About Paducah Main Street
Paducah Main Street, a 2023 Accredited Main Street AmericaTM, a 2024 Nationally Accredited Kentucky Main Street Program, and winner of the Great American Main Street Award in 2010, serves as a model for communities throughout the nation. Selected by a nationwide jury of community development experts, Paducah proves that incremental progress and persistence pay off, creating economic vitality, a unique sense of place, and a greater commitment to community by all of its residents.
Paducah Main Street partners with business owners, property owners, and citizens through historic preservation and effective marketing, maximizes the potential of the unique historic district by focusing on business recruitment and retention, and believes that promotion of the district will make Paducah a thriving, vibrant, and attractive destination, benefiting the entire community.
Mission
Paducah Main Street is a division of the Paducah Planning Department dedicated to giving a vibrant downtown experience by promoting historic preservation, economic growth, and creative place-making for the Paducah downtown historic district and LowerTown Arts District. Paducah Main Street unites the community by utilizing the National Main Street Four Point Approach and focuses on community assets and partnerships to preserve and promote historic Paducah.
Contact and Follow Paducah Main Street
Paducah Main Street
270-444-8690
Transition to Independent Agency Effective July 1, 2025
At its May 27, 2025, meeting, the Paducah Board of Commissioners authorized a contract between the City of Paducah and Paducah Main Street. The Main Street function is transitioning from a division of the Planning Department to an external agency with a contract for services with the City. This contract for services is effective July 1 and will expire in five years.
As outlined in the contract, the City of Paducah will pay Main Street $400,000 for fiscal year 2026. At the same time, Main Street will be conducting fundraising efforts to offset the need for the entire payment from the city. Future payments by the City to Main Street will be based on fundraising results by Main Street. However, the City’s intent is to lower its financial support as Main Street gains traction as an independently operating organization.
In consideration for the City funding, below are a few of the services outlined in the contract that Main Street shall perform for and on behalf of the City:
- Adhere to the Four Principles: Organization, Design, Economic Vitality, and Promotion embodied through the committee structure of the Main Street model.
- Promote economic development, historic preservation, monetary investment and market downtown Historic Paducah through a yearly work plan following the four-point approach. Maintain liaison with the Kentucky Heritage council and Kentucky Main Street program and prepare for the City reports or materials required by and for the Main Street program to maintain accreditation as applicable.
- Work in partnership with planning staff to administer both the existing Main Street incentive programs in addition to all others created in conjunction with this contract.
- Work in conjunction with various festival boards, other non- profits located in the district as well as the Convention and Visitors Bureau to provide the city with a consensus of downtown stakeholders on actions needed to resolve problems and support the common goals of the downtown district.
- Work with Realtors and property owners to maintain a current available property list and promote through social media outlets.
- Create and maintain a website as well as other social media outlets to promote businesses and events in the Historic district.
- Support Main Street area businesses through promotional activities and continue to increase downtown participation through hosting promotions and events.
- Work with and/or employ Festival Coordinator to facilitate the BBQ on the River Festival and monitor information on the BBQ on the River website as well as provide support to other downtown festivals.
- Work in partnership with the Columbia Theater LLC to Market the Columbia Theatre.
As part of the contract, Main Street agrees to work with the City to appoint a Board of Directors of five to seven people. The Board also approved an ordinance at the Maty 27, 2025, meeting repealing Chapter 2 Division 15 of the Paducah Code of Ordinance related to Main Street.
- Paducah Main Street Board Members and Meetings
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Meetings
The Paducah Main Street Board established by Paducah Code of Ordinances Section 2-571 through 2-574 meets on the last Monday of the month at 3 p.m. in the Team Room at City Hall located at 300 South 5th Street unless otherwise noted. Recent agendas are below:
March 25, 2024 Agenda
March 4, 2024 Agenda (Note: This is a change in the meeting date and location. This meeting will be at Over/Under at 314 Broadway.)Paducah Main Street Board Minutes
Board Members
The Board is approved to have seven to nine members who serve for four-year terms.
Craig Beavers
Lucas Bremer
Craig Newbern
Jessica Rumsey
Brian Shemwell
David Wilkins
Committees
There are several committees that work to advance the mission of Paducah Main Street.
- Main Street Organizational Committee
- Main Street Promotions Committee
- Main Street Economic Development Committee
- Main Street Design Committee
- Downtown Development Programs
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Paducah's historic downtown has a long history of commitment by its business owners. More than $100 million has been invested in historic downtown since the start of the downtown revitalization efforts more than 20 years ago. With more than 4000 employees working and living in historic downtown and the LowerTown Arts District, businesses have access to a steady flow of customers. Many stores are celebrating more than 25 years of success in Paducah's historic downtown. Plus, new unique boutiques, fabulous restaurants, and specialty shops have been added to our collection.
The Planning Department offers several programs to encourage development, beautification, rehabilitation, and stabilization of the Historic Downtown area. Assistance also is provided in completing state and federal applications for historic tax credits.
- Entertainment Destination Center
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A section of Paducah’s historic downtown is an Entertainment Destination Center. The Center boosts restaurant and hospitality industries by allowing customers to take to-go alcoholic drinks in designated cups from participating businesses to stroll our historic streets, browse the windows of our local boutiques, watch the towboats on the river, and partake in outdoor events.
- Downtown Parking
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Are you planning a trip to historic downtown Paducah? More than 500 parking spaces are available in the heart of downtown along the streets. Plus, there are several FREE public parking lots with more than 1000 total spaces.
