guided by a vision of what Downtown can be
The Downtown Garner Association is the foremost advocate for Main Street’s economic revitalization and charged with casting a vision for its future – one that is borne out of asset-based economic development strategies, market analysis, community input, and a long term public-private commitment to downtown revitalization.
Our Vision Statement
Developed with feedback from downtown stakeholders in cooperation with the Downtown Garner Association and the North Carolina Main Street Center, this vision statement is an integral part of DGA’s annual strategic plan for downtown economic revitalization. It builds off of existing community assets, key partnerships, and the commitment of the Town of Garner.
Historic Downtown Garner connects our small town roots with our future as a growing crossroads of cultural arts, recreation, and creative entrepreneurship in the community.
Through private development, public investment, and historic preservation, we’re expanding our downtown to become the destination for local flavor and flair in Garner.
History & Context
of Downtown Revitalization
Historic Downtown Garner Plan
In 2009, a public-private partnership between the Town of Garner and the Garner Revitalization Association (now DGA) led to development of the Historic Downtown Garner Plan, a strategic economic development guide for downtown revitalization.
The HDGP had three objectives: 1) to facilitate a market-based planning approach to enhance the Downtown Area from Vandora Springs to Jones Sausage Road, 2) to create a community-based vision to guide the character of future development in Downtown Garner, and 3) to develop an Action Plan to guide GRA and the Town of Garner over the next 10 years including public investment and phasing strategies.
By 2015, the town and GRA had set in motion or implemented all feasible tasks identified in the HDGP, including development and passage of downtown and parks bond proposals in 2013; key infrastructure investments in stormwater, transportation, sidewalk, and streetscape improvements; and perhaps most importantly, the construction of a brand new 40,000 sq. foot Recreation Center on Main Street to serve as a civic anchor to the historic business district. The Recreation Center opened in 2021 and has played a major role in downtown development.
Garner Forward Comprehensive Plan
The 2023 Garner Forward Comprehensive Plan was developed to guide future growth, conservation, and development decisions throughout the community. It is intended to relate to other town plans, policies, and ordinances in place, or that may be developed in the future, and provide guidance to other government agencies preparing plans or programming projects that may affect the town’s planning area.
The document builds upon the vision, guiding principles, and recommendations presented in the 2018 Garner Forward Comprehensive Plan, and provides more focus and clarity related to expectations for community character, land use mix, and quality development expected in the planning area. Important and relevant items from the 2018 plan are presented again in this version of the document. The new document also contemplates a future where Garner is a major center of economic activity in eastern Wake County.