Find out what's happening downtown! Conway Main Street, U.S.A.'s Downtown
Update newsletter is emailed monthly.
QUARTERLY MERCHANT MEETINGS
Merchant meetings give members an opportunity to discuss topics of
interest and share feedback.
DOWNTOWN CONWAY SHOPPING & DINING GUIDE
Conway Main Street, U.S.A. publishes the Downtown Conway Shopping & Dining Guide.
All downtown retail businesses and restaurants are listed in the brochure which
includes a handy locator map. This information is updated twice a year.
PUBLICITY PROGRAM
Members can utilize the Shop Downtown Conway First public information program.
Spreading the word about new and exciting products or events within your business
is easy. Conway Main Street will distribute your information to local media outlets
for consideration. In addition, all special events, sales, classes and other items of
Member news will be posted on www.conwaymainstreet.com for easy access by the public.
DESIGN SERVICES
In an effort to restore and rehabilitate the historic
buildings in the downtown area, the city of Conway approved an ordinance in 1989 called
the Historic District Design Guidelines. The boundaries of the district are: Kingston Lake
to Elm Street and Second Avenue to Fifth Avenue. The riverfront area, below Second Avenue,
is covered by the Riverfront Guidelines.
Design improvements to the exterior of
buildings, or facades, in these districts must be approved in advance through the
city planning department. Such improvements include: signage, paint, awning
installation, or any exterior renovations.
The Conway Main Street USA program provides Design Assistance to merchants and
property owners who are making exterior alterations. Once the Conway Main Street
Design committee reviews the proposals and assists with the design, the appropriate
city review board must approve. The Community Appearance Board oversees the
Downtown Historic District and the Riverfront District. This board meets twice monthly.
To encourage appropriate facade rehabs and to provide some financial assistance,
the Conway Main Street USA program offers Facade Incentive Grants. These 50%
matching grants of up to $1,000 are awarded to businesses as an incentive to make
improvements that will enhance the downtown streetscape.
Architectural services through the South Carolina Downtown Development
Association are available. Owners or tenants of those buildings in need of color
renderings which show appropriate rehabilitation and color selections, may apply
for these free services through Conway Main Street USA.
Through a cooperative public-private effort, Historic Downtown Conway has made
great strides since the late 1980's. The rediscovered architectural details of these
early 20th century buildings are a beautiful testament of Conway's heritage
