DowntownInitiatives
Supporting a Thriving Downtown
Heart of Brevard serves as the voice of downtown, representing the interests of local businesses, property owners, and residents. We advocate for smart growth, quality of life, and long-term investment in the Heart of Brevard district. Through ongoing communication with city and county officials, we elevate downtown concerns, support sound policy, and help shape decisions that impact our district.
Our advocacy goes beyond business—it includes support for important social and civic issues that affect the health and vibrancy of downtown. We are committed to preserving the unique character of Brevard while improving infrastructure, economic opportunity, and overall livability.
Heart of Brevard provides helpful resources for doing business downtown, including grant programs, planning tools, and up-to-date information on challenges and opportunities facing our district. We offer funding through our own grant programs and assist businesses in identifying additional opportunities at the state and national level.
Public Art
Public art is a key focus for Heart of Brevard, adding character and vibrancy to downtown through murals, sculptures, and other installations. In 2024, we collaborated with the City of Brevard and community partners to establish a Public Art Process that guides the development of art projects on public property.
One of the first completed projects was the Loretta Mary Aiken Mural, part of the NC Music Mural Project, which celebrates local history. Grant funding is available to support future public art initiatives that continue to enrich our downtown.
ANNUAL WALKABLE CENTER ASSESSMENT
Since 2020, Heart of Brevard’s Built Environment Committee has conducted the Walkable Center Assessment three times to evaluate downtown Brevard’s physical environment. This process helps identify short- and mid-term priorities aimed at making the area safer, more accessible, walkable, and vibrant for residents and visitors alike. The assessment focuses on safety concerns, maintenance needs, enhancement opportunities such as adding trash bins or bike racks, aesthetic improvements, and other observations. The findings from these evaluations are used to support funding requests during City Council budget and priority-setting discussions, helping guide targeted improvements that enhance the overall experience and vitality of downtown Brevard.
EMPLOYEE PARKING PROGRAM
In April 2025, Heart of Brevard launched a pilot parking program that provides 25 dedicated parking spaces for downtown employees, helping to alleviate parking demand for visitors and customers. This initiative aims to make parking easier and more accessible throughout downtown Brevard. The program is made possible thanks to the generous partnership with Comporium, who provided use of their parking lot, and support from the City of Brevard, which manages enforcement.
Historic Preservation
Downtown Brevard has a rich history and preserved historic buildings. Walk through the Main Street District to discover what makes Brevard so special. Enjoy the Co-Ed Theater, an Art Moderne theater that speaks to Hollywood’s Golden Age. Walk by the Aethelwold Hotel, where John D. Rockefeller and former President William Taft stayed, or visit a pillar of this community since 1881- the Transylvania County Courthouse. There are endless opportunities to peek into the past. Several of our buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In 2018, the Joint Historic Preservation Commission (JHPC) in partnership with the Heart of Brevard and the Rowell Bosse NC Room of the Transylvania County Library collaborated to produce the Brevard Historic Downtown Walking Tour Guide, highlighting many of the historic buildings in the Main Street National Historic District.
City Beautification
An integral part of the City’s downtown revitalization plan is elevating the physical appearance of downtown so it is a vibrant, attractive, and safe place to do business, live, and visit. The Downtown Master Plan Committee and Heart of Brevard Design Committee merged in 2017 to increase the aesthetics in downtown through streetscape and sidewalk enhancements.
WEST MAIN BIKE LANE PROPOSAL
The West Main Bike Connectivity Proposal focuses on expanding safe, accessible bike routes into the heart of downtown Brevard.
At the core of this proposal is a plan to connect the current terminus of the Estatoe Trail and the future Ecusta Trail directly to the center of downtown. By adding dedicated bike lanes, improved infrastructure, secure bike parking, and safer crossings, we aim to create a seamless and welcoming experience for cyclists linking regional trail systems to our downtown core.
Beyond transportation improvements, this initiative is a significant economic driver for downtown Brevard. Connecting high-traffic trails to the business district encourages more bike traffic, which translates to increased footfall for local restaurants, retailers, and service providers. Cyclists stopping in to shop, dine, or explore contribute to measurable visitor spending that helps sustain and grow our small business economy.
As we look ahead, this project remains a critical component of our long-term vision—a more connected, accessible, and vibrant downtown Brevard.