We’ve organized Field Notes by the four points of the Main Street Approach. These correspond with the four elements of real estate value – Economic, Physical, Civic, and Social.
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Downtown Areas We Have Visited
Downtown – Almont, Michigan
Probably the most impressive historic building in Almont is the First Congregational Church. The prominent tower and spire, steeply pitched roof, and wall buttresses all combine to create a strong architectural statement. Downtown Almont is fortunate to have a number of attractive two and three-story brick buildings. A handful have...
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Downtown – Berkley, Michigan
Downtown Berkley in Oakland County, Michigan, has a long and linear downtown along 12 Mile Road. Some sections have landmark quality buildings and blocks built to the sidewalk. Most of the frontage, however, is of freestanding buildings. This makes it challenging to create the walkable urbanism needed to encourage circulation...
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Downtown – Ferndale, Michigan (2007)
First incorporated in 1917, Ferndale's early development as a streetcar suburb of Detroit resulted in Ferndale having a small downtown and traditional high density development patterns. The streetcar system, with its fond memories, served Ferndale from 1895 to 1947, and was the main mode of transportation to work and play...
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Downtown – Wyandotte, Michigan
View from downtown Wyandotte after an ice carving event, in February 2006. The relatively new clocktower is in the distance, as is a pergola structure well before plantings got established. The historic building located at the corner of First Street and Maple Street in downtown Wyandotte. Originally constructed in 1933...
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Re-Imagining Downtown DeRidder – DeRidder, Louisiana
Downtown DeRidder has the potential to become an exciting destination for the surrounding region, serving as home not only for the court, law, and politics, but also for arts and entertainment, restaurants, downtown housing, and cultural institutions and museums. There is an economic development argument here as well, because if...
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Downtown – New Orleans, Louisiana
Photo from Musical Legends Park at Cafe Beignet on Bourbon St. Some spot demolition of a building that was damaged by the storm. The postmodern influenced Piazza d'Italia. The Degas House on 2306 Esplanade Ave. Raised mausoleum due to the water level being so high and burial in the ground...
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Downtown – Trenton, Michigan
The Sibley Hotel is a three-story brick block with corner conical tower and turret. A biloggial porch wraps around two sides of the building. A streetscape project resulted in new backless benches, lighting, pavers, and trash cans. Angled front-in parking maximizes the availability of parking along the street while slowing...
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Downtown – Detroit, Michigan
The English surrendered the region that Detroit is in to the U.S. on July 11, 1796. Major General Anthony Wayne was general in command at the time. Later Wayne County was named in his honor on August 15, 1796. The county embraced nearly all of the present state of Michigan...
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Downtown – Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis was selected as the new state capital of Indiana in 1820. The city was situated on the original east-west National Road. The first railroad service began in 1847. By the start of the 20th century, Indianapolis had become a large automobile manufacturer. In the late 20th century Indianapolis rose...
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Downtown – Rochester, New York
Catenary structure in the downtown also doubling as a sculptural element uniting other tall buildings together. Shorter historic buildings covered up with billboard and signage, while large scale development spreads block by block. Classically inspired building in downtown Rochester. Partial skyline and a detail of the Times Square Building that...
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