Downtown Wayland Main Street

The Wayland Main Street Program supports our downtown commercial district by promoting and implementing the Main Street Four-Point Approach®. This approach helps build partnerships and collaboration among stakeholders and encourages historic preservation. It promotes environmentally-sustainable redevelopment, integrates communities’ cultural assets and fosters entrepreneurial development and downtown living.

Our Mission:
By strengthening connections between city government, businesses, and area citizens, the Wayland Main Street Downtown Development Authority exists to improve infrastructure and aesthetics of the district, facilitate the revitalization or reclamation of historic downtown buildings, and foster a successful business environment within the city.

Our Vision:
In 2021, downtown Wayland will be a diverse retail community. Our business district will include specialty, niche shops that provide unique experiences and unparalleled service to customers. Stores will maintain consistent hours, including evenings and weekends, which will meet the needs of area residents and visitors. The retail environment will be enhanced by various high quality eateries and restaurants. These specialty food establishments will assist in bringing consumers downtown to eat and shop during all hours of the day.

Downtown will attract visitors with its beautifully maintained historic buildings that are highlighted by their unique architecture. Building and business owners will utilize the Wayland Main Street/Downtown Development Authority’s façade and sign grant programs. Creative, attractive signs that represent the quality of the business that visitors can expect to find inside, will replace the fluorescent box signs that are common today. Rear entrances will be utilized more in everyday business due to well-kept and inviting façades.

Furthermore, continuity and quality will be prevalent. Downtown will be aesthetically pleasing to visitors year-round. Our walkable downtown will be highlighted with well manicured trees, flower beds and baskets, as well as additional green space. Parking areas will be well maintained and will incorporate attractive landscaping to make them more inviting.

All storefronts will be occupied and demand for space will be at a premium. This demand will be created not only from a loyal, retail consumer base, but also from a successful business climate that will exist. Local ordinances and officials will encourage commerce and development in the downtown. Roadblocks and challenges that prohibit growth will no longer exist and that will assist make downtown Wayland a desirable location to start, relocate or expand one’s business.

The Wayland Main Street program will be a major contributor to the success and health of the downtown. Partially funded and overseen by the Downtown Development Authority, the Main Street program will successfully partner volunteers, local government, area non-profits and the business community to revitalize downtown. Wayland’s locally-owned, independent businesses will use the services that Main Street provides, ranging from brochures, directories, seminars, and business services, to improve business practices and grow their business to its fullest potential.

Downtown Wayland will be a mecca of entertainment and activities for area residents and visitors of all ages. With quarterly festivals, family activities, and entertainment businesses, downtown will be an enjoyable place for all. Full of booming businesses and year round entertainment, downtown Wayland will have a positive image in the community and surrounding west Michigan.