Main Street Alabama

Excellence in Building Design Award shout out! Old Black Bear Brewing Company expanded its brewing operation and opened its second location in Athens, becoming the city's first brewer. The company purchased an abandoned, dilapidated warehouse off the downtown square and hired a local architectural firm, solidifying its dreams for the space and adding 52 new jobs to the local workforce. https://ow.ly/6jVU50Ue1F3

With several developments lined up (including a recently completed parking deck in downtown), Florence is making way for this expected growth over the next few years. “Downtown is growing,” Florence City Council President Kaytrina Simmons said. “The city of Florence is growing and I am really excited for the growth and potential growth that we are about to enhance an experience.” https://ow.ly/mVlx50UaZSE

At the recent RurAL Summit Seminar at Central Alabama Community College, Main Street Alabama President Mary Helmer Wirth contributed to the discussion about how business development organizations across the state are working together to create opportunities for rural areas “Downtown is important because it is the heart and soul of a community,” she said. “When you’re trying to recruit industry and manufacturers to your cities, they are looking at your schools and healthcare systems, but they are also looking at your downtown.” https://lnkd.in/dYUgBj2m

This amazing space in Alexander City definitely has us Downtown Dreaming! The building was once a storage space for a gym but is now a top-notch luxury hotel and event space right in the heart of downtown. We thought this development deserved Main Street Alexander City an Excellence in Building Design Award! https://ow.ly/QoGj50UcVRP

Big changes are coming to Foley’s entertainment district. To make the most of the event, Third Thursdays and the official opening of the Cat Alley walkway and public seating area will coincide with it. A Foley Main Street design committee project, the alley was a collaborative effort between the organization and the City of Foley, Main Street Alabama, Foley Art Center, Baldwin County Board of Realtors, Foley Revitalization and Beautification Advisory Board, as well as the cooperation of the downtown business BrightSpeed. Learn more at the link! https://lnkd.in/e4t3HVfi

Main Street Wetumpka is tickled pink to partner with its downtown businesses to make the most of holiday shopping during this important retail season. Watch the link to learn more about this important national initiative being carried out in the River Region! https://ow.ly/jw2m50UaUNt

In honor of local artist Robin Nance Metz, Montevallo Main Street commissioned a painted sun sculpture to be installed in Bicentennial Park named Shining Star and painted by Metz’ stepdaughter Maya Metz Logue. The piece is a metal sun sculpture and promotes the arts while memorializing a community member who cultivated a love and landscape of art in the town’s historic district. https://ow.ly/t6f750U821I

The “Up from the Depths” sculpture in Gadsden is what we call a collaboration come true! When Downtown Gadsden Director Kay Moore met with Mario Gallardo of the Walnut Gallery and Ray Wetzel of the Gadsden Museum of Art, the result was awe-inspiring artwork placed near the Memorial Bridge overlooking the Coosa River. A great way to gain some positive attention and foot traffic, the project earned the organization an Excellence in Planning and Public Spaces Award. https://lnkd.in/eXcDzkHy

Register now to learn how local ambassadors can strengthen your revitalization efforts! Every Main Street district has its own set of community advocates who are ready and willing to promote the district’s offerings and amenities -they just need an opportunity and some direction. This webinar explores how NewTown Macon capitalized on citizens’ enthusiasm around downtown Macon, GA and created an ambassador and social influencer program to hype up downtown, known as the Downtown Macon Hype Team. Webinar attendees will learn how to recruit and mobilize a diverse team of community cheerleaders and leave with a scalable toolkit of resources to start their own Hype Team. Get hyped! https://ow.ly/gSC750U5s4m

When you see WART in Foley, Main Street wants you to think of the lovely Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail, a public walking trail winding through Foley and following the path of the old railroad line. The final block of the trail was recently completed, connecting its two sections, and increasing foot traffic for downtown businesses, along with earning it an Excellence in Planning and Public Spaces Award. https://ow.ly/QA0p50U80Hv