About Main StREet WaterLOO
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 more than 6,000 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.
Our Organizational VaLUes
Forward Thinking
Main Street Waterloo embodies FORWARD THINKING, embracing CHANGE as a catalyst for progress. Through creative solutions and a willingness to depart from the norm, we consistently grow and reach towards our organizational goals.
Honesty
Main Street Waterloo upholds HONESTY and INTEGRITY as fundamental values in our mission to revitalize downtown. We prioritize transparency and accountability, ensuring that decisions are made with the well-being of all stakeholders at the forefront.
Connected
Main Street Waterloo CONNECTS through intentional relationship-building and community collaboration, striving for impactful outcomes. As ADVOCATES for Waterloo, we unify the community, working towards common goals and shared prosperity.
committed
Main Street Waterloo is COMMITTED to enhancing the downtown district and showcasing the remarkable essence of our city. We are DEDICATED to sharing our story with all, embodying a commitment to the vibrancy and potential of our community.
Main Street Waterloo believes our community is for everyone. Our work is guided by our core values of forward thinking, honesty and integrity, connectedness and commitment. We are dedicated to creating shared prosperity, equal access to opportunity and inclusive engagement. We are proud of our efforts to prioritize rich diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in each of our programs and actions.
The MAIN STREET 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.
Enhancing the physical appearance of the Downtown by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems and long-term planning.
The Design Council oversees all possible downtown design activity including maintenance, rehabilitation, new construction, signage, and public improvements. This group works with local design and construction professionals to assure they understand proper treatment of old buildings and partners with the CIty of Waterloo to oversee ordinances affecting downtown building activity. They also work with state and local preservation. The Design Council also maintains a downtown building inventory in cooperation with the Economic Vitality Council.​​​​​
​The Design Council meets the
first Wednesday of the month at noon.
Sign up to join the Design Council
The Economic Vitality Council works to identify new market opportunities for the Downtown commercial district, find new uses for historic commercial buildings, and stimulate investment in downtown properties. This group works towards improvements in arts, culture, riverfront investments, and tourism. The Economic Vitality Council uses market data to recruit new retail, service, and restaurant opportunities throughout the Downtown district.
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In addition to business recruitment, the EV Council works to strengthen existing businesses through seminars, consultant visits, etc.
The EV Council creates a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive our local economy.​​​​​​
​The Economic Vitality Council meets the
first Thursday of the month at noon.
Sign up to join the Economic Vitality Council
Organization is the foundation of the entire Main Street program. A strong organizational base with committed funding enables 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, MSW will be consistently strong. The Organization Council builds 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.​
​The Organization Council meets the
first Thursday of the month at 4:00pm.
Sign up to join the Organization Council
The Promotion Council works to promote downtown as the center of commerce, culture, and community life for residents and visitors alike. By marketing our downtown district’s assets to all they work to showcase downtown Waterloo's unique characteristics, culture, and history.
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This group's work is vital to downtown as their work enhances the district's image and promotes Downtown Waterloo as a place with character, where people feel connected, and know it is a place to raise a family, start a business, build community, and forge the future.
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The Promotions Council is extremely energetic, organized, creative, open to new ideas while reviewing old ones, and have fun in the process.​
​​The Promotions Council meets the
first Thursday of the month at 5:30pm.
Sign up to join the Promotions Council
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: 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.
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.
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Building stronger communities together.
The District
Economic Impact
Main Street Waterloo Economic Impact 1996-December 2023
Net Gain in Businesses
New businesses, relocations and expansions
240
Buildings
Buildings that have been renovated or rehabilitated
317
Buildings Sold
Buildings sold to investors to be redeveloped
121
Net Gain in Jobs
New jobs in downtown due to businesses opening or expanding
626
Private Dollars
Private dollars that have been invested into completed Downtown projects
$142.8M
Volunteer Hours
Main Street Waterloo is a volunteer driven organization would not be able to accomplish all we do without the help of volunteers!