Design enhances the visual appearance of the downtown and the community as a whole in order to attract consumers, investors, businesses, and residents. The design element focuses on improving all things physical, including building maintenance and preservation, public improvements such as streets and sidewalks, landscaping, entries, window displays, signs, and promotional materials.

The role of the Design Committee is to address all things physical in the community through the improvement of buildings, streetscapes, signs, education and awareness of the built environment. The existing structures in the downtown represent a substantial investment and opportunity. Their continued maintenance and utilization (and the use of existing infrastructure) is an efficient use of local resources. These structures provide a low cost opportunity for business development and expansions.

Visually enhancing the downtown area sparks excitement in a community. Most design improvements are visible and tangible. They remain a testament to the commitment the community is making toward revitalization.

However, necessary maintenance projects, mandatory for the long-term effective utilization of a property are often difficult or impossible to see. Because of this, the committee must help the general public become aware of and understand the investments made by local property owners into such areas as roofs, tuck pointing and mechanical improvements and the importance of having these projects completed.

The design committee helps to facilitate physical improvements in the downtown area in a number of ways. The committee provides direct assistance, access to additional technical expertise and advice, and information regarding proper care and maintenance of historic structures.

View past, current, and future design projects.

Why Volunteer?