Frazier Associates [ Downtown Plans ]

Downtown Plans

Downtowns and neighborhoods have always played an essential role in defining any community. Unfortunately, for several generations many localities forgot the strength of their architectural and urban design roots and tried to revitalize their downtown by modernizing their image. These renewal projects often neglected the distinctive physical character of their existing community in favor of attempting to transplant the auto-oriented designs of their commercial corridors to their downtown.

Whether it is a facade improvement program, an urban design streetscape or corridor enhancement plan, design guidelines, or design review, many downtowns have tremendous potential to take advantage of their strengths in today's marketplace. Increasingly, communities throughout the nation are realizing that the implementation of a variety of small projects based on an overall consistent theme can provide the impetus for the economic rebirth of their central business district.

As the architectural firm providing design services for the Virginia Main Street program, Frazier Associates has unparalleled experience in looking at the unique assets and challenges of central business districts. The firm also is experienced with projects funded through TEA-21 and CDBG programs.

Tourism is playing an increasingly important role in many communities and providing distinctive and attractive wayfinding systems is a vital component in any program. Gateway signs, community-wide wayfinding sign systems, and area-specific street identification signs all can enhance visitor experience and civic pride.

Our office has a long standing relationship with the National Main Street Center and the Virginia Main Street Program. We are committed to Main Street's successful four-point approach which includes organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring.

A sketch pulled from the urban design plan for Harrisonburg, VA. Proposed changes to the downtown core include adding pedestrian crosswalks, banners, landscaping, and period lighting.

design guidelines rendering, Falls Church, Virginia

Rendering of urban placemaking from a design guidelines report for Falls Church, Virginia.

Alberta, Virginia

Alberta, a rural community in Southside Virginia, originally developed around the intersection of two railroad tracks. One of the major design initiatives in the town's new downtown plan was to convert a blighted central area into a town square. Streetscape improvements, facade enhancements, and utility relocations were also a part of the project.

Illustrative site plan showing comprehensive streetscape improvements from the plan for historic Luray, a 19th century town which is bisected by Hawksbill Creek.