Entertainment districts in Wisconsin
Entertainment districts, also known as Outdoor Refreshment Areas or Open Container Districts, have existed in many states for decades but are relatively new in Wisconsin. Read More
Successful events during the pandemic
Creating a sense of normalcy and bringing the community together has always been an important goal for the Main Street districts around Wisconsin, but the lingering threat of COVID-19, has posed continuing difficulties for hosting events. Nevertheless, communities are doing their best to host events with social distancing and safety modifications in place, and
Issues and solutions for parking on Main Street
More often than not, parking issues in downtown districts stem from one or more of the following: confusion about available parking; abuses and enforcement; and physical condition and design. Here are solutions to those issues. Read More
Creating memorable events
Local events have an outsized influence on the perception and imagination of residents and visitors to the district. Creating memorable experiences for an hour, evening or weekend leaves people wanting more. Read More
Getting started with Main Street
What it means to be a Wisconsin Main Street community. Read More
Creating a dementia-friendly physical environment
Many communities are working to make their buildings and streetscapes more navigable for people with dementia. Here are some of the ways that communities and businesses are making physical changes to become more dementia-friendly. Read More
Alleys as a business amenity
In many communities demolition of nearby buildings or creation of new parking lots, have exposed previously hidden facades, yet these spaces lack any aesthetic appeal to welcome customers. Unlike the front façade, visual improvements in ancillary spaces can achieve a dramatic impact at little cost. Read More
Activating alleys and service areas on Main Street
Not all alley renovations involve costly makeovers. There are many examples where the programming of the spaces made them destinations, rather than physical improvements. For instance, Buckham Alley in Flint, Michigan. Back in 2011, in an effort to attract pedestrian traffic to the businesses located alongside this downtown alley, local residents organized a one-day music festival called the Buckham Alley Fest. In that first year, they had nine bands, fifty vendors, and nearly 1,500 attendees. Read More
Transforming alleys and service areas on Main Street
In nearly every historic commercial district, there are two sides: the “public face”, which includes the storefront, the streetscape, and most of the activity; and the “behind-the-scenes area”, which includes the back alleys, utilities, and delivery zones. But more and more, these behind the-scenes spaces are being transformed into vibrant, active, public spaces, often for very little cost. And the great thing is, the “unfinished” or “gritty” appearance of these areas actually creates a perfect backdrop for the types of activities often held within them. Read More
Transforming unseen infrastructure into community assets
Too often, community enhancement conversations start with a conversation about elements that are perceived to be missing. For example, discussions might center on how to fund a new pool, splash pad, bike rack or parking lots—but seldom do these conversations include an assessment of the utility of existing infrastructure: How are the existing streetscape and built infrastructure performing? What is the potential for past investments to evolve and reflect current needs? Can we get more use out of these items before we add something new? It is all too easy to overlook the existing infrastructure, but as the examples below prove, examining it with fresh eyes can result in unexpected and impactful projects. Read More