Street Grid is a living file library for Main Street and downtown revitalization organizations to streamline organizational efficiency, springboard planning efforts, and empower advocacy for this grassroots economic development engine. Street Grid also includes a collection of examples, samples and templates.
Each year, the Iowa Downtown Resource Center hosts two key in-person downtown networking events. The Iowa Downtown Conference is the premier statewide annual conference for professionals and volunteers involved with downtown revitalization in Iowa and neighboring states. The Downtown Conference is traditionally hosted the first week of August.
The Iowa Downtown Resource Center also hosts a series of Downtown Forums annually in four locations across the state. The forums offer downtown and community leaders’ communities the opportunity to collaborate about downtown ideas, successes, and challenges. Iowa Downtown Resource Center staff facilitate discussions relating to downtown revitalization and available grant programs and other resources.
Downtown Forums
Connect with neighboring communities and the Iowa Downtown Resource Center staff as we explore the top 10 key drivers of thriving downtowns — from capacity building and business development to establishing a strong local identity. How many of these fundamentals can you identify and implement in your own community?
Gain valuable insights through real-world examples from across the state at one of four Downtown Forums in June, presented by the Iowa Downtown Resource Center.
June 26, 2025 9:30 am
- June 26, 2025 4:00 pm | In Person
Downtown Design Guide
The Iowa Downtown Resource Center and Main Street Iowa created the Downtown Design Guide to assist community stakeholders working on historic commercial district revitalization across the state. The guide can be a great tool for any community interested in preserving and maintaining the historic character of its physical assets while embracing diversity, quality design, sustainability practices and accessibility for all.
Addressing Problem Properties in Downtown Districts
The appearance, use, and safety of downtown districts impact community image, property values, future investments, and ultimately, the long-term vitality of communities. A downtown cannot reach its full potential and thrive as a center for living, working, and entertainment if nuisance buildings, improperly maintained lots and poor building uses are the focal point. Solutions come with local action. Community leaders must identify challenges and develop ideas, programs, and procedures to improve those problem properties.
List items for Additional Resources - Downtown Resource Center
A partnership with the University of Iowa, this toolkit encompasses the process of SSMID creation from boundary and budget planning to methods and process for community outreach, and how to evaluate the success of a SSMID program.
This tool helps compare and analyze the value per acre and/or square footage and total property value among several types of properties, including those downtown and those owned by large industries.
Main Street Iowa, a program of the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s Iowa Downtown Resource Center, and the Community Land Use and Economics Group, LLC have assembled this collection of examples from theaters around the country as a resource for historic theaters in Iowa’s downtowns. It is our hope that this collection will continue to grow as the theaters participating in Main Street Iowa’s historic theater initiative and their partner Main Street programs add their experiences to it.
In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, Better Block and the Iowa Arts Council, the Iowa Downtown Resource Center is supporting downtown creative placemaking through trainings, educational opportunities and technical resources.
