Downtown Revitalization

In any city, the downtown area is often seen as the front door of the community—the welcome mat… a gathering place… a preview of what the community has to offer. Auburn’s downtown has long played an important role in the social and economic vitality of the city. After all, it was on the main streets of downtown that the “Home of the Classics” really began to take shape.

Auburn’s downtown will play an even greater role in our future. Downtown will be where our small, yet progressive, community continues to thrive—and creates a sustainable and economically feasible future for the residents and businesses of Auburn.

Champions for Downtown

The Downtown Auburn Business Association (DABA) has partnered with the Auburn Downtown Advisory Committee (ADAC) to champion downtown revitalization efforts. The groups partnered with the City of Auburn Building, Planning & Development (BPD) Department to conduct an extensive feasibility study and outline plans for redevelopment and enhancement. The plans—now part of the City of Auburn’s master plan—include a number of organizational, promotional, design and economic restructuring objectives that will:

• Build upon Auburn’s strengths and assets, as well as leverage the community’s “Home of the Classics” legacy
• Create a viable retail, business and government center
• Enhance the tourism base by leveraging existing events and festivals such as the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Festival, Auctions America by RM and other downtown events
• More easily connect and link downtown to adjacent neighborhoods and community resources

DABA and ADAC have also partnered together to implement the Auburn Downtown Facade Improvement Program. As a matching grant program (up to $2,500), the program focuses on the improvement of existing buildings in the downtown area. Grants may be used for exterior building improvements, exterior lighting, and new or renovated signs and awnings.

More information: Downtown Facade Improvement Program Brochure

Downtown Revitalization Sustainable Guiding Principles

The vision for Downtown Auburn is being guided by a number of elements that we believe lend itself to a sustainable and economically viable future.