National Main Street Center

What is the National Trust's Main Street Center?

The National Trust's Main Street Center (NTMSC) is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  It created the Main Street Approach to downtown revitalization, and promotes the use of the approach to communities to revitalize their traditional commercial areas.

It serves as the nation's clearinghouse for information, technical assistance, research and advocacy on preservation based commercial district revitalization.

The NTMSC is now active in 40 states and over 2,000 downtowns.

National Trust's Main Street Four-Point Approach

The Main Street Program's success is based on a comprehensive strategy of work, tailored to local needs and opportunities, in four broad areas, called the Main Street Four Point Approach:

• 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.
• 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.
• Economic Restructuring - Strengthening the district's existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities and challenges from outlying development.

The National Trust's Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation
1785 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-588-6219
Fax: 202-588-6050