Kudos to Rawlins, Wyoming; Milledgeville, Georgia; and the H Street NE corridor in Washington, D.C., all places that author Patrice Frey writes in the August PM article “Revitalization and Main Street Transformation” are successful because of long-term, strategic, tactical growth and management.

Frey, chief executive officer of the National Main Street Center, also gives praise to three vibrant downtowns that used a revitalized strategy that works in the cities of  Lake City, Colorado; Woodbine, Iowa; and Birmingham, Alabama.

She notes that successful placement management and transformation can be achieved through work across these four areas:

1. Development of targeted economic development strategies that improve the mix and vitality of downtown businesses, cultural institutions, and housing.
2. The pursuit of quality design, including improving transit accessibility and walkability, as well as building rehabilitation and façade improvements.
3. Marketing of the district, including the development of a distinct branding and programming for the area to attract shoppers and visitors.
4. The successful development of a professionally managed downtown organization—whether that entity is housed with a city or county, or is a stand-alone nonprofit.

For specific details on main street revitalization, see the August issue of PM magazine.