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Elkader's local Design Guidelines
Following our Main Street Elkader Design Guidelines, established with the City of Elkader, is crucial to the success of our community and downtown our Main Street District. When we follow these guidelines it helps attract more retailers/businesses to town, visitors, tourism and foot traffic, and prepares our community for success for years to come.
Iowa Economic Development Authority: Downtown Design Guide
Download this guide for downtown building design!
The physical elements of your historic commercial district embody the community’s past, serve as a venue for its present and contain the potential for its future vibrancy. Downtowns and traditional commercial districts are a home for local businesses, a gathering place for family and friends, and an opportunity to celebrate the diverse cultures that exist in our communities. For these reasons, it is vital that the built environment be maintained and cared for by local stewards.
As a Main Street America (TM) Coordinating Program, Main Street Iowa follows the four-point approach for downtown revitalization. The four points developed by the National Main Street Center are economic vitality, design, organization and promotion. Although this document focuses on the design point, the impact does not stop there. Successful design positively impacts environmental sustainability, economic resiliency and social well-being. In other words, good design can strengthen the other three points.
This document was prepared by Main Street Iowa staff as a guide for local Main Street programs, city staff, downtown development groups, property owners and volunteers as they embark on the revitalization and continued maintenance of the physical assets of their downtowns.
(Updated July 2024.)
