Main Street Place Activation

Activating public spaces has been a critical strategy in supporting small businesses and communities throughout the pandemic. Washington Main Street believes that many of the trends that have emerged as emergency responses should have a more permanent place in our downtown districts. Through a two-part training and a grant opportunity, we hope to elevate local Main Street programs’ planning abilities and help you achieve small wins through place activation.

Main Street Communities and Affiliates will be invited to apply for a grant to support your efforts toward a 90-Day Plan to activate a portion of your downtown. WMS will award 2-5 grants that will provide both technical assistance (in-kind value worth over $1,000 each) provided by Samantha Lorenz (Thomas) of Terra Soma and a cash grant (up to $2,000) to provide matching funds for materials costs associated with your project. If awarded, you will assemble a team to work with Samantha between March-June to plan and execute a place activation initiative of your choosing for your downtown district.

Applications are due by February 24, 2021. Download the Place Activation resource guide for more information.

Washington Main Street recognizes Main Street America for its partnership and investment in this offering!

Application Requirements
Before moving forward with this application, be sure you can affirm your organization 1) is a designated Washington Main Street Community or Affiliate, 2) has experience utilizing the Main Street Approach, 3) has identified a project site that will support small businesses in the district, 4) has identified a project lead, and 5) has the capacity to take on the 90-Day Plan demonstrated through board and stakeholder support, volunteer commitment, and organizational readiness.
Grantee Expectations
If your application is selected, your organization must be prepared to satisfy the following expectations: – Convene an ad hoc team comprised of committee members (or topical experts) from each of the Four Points – Project lead (team chairperson) is someone other than the executive director – Business owners are champions of the activation project – City is a key partner and involved during the planning stages (at a minimum) – Meet bi-monthly with Samantha from approximately March 8 – June 4 – Project lead provides weekly updates to the ad hoc team and Samantha – Contribute additional time to execute the 90-Day Plan outside of bi-monthly TA meetings – Secure necessary funding to implement the place activation project – Project provides a true demonstration (recommended in place for a month or more) – Track relevant qualitative and quantitative indicators of project impact (with support from WMS)
Name*
First Last
Organization*
Address*
Street Address City State ZIP Code
Email*
Phone
What site do you want to activate, and how?*
(Provide brief description of site, including address or cross-streets, as relevant; give a brief description of what you’re envisioning.)
Image upload
If you have any photos of the site identified for the proposal, feel free to upload 2-3 with your application. This is not required.
Max. file size: 50 MB.
How will activating this site create opportunities for small businesses?*
What are your current barriers to activating this space?*
Please describe how you expect the technical assistance and the 90-Day Plan to help address these barriers.
Who will be part of your ad hoc team to plan and implement the place activation project?*
Please list names, affiliations, and areas of expertise.
Who will be the project lead?*
Please identify who will be the chairperson of the Place Activation ad hoc committee.
Is the Main Street board of directors supportive of this project?
What do you expect the role of the board to be in the project?
Is the city supportive of this project?
What do you expect the role of the city to be in the project?
Are downtown businesses supportive of this project?
What do you expect the role of businesses to be in the project?
What is your projected budget (material costs) for this project?
Please include sources of funding, including in-kind donation of materials, and whether that funding is secured or not yet secured.
Application Requirements
Before moving forward with this application, be sure you can affirm your organization 1) is a designated Washington Main Street Community or Affiliate, 2) has experience utilizing the Main Street Approach, 3) has identified a project site that will support small businesses in the district, 4) has identified a project lead, and 5) has the capacity to take on the 90-Day Plan demonstrated through board and stakeholder support, volunteer commitment, and organizational readiness.
Grantee Expectations
If your application is selected, your organization must be prepared to satisfy the following expectations: – Convene an ad hoc team comprised of committee members (or topical experts) from each of the Four Points – Project lead (team chairperson) is someone other than the executive director – Business owners are champions of the activation project – City is a key partner and involved during the planning stages (at a minimum) – Meet bi-monthly with Samantha from approximately March 8 – June 4 – Project lead provides weekly updates to the ad hoc team and Samantha – Contribute additional time to execute the 90-Day Plan outside of bi-monthly TA meetings – Secure necessary funding to implement the place activation project – Project provides a true demonstration (recommended in place for a month or more) – Track relevant qualitative and quantitative indicators of project impact (with support from WMS)

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Main Street Place Activation

Application Requirements

Grantee Expectations

Application Requirements

Grantee Expectations