For many of us the word village connotes a small community with businesses that sustain the residents who live in close proximity. The word most certainly has a sense of history attached to it as well. We generally think of villages as having been in existence for a long time, with a history and character that are unique. Imlay City is no different we posses a great deal of history, as well as the charm and appeal that makes small town America tick. The history of Imlay City includes commerce from its earliest days as a major stop on the railway, to the growth and inception of M-53 as the “new” main street for Imlay City business.
Today, residents, commercial enterprises, and public services co-exist in the village area. The railway, no doubt a large asset throughout our history, continues to provide both recreational (The Polly Ann Trail) and commercial assets as well as a beautiful historic setting for our village.
Public Improvements such as the Gateway Improvement Project and streetscape improvements are slated to begin construction as early as July of this year, speak well to the character of the community as well as the desire of its citizenry to improve the local area.
The Imlay City’s Downtown Development Authority’s mission is to enhance the village by encouraging an environment conducive to business activity. We know that public spaces; safe streets and sidewalks; and a strong residential community will all help our businesses grow and thrive. But, we also know that our businesses must do their part by preserving the historical nature of the buildings they occupy and by actively improving and maintaining the appearance of properties.
These guidelines are a means to that end. We’re dedicated to preserving the historic traditions and styles of the village. We believe that the preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse of architecturally and historically significant structures is critical to preserving the community character.
We also know that first impressions mean a lot. While good service, attractive prices, and the right merchandise or services are necessary for and business to survive, appearance is also a crucial element of your success as a business owner here in the Imlay City Historic Depot District. A storefront that is clean and inviting has the advantage of attracting potential customers by projecting images of success and prosperity. In other words, to bring new customers in, you have to look good! Luckily, looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Often it is the small, cost-effective details that make the difference in retaining regular customers as well as attracting new ones. Sweeping entries, cleaning sidewalks, maintaining window displays, and caring for plantings demonstrate to the public that there is a sense of pride in both the business and the neighborhood.
The goal of the Main Street Program is to revitalize our village commercial district while preserving the historic tradition and style of the village. We want you to be successful, and one way to do that is to make the district more attractive not only to potential customers, but also to potential investors or potential business owners.
The Downtown Development Authority has developed this complete set of guidelines to help you make the right choices in maintaining, repairing, or rehabilitating your storefront. Naturally, any renovations or changes to signs will have to meet Imlay City’s zoning and building code standards as well. We hope you refer to these guidelines and take advantage of the services that we can offer as you make your decisions on improving the quality of your building. | 
