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About Main StREet WaterLOO

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Main Street Waterloo is dedicated to enhancing the vitality of downtown Waterloo through historic preservation, economic development and community engagement. Downtown Waterloo is home to more than 2,000 residents and 5,500 day-time workers; $70,000,000 worth of annual commerce and averaging $8,000,000 in annual private re-investment into the district.

our
mission

Main Street Waterloo is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the vitality of our downtown center.

our
vision

Main Street Waterloo is committed to being a thought and resource leader to assist downtown in becoming a vibrant place to live, work and play by leveraging the assets of historic buildings, transportation infrastructure, leisure facilities
and resources.

MAIN STREET WATERLOO APPROACH

The Main Street Iowa Program works with a select group of communities committed to downtown economic development. Main Street Waterloo is proud to be one of more than 50 communities in the state who have been designated Main Street communities. By utilizing the Main Street Approach communities are able to capitalize on the unique identity, assets and character of their historic commercial districts.

The Main Street Approach was developed by the National Main Street Center, Inc. with the goal of economic development within the context of historic preservation. Strategies are implemented through four points: Waterloo has been a Main Street Community since 1996. We've utilized the Main Street America Four-Point Approach (Design, Economic Vitality, Organization and Promotions & Marketing). We are a volunteer organization, striving to promote Waterloo's downtown as a great and safe place to live, work and play for Waterloo residents and visitors alike.

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Enhancing the physical appearance of the Downtown by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems and long-term planning. As part of the Four Point Approach to Main Street revitalization, the Design Council handles the following:

  • Oversees all possible downtown design activity: maintenance, rehab, new construction, signage and public improvements.

  • Works with local design and construction professional to assure they understand proper treatment of old buildings.​

  • Partners with city government to oversee local ordinances affecting downtown building activity.

  • Works with state and local preservation office.

  • Maintains downtown building inventory, in cooperation with Economic Vitality Council.

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The Design Council meets the

first Wednesday of the month at noon.

Sign up to join the Design Council

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The goal of the Economic Vitality Council is to identify new market opportunities for Waterloo’s Downtown commercial district, find new uses for historic commercial buildings, and stimulate investment in downtown properties. Our plans call for major improvements in arts, culture, riverfront investments, tourism, and conference opportunities in the Downtown. It also calls for the addition of new retail, service, and restaurant opportunities throughout the Downtown district.

  • Strengthening existing businesses through seminars, consultant visits, etc.

  • Recruit new downtown businesses to fill gaps in the market​

  • Find new economic uses for traditional Main Street spaces​

  • Monitor the economic performance of downtown on an ongoing basis​

  • Promote downtown as a good place to do business

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The Economic Vitality Council meets the

first Thursday of the month at noon.

Sign up to join the Economic Vitality Council

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Organization is the foundation of the entire Main Street program. A strong organizational base with committed funding will enable Main Street Waterloo to enact an effective revitalization program.

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By partnering with the various and diverse groups in the community to reach consensus on important issues while creating a shared vision for Downtown Waterloo, the program will be consistently strong. This committee is responsible for creatively building a solid financial foundation and keeping the lines of communication open to the public.

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Through the Organization Council, the businesses in downtown are actively involved in the development and growth of the Main Street Program.

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The Organization Council meets the

first Thursday of the month at 4:00pm.

Sign up to join the Organization Council

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Marketing the traditional commercial district’s assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors. The job of Main Street Waterloo’s Promotion Council is to PROMOTE downtown as the center of commerce, culture, and community life for residents and visitors alike.

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The Promotion Committee has been hard at work developing a logo, website, flyers, and printed materials to help revitalize downtown Waterloo.

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Main Street Waterloo’s Council are extremely energetic, organized, creative, open to new ideas while reviewing old ones, and have fun in the process.

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The Promotions Council meets the

first Thursday of the month at 5:30pm.

Sign up to join the Promotions Council

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The Main Street Iowa Program works with a select group of communities committed to downtown economic development. Main Street Waterloo is proud to be one of more than 50 communities in the state who have been designated Main Street communities.

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​By utilizing the Main Street Approach communities are able to capitalize on the unique identity, assets and character of their historic commercial districts. The Main Street Approach was developed by the National Main Street Center, Inc. with the goal of economic development within the context of historic preservation. Strategies are implemented through four points: Economic Vitality, Design, Organization, and Promotion. ​ Main Street Iowa provides assistance through training workshops, architectural and design assistance, business assistance, and a number of technical assistance opportunities.

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Main Street America believes everyone deserves access to a vibrant neighborhood – a place that has a thriving local economy, is rich in character, and features inviting public spaces that make residents and visitors feel that they belong. Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique. Working together, the Main Street America Network helps to breathe new life into the places people call home.

The District

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Economic Impact

Net Gain in Businesses

New businesses, relocations and expansions

239

Buildings

Buildings that have been renovated or rehabilitated

315

Buildings Sold

Buildings sold to investors to be redeveloped

119

Net Gain in Jobs

New jobs in downtown due to businesses opening or expanding

613

Private Dollars

Private dollars that have been invested into completed  Downtown projects

$138M

Volunteer Hours

Main Street Waterloo is a volunteer driven organization would not be able to accomplish all we do without the help of volunteers!

94,000 Hours

Main Street Waterloo Economic Impact 1996-December 2022

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