The Design Committee (DC) plays a key role in shaping the physical image of Main Street as a place that is attractive to shoppers, investors, business owners, and visitors. To succeed, your committee must persuade fiercely independent business and property owners and civic leaders to adopt a specific approach–and an ambitious agenda–for physical improvements to buildings, businesses and public improvements by:

  • Learning about downtown design-to become an “expert” on your district’s distinctive character
  • Holding Meetings-to discuss downtown design issues, develop strategies, brainstorm ideas and incentives
  • Making design recommendations-to help owners make improvements to storefronts signs and window displays
  • Visiting building owners-to talk about their buildings, discuss design assistance, act as a resource during rehab projects, and help them use incentive programs
  • Acting as a liaison– to bring Main Street’s message about good design to building owners, financial institutions, architects, the media and the public
  • Educating others about good design-enhancing the image of each business as well as what it means to downtown’s image and success
  • Providing good design advice-encouraging quality improvements to private properties and public spaces
  • Planning Main Street’s development-guiding future growth and shaping regulations
  • Organizing projects-to develop design guidelines, financial incentives, protective ordinances and downtown planning projects
  • Administering the design review and approval process-to ensure that financial incentive programs are used for design changes.

Focus:

  1. Building Renovations
  2. Physical Improvements
    • Streetscapes
    • Banners
    • Signs
    • Ornamental Decoration
  3. Planning and Zoning
  4. Parking and Transportation
  5. Visual Merchandising
  6. Graphics

Click here to download the Historic Downtown Sheridan Design Guidelines