Street Grid Main Street Iowa / Downtown Revitalization Resources

Street Grid is a living file library for Main Street and downtown revitalization organizations to streamline organizational efficiency, springboard planning efforts, and empower advocacy for this grassroots economic development engine. Street Grid also includes a collection of examples, samples and templates. Access the files at Street Grid™ Main Street Iowa Resources

Connecting with the Iowa Downtown Network

Each year, the Iowa Downtown Resource Center hosts two key in-person downtown networking events. The Iowa Downtown Conference is the premier statewide annual conference for professionals and volunteers involved with downtown revitalization in Iowa and neighboring states. The Downtown Conference is traditionally hosted the first week of August.

The Iowa Downtown Resource Center also hosts a series of Downtown Forums annually in four locations across the state. The forums offer downtown and community leaders’ communities the opportunity to collaborate about downtown ideas, successes, and challenges. Iowa Downtown Resource Center staff facilitate discussions relating to downtown revitalization and available grant programs and other resources.

Downtown Design Guide

The Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa created the Downtown Design Guide to assist community stakeholders working on historic commercial district revitalization across the state. The guide can be a great tool for any community interested in preserving and maintaining the historic character of its physical assets while embracing diversity, quality design, sustainability practices and accessibility for all.

Downtown Design Guide [PDF: 16.9MB]

Addressing Problem Properties in Downtown Districts

The appearance, use and safety of downtown districts impact community image, property values, future investments and ultimately, the long-term vitality of communities. A downtown cannot reach its full potential and thrive as a center for living, working and entertainment if nuisance buildings, improperly maintained lots and poor building uses are the focal point. Solutions come with local action. Community leaders must identify challenges and develop ideas, programs and procedures to improve those problem properties.

Additional Resources

Self-Supported Municipal Improvement Districts

A partnership with the University of Iowa, this toolkit encompasses the process of SSMID creation from boundary and budget planning, to methods and process for community outreach, and how to evaluate the success of a SSMID program.

Property Tax Comparison Tool

The goal of this tool is to compare and analyze the value per acre and/or square footage and total property value among several types of properties, including those downtown and those owned by large industries.

Historic Theater Operations Best Practices

Main Street Iowa, a program of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center, and the Community Land Use and Economics Group, LLC have assembled this collection of examples from theaters around the country as a resource for historic theaters in Iowa’s downtowns. It is our hope that this collection will continue to grow as the theaters participating in Main Street Iowa’s historic theater initiative and their partner Main Street programs add their experiences to it.

Historic Theater Operating Tips

Creative Placemaking & Downtown

Ottumwa Better Block Project

Dubuque Better Block Project

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Better Block and the Iowa Arts Council, the Iowa Downtown Resource Center is supporting downtown creative placemaking through trainings, educational opportunities and technical resources.