Emporia Main Street's DESIGN programs are run by a committee of volunteers along with Main Street staff. The goal of our design initiatives is to create a vibrant downtown commercial district by enhancing the district's physical and visual assets.
Our design programs work to improve downtown buildings, parking areas, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping. Our design programs also help individual business owners with building design, window display implementation, education, and advice. All design activities are focused on making downtown a welcoming place for residents and visitors, and a place for businesses to thrive.
Additionally, the Design Committee works to preserve the legacy and stories of the Downtown Historic District through a variety of historic preservation activities.
Design Programs
Adopt-a-Garden
Emporia's downtown gardens are all maintained by volunteers. If you love to garden, ask us how you can adopt one!
Historic Tax Credits
If you own property within Downtown Historic District, you may qualify for tax credits on maintenance, upgrades or redevelopment.
Veterans Banners
We honor our heroes every fall with a downtown display of over 200 light pole banners featuring area veterans.
Beyond the Banners
Beyond the Banners is a keepsake book that was created in response to the overwhelming popularity of our Veterans Banner Project.
Other Design Committe Projects
Want to support a vibrant downtown atmosphere?
Our design programs seek to create a pleasant, welcoming environment downtown, which draws shoppers, residents, and visitors. This ultimately benefits not just downtown, but our community as a whole.
Interested in joining the design committee?
The Design Committee perfect for creative types who are willing to their hands dirty, as well those who are interested in or knowledgable about Emporia's history. Click the button below if you'd like to join!
Design Education
Chelsea Lofts Coming To Downtown!
Emporia Main Street Development Group, LLC announced a major new addition to downtown Emporia. The Chelsea Lofts, a new mixed use development containing nearly fifty residential units and 1,500 square feet of commercial space will locate in the 1000 Block of Commercial Street.The “U” shaped development will address Commercial Street with a minimal set back and…
Continue Reading >The Veteran’s Banner Project
All of the Veteran’s Banners are now placed on poles due to the quick work of the City of Emporia Public Works department. Since the public announcement of the Veteran’s Banner Program, Emporia Main Street has been inundated with questions about creating the concept, implementation, hang ups along the way and future plans. Because a lot…
Continue Reading >Is Your Store Visually Appealing?
The Holidays are right around the corner (only 92 days until Christmas, can you believe it?). Is your store ready for 4th quarter? There are some very simple steps you can take to have a clean, visually pleasing store that customers enjoy shopping in! Some of these may seem like common sense, but it’s good…
Continue Reading >Community Development | Lessons Learned From Detroit
When the National Main Street center invited Main Street communities from around the nation attend a National Conference in Detroit, you could almost feel an audible grown. Excitement to attend learning sessions in a city described by the media as dangerous, dilapidated and defunct isn’t something most Main Street staff and volunteers look forward to.…
Continue Reading >Community Initiated Development Plan
We have covered Community Initiated Development in past newsletters. As a brief refresher, the process is what it sounds like: the community initiates the development it wants and needs. In this scenario, we work with community members and property owners to identify properties for redevelopment. Obviously, we would prefer adaptively reusing existing buildings, but occasionally…
Continue Reading >Window Displays that POP!
Window Displays That Pop! Your window displays are your first impression. Do they catch your attention?- By Lauren Woolard Windows are your first chance to make an impression on consumers. Do your displays invite people in? Do they tell a story about your merchandise? If the answer to these questions is “no”, then…
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