Activate the First 16 Feet
This webinar will help you focus on the area where shared human experiences are most felt and learn small interventions to unlock the energy of the First 16 Feet in your district.
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
Supporting Resilient Main Streets
Climate change and climate change-related disasters are an important and pressing issue: their impacts are harmful, accelerating, and disproportionately harm BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) communities. As of June 2024, 68% of designated Main Street districts are located within census tracts identified as climate vulnerable. We have an urgent need to understand local risks, create plans to mitigate their impacts, and respond to events as they occur.
Created in partnership with the National Parks Service through the Main Street Community Disaster Preparedness and Resilience Program, this publication is designed to help Main Streets and commercial district organizations better prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe disasters.
Plan, Prepare, Respond, and Recover
The Main Street Disaster and Resiliency Toolkit is organized into three sections. Each section provides small steps, incremental advice, and comprehensive guidance to help Main Streets plan, prepare, respond, and recover.
Plan
Part one helps local leaders assess important baseline information for your organizations and communities to avoid duplicating past disaster planning efforts and, most importantly, to find a disaster planning process that suits your Main Street’s current planning needs. Explore here >
Prepare
Part two provides steps you can take now to ensure your community will respond more effectively when a disaster occurs. This section also features activities and best practices on how to alleviate or mitigate future disaster damage and disruptions to Main Streets. Explore here >
Respond and Recover
Part three explores the tools and strategies that communities can utilize following a natural disaster. This includes guidance on how to navigate the recovery process and how to address critical, longer-term rebuilding needs, such as repairing damaged historic resources, restoring small businesses, and renewing social connections. Explore here >
Webinar: How to Use the Toolkit
Montpelier, VT © Katie Trautz, Montpelier Alive
Related Resources
Nature-Based Placemaking
Nature-Based Placemaking uses a community's outdoor recreational assets as a foundation for community transformation.
Franklin, Louisiana © Franklin Main Street
State of Main: Fall 2016
Welcome to the inaugural edition of State of Main, the annual publication of Main Street America featuring thought leadership from across the network.
Determining Main Street Boundaries
Use this resource to guide your efforts to established or re-draw the boundaries of your downtown or neighborhood commercial district. Published by Texas Main Street Program.
Older, Smaller, Better
This study, from the Preservation Green Lab at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, demonstrates the unique and valuable role that older, smaller buildings play in the development of sustainable cities.
AARP Bike Audit
Evaluate the safety and usability of bike networks in your Main Street commercial district. Published by AARP.
Wayfinding Sign System Guide
This guide from Virginia Main Street explores the importance of wayfinding, the components of a custom wayfinding plan, design considerations, and implementation.
Sterling, Illinois. © Sterling Main Street
Creating Outdoor Spaces in Colder Months
Watch this webinar to learn how you can create welcoming and comfortable third spaces and gathering places outdoors during winter cold months.
Construction Mitigation Plan
Construction can be very disruptive for downtown businesses. Use this sample mitigation plan to help you develop your own strategy to assist your downtown businesses during a construction project. Published by Cumberland Main Street.
Downtown Design Guide
This guide from Main Street Alabama explores how design relates to urban planning, construction, storefronts, existing assets, public space, art, and building codes.
Commercial District Design: Open Streets and Design
In this AARP guide, learn how open streets projects and other design elements can improve downtown design and create vibrant and sustainable communities.
Commercial District Design: Public Amenities
In this AARP guide, learn how public amenities can help build richer, more connected, and more sustainable communities.
Commercial District Design: Parklets and Pedlets
In this AARP guide, learn how small parklets and pedlets can provide vibrant gathering spaces and improve sense of place in your downtown.
Commercial District Design: Trails and Parks
In this AARP guide, learn how access to trails and parks can enhance downtown commercial district revitalization efforts.
State of Main: Winter 2019
With articles written by industry experts on topics ranging from the transformative placemaking to inclusive entrepreneurship, the publication is brimming with tools, tips, and strategies that will help you lead a results-oriented revitalization effort.
Navigating Main Streets as Places
Guidance on how to evaluate streets, balance transportation needs, and build partnerships with other leaders.
Activating the Main Street Approach through Placemaking
Learn how placemaking principles can be utilized as an implementation strategy of local Main Street efforts to empower community members and create more action-oriented programs
Metuchen, NJ © Lauren Beischer
Designing for Health & Wellbeing Supports Community Prosperity
A look at the connection between the wellbeing of residents and the vitality of communities and explore the wide range of design elements and tools available that will lead to more active, accessible and connected Main Streets. Published in State of Main.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards
Use these accessibility standards to guide you as you make accessibility upgrades in your community. Published by US Access Board.
Chicago, Illinois © Max Bender
Building a Path toward Clean Water and Vibrant Communities
Effective stormwater management is an important element of many streetscaping plans to reduce pollution of your drinking water and other community benefits. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
Green Streets in Iowa
Learn about Iowa’s exciting sustainability initiative and the ways two small towns are becoming more green. Published in Main Street Now Journal.
