DOWNTOWN paducah

Downtown Paducah is a riverfront business district in the heart of Paducah, Kentucky. Home to over 160 businesses small and large, condos and apartments for residential living, and a world-class arts and entertainment scene that rivals any large city in the region. Recognized as one of America’s most beautiful Main Streets by Architectural Digest, this historic district is known for lively streets, sophisticated dining, and charming retailers.

Downtown Paducah | Paducah Main Street | Experience Paducah
Downtown Paducah | Paducah Main Street | Experience Paducah

Paducah Main Street

The Main Street® movement is a proven strategy for revitalization that can transform the way our community thinks about the management of our downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. Cities and towns across the nation know that a prosperous, sustainable community is only as healthy as its core. The Downtown neighborhood boundary defines the Main Street program area in Paducah, and our mission is to make Downtown thrive.

WHO WE ARE

Paducah Main Street is one part of the engine that helps drive the Downtown economy by focusing on business recruitment and retention.  We are dedicated to creating a vibrant downtown experience by promoting historic preservation, economic growth, and creative place-making for Downtown Paducah. Our work to promote Downtown as a district will make Paducah a prosperous, lively, and attractive destination for entrepreneurs and visitors. 

 

HOW IT WORKS

Paducah Main Street, winner of the Great American Main Street Award in 2010, is a local government program within the City of Paducah’s Planning Department that works to revitalize Downtown Paducah. Paducah Main Street is staffed by a full-time city employee who functions as the program’s Director, and is supported by a mayorally-appointed Board of Directors and community members that make up four committees. Each Main Street committee corresponds with one of the four National Main Street transformation strategies: Design, Promotion, Organization, and Economic Vitality. The Paducah Main Street program is recognized formally through local city ordinance (Ord. No. 2014-5-8140) and is funded annually through dedicated city resources.

This local Main Street program is a part of a larger network of cities transforming historic downtown districts through the Kentucky Main Street and the Main Street America organizations.

Paducah Main street Board

The Paducah Main Street program is supported by a mayorally-appointed board and city staff. Read more about the current board and staff members below.

Jeff Canter

Board Chair

“I moved to Paducah from Chattanooga in 1991 due to my father’s new job. I started my sophomore year at Paducah Tilghman. I have now lived and/or worked in downtown Paducah for over a decade.

Jennifer Frazier

Vice-Chair

“I am originally from Livingston County, however, I lived closer to Paducah so that is where I spent a lot of time. As a teenager I worked on the weekends with my aunt at the Executive Inn downtown.

Josh Linville

Board Member

“I was born and raised in Paducah. I lived in Illinois for a few years and then moved to Nashville where I studied and worked in the music industry. I then stepped away from that to become a barber.

Craig Bevers

Board Member

“I came to Paducah a couple of years ago for my job as Director of Cardiovascular Services, Baptist Health Paducah. But my wife was also born and raised here.

Laura Oswald

Board Member

“I have called this region home my whole life. My family is deeply rooted in this area, and my husband and I currently live in the historic Fountain Avenue neighborhood. 

J.T. Crawford

Board Member

“I am always proud to tell people I am from Paducah. My family goes back generations. There is truly no other place like it. It’s small enough to feel homey but large enough to have everything one needs to enjoy life.

Lucas Bremer

Board Member

“I have been coming to Paducah to visit family and friends my entire life, but decided to make this a permanent residence 5 years ago. I love that downtown has an urban vibe while maintaining a down-home feel.

Katie Axt

Main Street Director

“I came to the area a few years ago when my husband got a job teaching political science at Murray State. My family lives in Murray, and we come to downtown Paducah on weekends as an escape. 

Melanie Reason

Staff

“My Paducah story began when I moved home to Kentucky in the early 2000s. I wanted to be a part of this community.

Directions & Parking

Find Downtown from Interstate 24, exit 11, travel in from the South Side using the business loop of Highway 60 and Wayne Sullivan Drive, or cross the North Side neighborhood into Downtown from the Brookport Bridge and Illinois

CONTACT US

Please contact us with any questions or comments. We'll get back in touch as soon as we can.

Note:  If you have comments or questions regarding the downtown Farmer's Market, festivals, Live on the River, or the Riverfront Concert Series, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 1400 H.C. Mathis Drive (270-444-8508).

Paducah Planning Department

(2nd floor of City Hall)
300 South 5th Street
Paducah, KY 42003

270.444.8690

2020 © Paducah Mainstreet, All rights reserved.