The Prairie du Chien Main Street Team is focused on renewing the historic heart of downtown Prairie du Chien, to create a lively and friendly destination hub for both consumers and businesses. Improving our Downtown is an investment in our community’s future.

This organization bridges the gaps between businesses, property owners, city officials, residents, non-profits, and visitors to the downtown area. We strive  to cultivate a vibrant, social, cultural and economic center by bringing together the downtown stakeholders while celebrating the unique historic character of downtown Prairie du Chien.

  • It’s about Economic Development: Thriving communities have vibrant downtowns. This means more businesses, living options, arts & entertainment, recreation, celebration, events and attractive properties.
  • Prairie du Chien offers a rich historic foundation where a vibrant Downtown will add to the current attractions and make the area a destination for local residents and tourists.
  • Downtown Prairie du Chien is a reflection of how our community sees itself.
  • Downtown provides a sense of community and place.
Click here to visit Prairie du Chien Main Street Website

Why are Downtowns Important?

Downtowns are our community’s personalities and gathering spaces; places of shared memory, celebration and economic activity. DDI is working to help our communities restore and revitalize their down towns and business districts by implementing the National Main Street Program with assistance from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. Following the 4-point approach, revival is achieved with a focus on Organization, Design, Promotion, and Economic Vitality.

Transformation Strategies are implemented through comprehensive work in four broad areas, known as the Four Points.

  • ECONOMIC VITALITY focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies.
  • DESIGN supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart.
  • PROMOTION positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics.
  • ORGANIZATION involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district.

Main Street Fundamentals

  • The Main Street Approach is centered around Transformation Strategies. A Transformation Strategy articulates a focused, deliberate path to revitalizing or strengthening a downtown or commercial district’s economy.
  • A program’s work on Transformation Strategies should be organized around the Four Points: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
  • A revitalization program’s work – and its Transformation Strategies – need to be informed by a solid understanding of local and regional market data, and sustained and inclusive community engagement.

To learn more about Main Street Fundamentals and Wisconsin Economic Development, visit www.wedc.org.