Historic Downtown Phoebus: A Main Street District
The Phoebus Partnership is proud to serve as the official steward of Historic Downtown Phoebus, a designated Advancing Virginia Main Street community and proud Main Street America™ Affiliate. This dual designation connects us to a powerful statewide and national network of communities committed to revitalizing traditional downtowns through grassroots leadership, historic preservation, and economic development.
Backed by training, funding opportunities, and technical support from Virginia Main Street and Main Street America, we are fully equipped to drive meaningful change in Phoebus — supporting our businesses, celebrating our history, and shaping a thriving, people-centered commercial/residential historic district.
What We Do
We offer comprehensive services to help Phoebus reach its full potential, including:
BUSINESS SUPPORT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- Guidance on Financial Incentives: Renovating one of Phoebus’ many historic structures? We provide guidance for property owners and business owners to leverage historic tax credits, state grants, retail assistance incentives, Enterprise Zone benefits, local Arts & Cultural District perks, and façade improvement programs.
- Small Business Retention & Recruitment: We actively support businesses while recruiting entrepreneurs aligned with Historic Downtown Phoebus’ goals of maintaining a family-friendly, neighborhood-serving business district.
- Market Data & Customer Demographics: Our organization can provide access to foot traffic data, market research, and commercial space availability.
- Assistance with Process Navigation: With our extensive roots in the community and partnership with the municipality, we act as a liaison with city departments to streamline renovation, repair, and permitting processes.
DESIGN & DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT
- Façade Design Assistance: Support for historically appropriate improvements that enhance curb appeal and preserve the character of the historic district.
- Signage & Wayfinding: Help designing attractive, professional signs to improve navigation and cohesion with the historic district.
- Murals & Public Art Projects: Identify the blank canvases of Phoebus, commission artists, secure funding, and promote new public installations to enhance and beautify our shared spaces.
- Historic Preservation: Connect both commercial and residential property owners with preservation resources and provide technical assistance for appropriate rehab or adaptive reuse.
- Streetscape Beautification: Those beautiful flower pots don’t grow themselves. We champion improvements like enhanced street lighting, landscaping, pedestrian markings, and seasonal decorations to create a delightful downtown experience.
- Design Guidelines & Review: Ensure all new development complements the district’s architecture and scale.
MARKETING, BRANDING & PROMOTION
- Logo & Brand Development: Our Design department offers one-on-one brand coaching for businesses and professional and consistent branding for the district as a whole.
- Digital Presence & Social Media: Training and strategy development to help businesses stand out online.
- District-Wide Campaigns: Coordinate “shop local” campaigns, restaurant weeks, seasonal promotions, and tourism pushes.
- Photo & Video Asset Development: Collaborate with businesses on high-quality visual content for use as district promotion.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & ORGANIZING
- Volunteer Engagement: Recruit and manage volunteers for events, cleanups, and committees.
- Resident & Stakeholder Communication: Provide updates on city projects, road closures, and development initiatives that affect the district.
- Partnerships with Schools, Nonprofits & Cultural Orgs: Collaborate to support local youth, host educational pop-ups, and activate underused space.
- Public Input Sessions: Host visioning workshops and surveys to gather community feedback.
- Equity & Inclusion Initiatives: Promote diverse representation in events, business development, and leadership opportunities.
EVENTS & PLACEMAKING
- Signature District Events: Organize our popular street festivals that bring energy to downtown and support local vendors and entertainers.
- Cultural & Heritage Celebrations: Elevate local history, music, and traditions through programming and storytelling.
- Environmental Stewardship: Serve as stewards of the local environment by organizing impactful community cleanups and helping maintain the living shoreline at Phoebus Waterfront Park — preserving both the beauty and resilience of the Chesapeake Bay.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES & PLANNING
- Master Planning Support: Partner with city planning staff on long-term visioning and alignment with small area plans.
- Storefront Activation Strategy: Work to fill vacancies with tenants aligned with Historic Downtown Phoebus’ vision of family-friendly, neighborhood-serving business types.
- Economic Impact Tracking: Measure job creation, private investment, and increased property values in the district.
- Main Street Accreditation: Maintain standing with Virginia Main Street and Main Street America by tracking progress and outcomes annually.
Let’s Build Phoebus Together
Whether you’re a business owner, property investor, or resident — the Phoebus Partnership is your ally in building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable downtown.
