What does it mean to be a Main Street Organization?
Main Street America is a powerful network of downtown commercial districts as part of the national movement of the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and is the leading voice for preservation-based economic development and community revitalization across the country.
The Main Street movement grew out of a recognition that a community is only as strong as its core. In an era when many people had given up hope about the commercial and cultural viability of downtown, and when suburbs, shopping malls, and big box retailers were dominating the American landscape, this seemed like an unlikely proposition. But, over the last four decades, the Main Street movement has proven that downtowns are the heart of our communities and investment in their revitalization is key to the health of a community.
What do Main Street Organizations do?
Main Street revitalization programs build community, support local businesses, and create an attractive and vibrant environment for workers, visitors, and residents. Oregon’s Main Streets follow the renowned Main Street Four-Point Approach™, ensuring that local programs apply a balanced approach toward community transformation. The approach focuses on creating an inviting and inclusive atmosphere (Design), building leadership and strong organizational capacity (Organization), marketing a district’s defining assets (Promotion), and building a diverse economic base (Economic Vitality).
This approach provides a successful framework that helps communities achieve comprehensive and incremental approaches towards enhancing, improving, and preserving historic downtowns while honoring each Main Street’s unique history and qualities.
Merwyn Apartments (before/after) won an Oregon Main Street Excellence on Main Award for Outstanding Downtown Housing
How does being a Main Street Organization help Astoria?
Astoria is one of ten performing Main Street Organizations in Oregon. By strengthening our community networks, bolstering the local economy, generating fiscal impacts, and fostering social connections across the state, the Oregon Main Street Network continues to be a vital tool for preserving, sustaining, and enhancing downtown Astoria.
The quantifiable economic, fiscal and community impacts of Oregon Main Street reach the far corners of the state, benefitting rural areas and empowering communities to become more resilient, sustainable and to thrive on their own terms. To find out more about the Main Street Approach and its impacts, including information provided above, please download the 2022 Oregon Main Street Impact Report and visit www.mainstreet.org.
Why ADHDA is proud to be a Main Street Organization.
Like Main Street, ADHDA believes that everyone deserves access to a vibrant neighborhood – a place that has a thriving local economy, is creative in character, and features inclusive public spaces that make residents and visitors feel that they belong. As an organization we can’t do this alone – being part of Main Street gives us the support and inspiration we need to connect with others that care for their communities just as much.
Astoria Odd Fellows (before/after)