The first thing a customer notices about a shopping district is its appearance. A run-down appearance makes a negative impression and suggests community apathy.

As businesses moved to locations away from downtown, buildings generated less income for their property owners. Some owners responded by modernizing their buildings; others deferred maintenance, waiting for new tenants.

Each community's downtown is unique. Downtown is more than a place to shop. It represents the place where many of us grew up and made lasting friends and memories. Preserving the historic architecture recaptures the town's physical and emotional image.

Window displays, commercial and public signage and merchandising techniques all contribute to the downtown's physical appearance. Public and private investments add to downtown's appearance through landscaping, sidewalk and parking improvements and other amenities.

The Design Committee focuses on the physical image of downtown. They want an attractive atmosphere. This is accomplished by:

*Educating others about good design-enhancing the image of each business as well as that of the district

*Providing good design advice--encouraging quality improvements to private properties and public spaces

*Planning Main Street's development--guiding future growth and shaping regulations

*Motivating others to make changes--create incentives and targeting key projects

OMSP services include design committee training, facade renderings and consultations from the OMSP architect, Oklahoma Design Guidelines publication, referral lists of contractors and design professionals and preservation/restoration products list.