In November 2017, City Center Mankato became the eighth designated Main Street Community in Minnesota, joining Faribault, New Ulm, Owatonna, Red Wing, Shakopee, Willmar and Winona in gaining the designation.
Designated Minnesota Main Street communities must demonstrate broad community support, employ paid staff, and meet nationally defined standards. The City Center Partnership, representing the City Centers of Mankato and North Mankato, fulfills these requirements and has committed to incorporating the National Trust’s Main Street Four Point Approach® into its work: improving physical appearance and atmosphere of the downtown commercial district, increasing marketing and events that promote the district and local businesses, expanding the economic base, and building collaborative partnerships and resources.
About Minnesota Main Street
Minnesota Main Streets by Rethos is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping cities achieve economic vitality by utilizing built assets, supporting local community engagement activities, and cultivating passion for vibrant and prosperous downtowns. Minnesota Main Streets is a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program and provides local Main Street communities with the training, tools, information and networking they need to reinvigorate their downtown districts. More at rethos.org.
Main Street America
We are an accredited Main Street America community!
This is a special mark of distinction that only the most qualified organizations and communities receive. To receive this designation, these communities follow a rigorous process that must show a proven track record of celebrating community character, preserving local history, and generating economic returns. Our community should be proud of this designation.
About Main Street America
Main Street America has been helping revitalize older and historic commercial districts for more than 40 years. Today it is a network of more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities, rural and urban, who share both a commitment to place and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development. Main Street America is a program of the nonprofit National Main Street Center, Inc., a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. More at mainstreet.org
Artist on Main Street
The City Center Partnership has participated in three rounds of INFUSE, part of a larger initiative called Artists on Main Street, a partnership between Minnesota Main Street and Springboard for the Arts with support from the Bush Foundation. More at rethos.org/artists-on-main-street.
Phase I – Activate Old Town Alleyways
Phase II – Activate Washington Park
Phase III – Activating Open Spaces
