Main Street Arkansas

Mission & History

Steeped in historic preservation, The Main Street Four-Point ApproachTM was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 to save historic commercial architecture and the fabric of American communities’ built environments. Arkansas joined the National Main Street Network in 1984 and the following year brought five cities into the statewide network through a competitive application process. Since then, we’ve added several cities to the state and nationwide network for a total of 20 Designated Main Street Arkansas programs, as well as 20 Arkansas Downtown Network programs.

With more than 35 years of experience, we’ve seen communities capitalize on the very assets that characterize their downtowns, like their distinctive architecture, entrepreneurial spirit, pedestrian-friendly environment, and unique sense of place. Countless volunteers and community leaders are dedicating themselves to preserving their community cores and ensuring that their downtowns are vibrant gathering places.

Our Mission

Main Street Arkansas works to strengthen and preserve historic downtowns and Main Street districts across the state. It provides technical assistance, resources, and ongoing education to local programs to help them implement and excel in the Main Street Four-Point ApproachTM , creating a vivid and vital sense of place.

Our Vision

In 2030, Main Street Arkansas will be a premiere state coordinating program. The program is known for its experience in historic preservation, downtown revitalization, small business development, and program management. Main Street Arkansas staff are leaders in downtown design and innovative solutions and are the primary resources for downtown economic development. Main Street Arkansas designation is a highly valued and sought-after status by communities.

The mission of Main Street Arkansas is to be the leading resource for communities seeking to revitalize their historic downtown commercial districts and to provide technical assistance and expertise to designated Main Street Arkansas communities through the implementation of the National Trust’s Main Street Center’s comprehensive Four-Point Approach®. Main Street Arkansas is a preservation-based economic development program housed in the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage.