 2014

Over the next 18 months, an entire block of Bristol’s Main Street district will be transformed into a destination hospitality complex centered around a new 70-room luxury boutique hotel called the Sessions Hotel. The project by Creative Boutique Hotels (CBH), which includes Hal Craddock, Cornerstone Hospitality and MB Contractors, will span nearly the entire 800 … More Entire block of Bristol’s Main Street district to become boutique hotel

Major construction projects in Virginia’s Main Street districts

January 22, 2014

Designated Virginia Main Street communities have seen more than $741 millions of private investment since 1985. Private investment on Main Street ranges from the replacement of awnings or a new door to multi-million dollar rehabilitation or construction projects. In 2013, major construction projects added or will soon add new commercial, residential, educational and entertainment venues … More Major construction projects in Virginia’s Main Street districts

What is Main Street Worth?

November 19, 2013

The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service estimates that in Virginia real property taxes make up an average 57.8 percent of local revenue for cities and 31.2 percent for large towns. How significant a contributor is your Main Street district to this revenue stream? Joseph Minicozzi, the principal of Urban3 LLC, argues in a post on … More What is Main Street Worth?

Main Street Matters contest

June 5, 2013

Benjamin Moore is currently holding the “Main Street Matters” contest where they will paint 20 Main streets across the U.S. and Canada. On the “Main Street Matters” website, it is stated that Benjamin Moore will be completing all of the projects throughout the next year with the help of local Benjamin Moore retailers and painting contractors. … More Main Street Matters contest

Believe in Bristol Opens Downtown Entrepreneur Ideaspace

January 10, 2013

   While caught up in the details of drafting board by-laws, choosing downtown bench designs, training volunteers or coordinating downtown merchant coffee hours, it is easy for Main Street board and committee members and staff to forget that the primary goal of the Main Street organization is the economic redevelopment and revitalization of the local … More Believe in Bristol Opens Downtown Entrepreneur Ideaspace

Winchester’s Main Street agriculture event was a success, as expected!

January 3, 2013

On Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, Winchester’s downtown walking mall was filled with excitement for local farms. Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Winchester Old Town Development Board, Winchester Main Street Foundation and Virginia Main Street program, produced an extraordinary community event, Winchester’s Main Street Agriculture, held on the historic Loudon Street Pedestrian Mall. The partnership … More Winchester’s Main Street agriculture event was a success, as expected!

Fixing Up Public Spaces On The Cheap

September 26, 2012

The renovation of large public spaces requires the investment of financial and human resources that may not be possible in all communities or justified for all public spaces. However, the “lighter, quicker and cheaper” approach advocated by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS) is an affordable way to start bringing life back to neglected public spaces, with … More Fixing Up Public Spaces On The Cheap