The Mississippi Main Street Blog

Growing Downtowns

Here are eight framework principles that should guide a community's vision for downtown (adapted from the Downtown Idea Exchange):

1. Increase the density and diversity of land uses.

2. Strengthen the pedestrian experience downtown (Develop interactive maps of downtown).

3. Enhance public amenities along public sites, such as rivers, railroad stations, municipal buildings,etc.

4. Strengthen the connection to the natural environment (Green spaces, light bulbs in trees year-round).

5. Define the entrances to downtown (Branding your downtown with signage is key!).

6. Improve alternative access routes north and south of the highway.

7. Ensure that new infill and redevelopment contain site and architectural elements that reflect the desired character of the community.

8. Identify locations for public art and artistic enhancements.

Five Attitude Adjusters to Compete with Malls

In order to make downtown competitive with malls, downtown business owners and operators need to develop the right attitude, according to the downtown redevelopment plan for Rock Springs, WY (pop. 18,710). The plan says that downtown businesses must:

•     Address the appearance of buildings. Basic improvements, such as sweeping sidewalks and washing windows, create a more attractive downtown.

•     Adopt a positive attitude. If the business owners don't feel that they will succeed, they won't.

•     Provide good service and use this to promote the benefits of shopping downtown.

•     Participate in activities (i.e., festivals and events) that benefit downtown and will bring people downtown.

As a final recommendation, the plan says that the downtown business district should have a theme or logo that represents and characterizes the downtown.

--Adapted from Downtown Idea Exchange

Auburn Urban Design Studio

Bob, Jan, Sam Kaye, AIA, John Poros, Director of the Carl Small Town Center/MSU School of Architecture recently met with Cheryl Morgan, AIA and Director of the Auburn Studio in Birmingham.  The Auburn Urban Studio is doing some great work in Alabama’s small towns and the group from Mississippi is trying to offer something similar in Mississippi.  Although much work must still be done, Cheryl Morgan was gracious enough to give the group a tour of her facility and shared charettes and economic and community development reports from many of the 44 small towns the Studio has worked with.  Since Alabama’s Main Street program is being restructured, the Mississippi group hopes to incorporate the Main Street Approach in the final reports and technical assistance follow up to add to the value of the final reports. You can check out more of the Auburn Design Studio work at www.cadc.auburn.edu/soa/urban-studio .  The Carl Small Town Center has always been an valuable relationship with Mississippi Main Street; however, under Professor Poros’ leadership the Center http://smalltown.sarc.msstate.edu   and Main Street plan on partnering even more in the future to help revitalize Mississippi’s Downtowns.