deCoding Downtown
This guide from Main Street Alabama identifies the ways that municipal regulations can be used to support downtown transformation efforts with an emphasis on zoning and building codes.
Metuchen, New Jersey © Richard Alfonzo Photography
Featured Resource
Explore Handbook
People-Centered Design Handbook
Use this handbook to learn how to implement a people-centered design process that supports small businesses, promotes a vibrant community, and creates a strong sense of place.
Cleveland, Ohio © PapaBear/iStock
Browse Resources
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.
Anatomy of a Main Street Building
This slideshow provides an introductory overview of the history of Main Street buildings, common architectural features, signage, and preservation guidelines. Published by Indiana Main Street.
Preserving African American Historic Places
Creating a welcoming and inclusive downtown means you need to understand the rich cultural histories of your historic assets. This guide from the National Trust for Historic Preservation explores strategies to preserve sites of African American history
The Greenest Building
This groundbreaking study concludes that building reuse almost always offers environmental savings over demolition and new construction.
Fire Safety in Historic Buildings
As you work with property owners to develop historic structures for retail, housing, and other uses, it is important to understand the necessary fire safety upgrades you need to make. Handbook published by National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Washington, DC © Lori Feinman
A Layperson’s Guide to Historic Preservation Law
This guide from the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides an overview of the laws you need to understand to support the historic buildings in your downtown district.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
Guidelines on Flood Adaptation for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings
Main Street communities can use these guidelines to increase the flood resiliency of their historic downtown assets. Published by National Park Service.
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.
Main Street Facades
It is important for Main Streets to understanding the architectural features of their historic assets. This hand-out provides an introductory overview of different façade elements like windows, transoms, columns, and awnings. Published by Nebraska Main Street Network.
Tax Credits 101
National Trust for Historic Preservation experts share how non-profits can use tax credits to protect historic buildings and community assets.
The Main Street Approach Design Handbook
A handbook on how urban design principles can be used to improve economic development, placemaking, safety, and community.
Featured Resource
Explore Publication
The Impact of Your Assets
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.
Biddeford, Maine © Notice Pictures/Main Street America
Latest News & Stories
Main Spotlight: Breaking Barriers to Acquiring Commercial Properties
Creating real change in business ownership starts with local communities leading the way, backed by strong partnerships and collaborations.
Main Spotlight: Building Partnerships for Main Street Success
Learn how Main Street America's work with the DOT's Thriving Communities Program is supporting transformative efforts with community partners like the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe.
Main Spotlight: How to Rehabilitate a Historic Building
Becky Axilbund, Executive Director at Main Street Middletown, MD Inc., shares lessons learned from their renovation of two downtown buildings.
Staff Spotlight: Celebrating Historic Preservation on Main Street
For Preservation Month, Senior Program Officer Lisa Mullins Thompson explores why preservation matters and how Main Streets can celebrate and protect their historic assets.
Nevada, Iowa © Main Street America
Main Spotlight: Stories of Hawaiian Heritage in Vancouver, Washington
At Fort Vancouver in Vancouver, Washington, Native Hawaiians played a critical role in the success of the Hudson Bay Company. Today, Vancouver’s Hawaiian history and heritage plays a crucial role in efforts to reenergize the city’s historic downtown.
Main Street and Preservation Policy: Understanding the Advisory Council on Historic Preservations Report on Federal Historic Preservation Standards
Understanding the Advisory Council on Historic Preservations report on federal historic preservation standards.
Toccoa, GA © Steph Maley
Watch: How Delta Dirt Distillery is Adding Spirit to Main Street Helena, Arkansas
In this video, learn more about the Williams’ family story, how the business is helping to revive downtown Helena, and the impact they’re having on a national level.
Main Spotlight: Building Upon a Civil Rights Legacy in Albany, Georgia
Learn how Albany, Georgia, recognizes their civil rights legacy and supports the African American community today.
Community Spotlight: Flood Recovery in Barre and Montpelier, Vermont
Kathy LaPlante shares her experiences visiting Vermont communities during their recovery from devastating floods.
© Tripp Muldrow
Main Spotlight: Getting Ready for the Unexpected with the Main Street Disaster Preparedness Toolkit
In honor of National Disaster Preparedness Month, we are providing some practical steps that Main Streets can take to prepare for the next, inevitable disaster.
© Adog
Main Spotlight: How Main Streets Can Preserve Historic Neon Signs
Learn the historic and cultural significance of neon signs, and strategies that Main Streets can use to preserve these unique assets.
A Match Made on Main Street: Channeling Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Dollars to Small-Scale Deals
Main Street America is leading a coalition urging that the EPA make available the GGRF funds for adaptive reuse and location-efficient projects because of the substantial greenhouse gas emissions reduction offered by such developments.
