Managing a downtown is complex work, requiring perseverance and commitment. That’s because daily tasks related to keeping a downtown clean, safe, attractive and fun need to be balanced against long-term and large-scale changes such as shepherding streetscape renewals, building constructions and renovations, or instituting changes to policies and regulations.
All of these factors are critical for a downtown to thrive because they provide the foundation for a person’s Main Street experience, from the shopper who wants to easily navigate the sidewalks and crosswalks, to the business owner seeking an enviable location to launch, to the developer who wants to create the newest in-demand mixed-use building. Each of their needs is different yet equally important for the downtown to truly thrive.
Putting all the pieces together is a range of downtown stewards, from professional downtown managers, to volunteers and stakeholders, to dedicated town and city officials (usually from the economic development or planning departments). CMSC is dedicated to teaching all of them how to address the various aspects of a thriving downtown (what we refer to as the 6 Core Components) through membership, education and resources like those listed below.
