Main Street Disaster and Resilience Toolkit
This publication is designed to help Main Streets and commercial district organizations better prepare for and respond to more frequent and severe disasters.
Marion, IA © Uptown Marion
“Good transportation systems connect people to the jobs, education, and community supports that enable them to prosper and advance economically.”
A Smart Investment
District leaders know restoring and supporting our districts’ economic vitality requires years of work and a deep understanding of the many factors that play a role in the overall success of the district. Since transportation design in commercial districts provides a crucial foundation to these efforts — affecting foot traffic, what businesses can and cannot do, flows of private and public investment, property values, and tourism — Main Street leaders should support the most efficient use of their transportation systems as part of achieving sustainable economic vitality.
The key is to create and support people-oriented streets that mitigate suboptimal development patterns and the need for expensive infrastructure, increase walkability, and encourage investment and entrepreneurship, all with the goal of a harmonious, safe, and cost-effective balance of people’s and vehicular needs.
Car-oriented roadways and streetscapes can create negative costs:
- Taxpayer costs for creation and maintenance of expanding roadways and infrastructure
- Excessive parking
People-focused Main Streets reap more economic benefits:
- Increased visitation
- Increased spending in the district
- Retention of current residents and attraction of new residents
- Individual economic opportunity
- Entrepreneur investment and support
- Small businesses support
Resources
- American Public Transportation Association — Public Transportation Benefits
- Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Center for Transformative Placemaking and Project for Public Spaces — Opportunities for Transformative Placemaking: Chattanooga Innovation District, Tennessee
- Barret, Laura Marie (Medium) — Placemaking in Economic Development
- Bent, Elizabeth and Singha, Krute (Transportation Research Board) — Modal Choices and Spending Patterns of Travelers to Downtown San Francisco: Impacts of Congestion Pricing on Retail Trade
- Hadden Loh, Tracy and Leinberger, Christopher (Brookings Institute) — The Economic Power of Walkability in Metro Areas
- Main Street America
- Mattson-Tieg, Beth (Urban Land Magazine) — Calculating the Cost of Excess Parking in Transit-Oriented Developments
- Michigan Municipal League — A Decade of Placemaking in Michigan
- Minicozzi, Joseph (Planetizen) — The Smart Math of Mixed-Use Development
- National Trust for Historic Preservation — Untapped Potential: Strategies for Revitalization and Reuse
- New York City Department of Transportation — The Economic Benefits of Sustainable Streets
- Project for Public Spaces — 8 Placemaking Principles for Innovation Districts
- Quednau, Rachel (Strong Towns)
- Schmitt, Angie (StreetsBlog USA) — Study: High-Traffic Arterial Roads Reduce Quality of Life, Even Blocks Away
- Sisson, Patrick (Curbed) — Why Building Walkable Cities is the Key to Economic Success
- Smart Growth America
- Temkin, Jenna (Brookings Institute) — How a rural Virginian town is using entrepreneurship to boost its local economy
- Victoria Transport Policy Institute — Streetscape Improvements: Enhancing Urban Roadway Design
Have a resource you’d like to add? Please fill out this form.
Related Resources
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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.
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
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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.
