Our Impact on Downtown Calera
Building a Stronger Downtown, Together
Since its designation as a Main Street program in 2019, Calera Main Street has been working to create a vibrant, welcoming and economically healthy downtown while preserving the character and history that make Calera unique.
Through partnerships with the City of Calera, local businesses, property owners, community organizations, volunteers, sponsors and state and regional partners, we have helped turn ideas into projects, bring new businesses downtown, create new events and attract significant reinvestment.
The result? Downtown Calera is moving forward.
Revitalizing Downtown
Calera Courtyard
One of our most visible accomplishments has been the development of the Calera Courtyard, creating a new gathering place in the heart of downtown.
Phase I brought together:
- A community pavilion
- Public restrooms
- A playground
- Additional parking
- Landscaping and streetscape improvements
- Underground power
The Courtyard provides a place for residents and visitors to gather, attend events and enjoy downtown Calera.
And we’re not finished.
Plans are underway to extend the Courtyard and further connect downtown through additional public-space improvements.
Activating Downtown’s Alleys
Through our Alley Activation project, Calera Main Street transformed an underutilized space into a more welcoming part of the downtown experience. Coca-Cola United helped us recreate our historic Coke mural and a custom metal archway created by Sloss Metal Arts was installed as a focal point. We officially dedicated the alley in September 2024.
Projects like this demonstrate how relatively small investments can make a meaningful difference in the appearance, walkability and experience of downtown.
Preparing for Downtown’s Future
Our Rear Façade Improvement Plan focuses on improving the appearance, accessibility and functionality of the rear elevations of downtown buildings along Highway 25, including improvements such as:
- Awnings
- Signage
- ADA accessibility
- Improved rear entrances and access
These improvements will continue across the downtown area.
Growing Downtown Business
A thriving downtown needs thriving businesses.
Calera Main Street works with entrepreneurs, property owners and community partners to encourage business development and make downtown a place where businesses can succeed.
Since our designation, we’ve helped support the opening of 14 new downtown businesses, creating jobs and contributing to a dramatic reduction in downtown vacancies.
We also work to promote existing businesses through events, marketing, special promotions and increased foot traffic.
A healthy downtown isn’t just about buildings. It’s about the people and businesses inside them.
Building Partnerships & Leveraging Investment
Great downtowns don’t happen through the work of one organization.
Calera Main Street has developed partnerships with local, regional and statewide organizations to bring additional resources and investment into downtown.
Our partners and funding sources have included:
- City of Calera
- Main Street Alabama
- Innovate Alabama
- Alabama Power Foundation
- Norfolk Southern
- Cawaco RC&D Council
- Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
- ALDOT
- Vulcan Materials
- State of Alabama Tourism Department
- Community sponsors and local businesses
Through grants and partnerships, we’ve been able to leverage local resources into larger projects and improvements that benefit the entire community.
Recognized for Our Work
Calera Main Street’s work has received recognition at the state level.
2025 Main Street Alabama Awards
Calera Main Street was recognized with:
- Excellence in Planning and Public Space Award
- Excellence in Business Promotion Award
- Excellence in Marketing Award
The Work Continues
Every accomplishment represents another step toward the downtown Calera envisions for its future.
Our work continues through:
Business Development
Supporting entrepreneurs and encouraging new investment downtown.
Historic Preservation
Protecting and celebrating the character and history of Calera.
Public Spaces
Creating attractive, functional places for people to gather.
Events & Community Engagement
Giving residents and visitors more reasons to experience downtown.
Partnerships & Grants
Leveraging community resources to make larger projects possible.
Marketing & Promotion
Telling the story of downtown Calera and the people who make it special.
Downtown Calera is changing.
And we’re just getting started.
Calera Main Street is committed to preserving our past, investing in our present and building a downtown that serves our community for generations to come.
