The Main Street Program

The Main Street Program

The Main Street program is a community-driven approach in which local businesses, organizations and individuals partner with the city to revitalize older business districts.

There is a focus on community, local involvement, and building on the assets that an area already possesses. Development is incremental, looking towards long-term viability and not short-term quick fixes.

Once a community is accepted into the Main Street program both grant money and city and Main Street resources are available to that community. Main Street uses a distinct approach that has been proven effective in communities throughout the country.

The Main Street Four-Point Approach

The four point methodology works to create a total image for the community: Providing the retail/professional area with its necessary market niche, creating a cohesive visual identity unique to the community, and nurturing a cultural ambiance associated with the community’s location, appearance, and way of life. The Main Street Approach gradually builds on existing resources and fosters improved community leadership and support on behalf of the Central Business District for the long term.

Organization is the building of consensus and cooperation between the groups that play a role in the downtown. Many individuals and organizations in the community have a stake in the economic viability of the downtown.

Design involves improving the downtown’s image by improving its physical appearance – not just the appearance of buildings, but also of street lights, window displays, parking areas, signs, sidewalks, streetscapes, landscaping, promotional materials and all other elements that convey a visual message about what the downtown is and what it has to offer.

Promotion involves marketing the downtown’s unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, tourists, and others. Effective promotion creates a positive image of the downtown through retail promotional activity and special events utilizing the downtown as a stage area of community activities.

Economic Restructuring involves strengthening the existing economic base of the downtown while diversifying it. Economic Restructuring activities include helping existing downtown businesses expand, recruiting new businesses, providing a balanced mix, converting unused space into productive property, and sharpening the competitiveness of downtown merchants.

From the City of Orlando Web Site

Learn More

In addition to Audubon Park Garden District there are several other local communities that are a part of Orlando Main Street:
Downtown College Park Partnership
Downtown South
Ivanhoe Village
Mills Fifty

You can visit the following websites to learn more about the Main Street program:

City of Orlando Main Street Program
National Main Street Program