Design

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