Main and Elm Street Programs

Main Street

The Main Street Four-Point Approach, developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation is a community-driven, comprehensive methodology used to revitalize older, traditional business districts. It encompasses work in four distinct areas:

Design to enhance the physical appearance of the central business districts by focusing on buildings, parking and transportation, as well as storefront signage;

Promotion to market the unique characteristics to shoppers, investors, new businesses, youths, and other neighborhood residents by focusing on the general image, special events, and retail promotion;

Organization to build consensus and cooperation among those who will be utilizing the real estate along the main street corridor; we also work with other community nonprofits as well as interested residents;

Economic Restructuring to strengthen and diversify the economic base of the main street corridor by developing trade area information, focusing on the retention of existing businesses, and new business recruitment through financial incentives.

Main Street’s Local Economic Success Story. On average, each community experiences. . .

• $9.3 million reinvested
• 39:1 leverage (on investment)
• 72 new businesses
• 384 new jobs
• 95 rehabilitations

Elm Street

The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) developed the Elm Street Program. Its goal is the revitalization of residential corridors that approach the downtown commercial districts. Elm Street follows a five-point approach, similar to the Main Street four-point approach, and encompasses:

Design, to enhance the physical appearance of the Elm Street District by capitalizing on its unique assets and traditional layout including: property inventories, baseline database, survey, facade rehabilitation, public improvement needs, planning and zoning ordinances, and parking and traffic;

Promotion, to market the Elm Street District to potential residents, investors, new businesses, tourists and others by organizing district events, encouraging social interaction, improving the district’s image, and marketing it as both residentially and commercially viable;

Organization, to build consensus and cooperation to create a viable organization, develop partnerships between Main Street/Elm Street community-based organizations, municipality, property owners, and other stakeholders, develop a volunteer base, ensure communication among partners and find ongoing funding support;

Neighborhood Restructuring, to create a balanced environment by strengthening the existing housing stock, diversifying the type and income mix by identifying demographics, establishing structural conditions, strategizing the viability of a district with a mix of commercial, civic, employment and residential uses;

Clean, Safe & Green Activities, to enhance safety, cleanliness and quality of recreational opportunities in the Elm Street District, by assessing level of maintenance, inventory open space and recreational areas, assess crime situation and by developing specific tasks.

We bring abundant experience in neighborhood preservation to the Pennsylvania Elm Street Program.