Connecting the Community: New Commons and Streetscape Bring Residents Together

EDGE partnered with the City of Shelby to reimagine the Main Street corridor, transforming a once flood-prone and underutilized stretch into a defining public amenity. Through an inclusive planning process involving residents, business owners, and civic leaders, a cohesive vision emerged—one that links the city’s downtown, greenway system, and key civic destinations into a connected, walkable, and vibrant public realm.

The transformation of Shelby’s downtown began with a strategic planning effort focused on economic vitality and quality-of-life improvements. A new city gateway feature takes inspiration from the historic Shelby Arch and establishes a new iconic landmark. The Main Street corridor also received targeted enhancements including street trees, planters, site furnishings, crosswalks, and traffic calming measures, creating a more walkable, inviting environment. These upgrades complement the north–south greenway that extends along the Black Fork River, connecting downtown to key civic facilities.

At the heart of this effort is Black Fork Commons, a dynamic civic space completed in October 2023. The multi-use park and community commons features a flexible plaza, generous lawn areas, interactive water features, a splash pad, and a welcoming fireplace. Shade structures, ample seating, and colorful planting beds encourage daily use, while infrastructure improvements support larger events, including the annual Shelby Bicycle Days festival. Designed to host year-round programming, the Commons has become the centerpiece for Shelby’s most anticipated gatherings and celebrations

By aligning design vision with actionable implementation strategies, the City of Shelby and EDGE have strengthened connections between people, place, and history. Black Fork Commons and the downtown streetscape enhancements are not only catalysts for economic activity but also enduring spaces for community pride and shared experience.