Who is Main Street?
The Main Street Columbus Program kicked off on August 9, 1985, and is a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership receiving funds from the City of Columbus, County of Lowndes, fundraising efforts, donations and membership dues. Our work takes place with the help of a volunteer board of directors and our four working committees: Design, Promotion, Membership and Economic Restructuring.
Main Street has been instrumental in the adoption of a historic preservation ordinance and tree ordinance and is proud to offer many community events/projects, such as Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market revitalization and operation, Noon Tunes, Columbus Christmas Parade, Wassail Fest, Art Walk Downtown, Lighting of the Community Christmas Tree, Sounds of Summer, Market Street Festival, Riverwalk Project, Leadership Plaza, Façade Grant Improvement Program as well as downtown landscape projects, murals and beautification.
Main Street Columbus strives to present a vibrant downtown, which encourages people to live, shop, dine, work and play in historic downtown Columbus.
Downtown Columbus is proud to offer approximately 184 upper level apartments and constantly enjoys a spirit of interest and investment.
Main Street Columbus is supported by Mississippi Main Street Association and the National Main Street Center, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Our Approach
The Four-Point Approach®, on which Main Street operates, is a proven methodology for historic preservation-based economic development that was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is used in more than 2,000 communities through the United States.
- Design
Enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long term planning. - Organization
Building consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalization process. - Promotion
Marketing the traditional commercial district’s assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors. - Economic Restructuring
Strengthening the district’s existing economic base while finding ways to expand to expand it to meet new opportunities – and challenges from outlying development.
Board of Directors
C.J. Andrews – Coffee House on 5th
Jody Andrews – Coffee House on 5th
Lakeysucha Bailey – Columbus Light and Water
Lauren Barker – Farm Bureau Insurance
Wilson Beck – Zachary’s Restaurant
Cathryn Borer – Columbus Lowndes Chamber of Commerce
Margaret Ann Borland – Mira Mira Boutique
Penny Bowen – Penny Bowen Designs
Shannon Bowen – Allen Jones Used Cars
Amber Brislin – Brislin Inc.
George Irby – City of Columbus
Bart Lawrence – The Princess Theater
Anika Perkins – Mississippi University for Women
Josh Read – Edward Jones
David Richardson – The Paint Store
Derek Rogers – WCBI TV
Jason Sharp – Mitchell McNutt & Sams
Kevin Stafford – City of Columbus
Gail Stevens – Park Place Boutique & Salon
Main Street Staff
Barbara Bigelow, Main Street Columbus Executive Director
E-mail Barbara
Chelsea Best, Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market Coordinator; Event Planner
Partner Benefits
A successful Main Street depends on the support of the entire community. One is not required to have a business or own property in downtown Columbus to partner with Main Street. Most likely, every resident enjoys downtown in some way … you drive through downtown, shop or eat downtown, enjoy the beautiful Riverwalk Park or relax in Leadership Plaza, receive professional services or live downtown. Whether a private citizen, a community leader or a business or property owner, you can support YOUR downtown by joining Main Street Columbus today.
Awards
Great American Main Street Award®
Main Street Columbus received the prestigious Great American Main Street Award® (GAMSA) in 2010. Recognized as a leader by following the Main Street Four-Point Approach®, embracing sound historic preservation ethics and building strategic partnerships, Main Street Columbus was honored at the Main Street Awards Ceremony during the National Main Street Conference in Oklahoma City.
Downtown Columbus recognized by Southern Business & Development Magazine
Southern Business and Development magazine recognized Historic Downtown Columbus in their central “Top 10’s” edition. The area was named in their Top Ten Wonderful Small Town Central Business Districts in the South ranking for 2013
Market Street Festival
The Market Street Festival, which began in 1996, takes place the first weekend in May each year. This diverse, family event has been named a Top 20 Event as well as Best Fundraising Event and Best Image Package by Mississippi Main Street Association. An estimated crowd of 38,000 – 40,000 attends the festival each year. Arts & Crafts, children’s activities, 5k run, car show, WCBI-TV “Crank It Up” car giveaway and musical entertainment are only a few of the highlights of this not-to-be-missed festival.
Façade Grant Improvement Program
What is the Façade Improvement Grant Program?
The Main Street Columbus Façade Improvement Grant Program assists businesses and commercial
property owners with improving building appearance by putting a new “face” on the way goods and
services are marketed.
Before
After
Maximum Awards:
The Façade Improvement Program is available to owners and tenants (with owner permission) for
proposed improvements to the front facade of an existing building. Grants will be issued on a first-
come basis with the approved fund disbursed at the completion of the facade improvement.
