Downtown Augusta, Maine
the beating heart of Maine's capital city!
This is an exciting time in the history of our neighborhood and we at the Augusta Downtown Alliance can't wait for you to get in on the ground floor of all the changes happening.
A community full of opportunity
Augusta Downtown Alliance is part of a thriving authentic community in Maine. A focal point for life and entertainment in central Maine, by fostering and improving the quality of life, promoting downtown and beautifying our historic city center as a source of pride for residents and visitors alike.
Began In
2011
150+
Local Businesses
Our Story
Who We Are
The Augusta Downtown Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant and thriving downtown Augusta. As the heart of Maine's capital city, we work to enhance the economic and cultural vitality of our downtown district.
Founded in 2011
Articles of Incorporation filed: 8/9/2011 - "To promote the historic preservation, protection and use of Augusta's traditional downtown area, including that area's commercial, civic and religious enterprises and residences and to disseminate information of and promote interest in the preservation, history, culture, architecture and public use of Augusta's traditional downtown area, and adhering to its mission."
Our Mission
The Augusta Downtown Alliance fosters a vibrant, welcoming community by enhancing the economic, cultural, and social vitality of downtown Augusta. We achieve this through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and preservation of our historic downtown character.
Our Vision
We envision a downtown Augusta that is the thriving heart of our region—a welcoming, walkable, and economically vibrant destination where people live, work, shop, dine, and gather to celebrate our unique community.
2013
Became an accredited Main Street.
Today
From historic streets to modern gatherings, Augusta’s downtown offers something for everyone
Downtown Alliance Leadership
Meet the people who have dedicated themselves to Augusta’s success.
Board President
Laura Briggs - Augusta Downtown Alliance Board President,
Director of Operations - Bread of Life
With a background in human resources and employee relations, Laura manages budgets, policy adherence, and staff development for Bread of Life. Prior to joining the Downtown Alliance and Bread of Life, she held the role of Operations Lieutenant with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office. Laura obtained her Associate in Mental Health from Kennebec Valley Community College.
Under Laura Briggs’ leadership, the Augusta Downtown Alliance is not just imagining a stronger downtown — it’s actively building one.
Laura is deeply committed to her community, participating in several councils and boards, including NAMI and the Maine Department of Corrections advisory committee. In her free time, Laura enjoys outdoor activities such as kayaking, swimming and hiking.
The Augusta Way Of Life
Welcome to Downtown Augusta — the beating heart of Maine's capital city!
Named one of DownEast Magazine’s Best Places to Live (2020)
Augusta is undergoing a revival that blends historic architecture, emerging local entrepreneurship, and a growing array of amenities all within a small, compact urban neighborhood. Developers and young local business-owners have transformed upper-floor office space into apartments, revamped brick storefronts on Water Street, restored historic buildings, and brought in a range of new restaurants, bars and shops. This combination gives residents the chance to live, work, shop and play in the same walkable downtown core along the Kennebec River making it attractive for people seeking Maine-style urban living with strong upward momentum. Don’t dis ‘Gusta!
Get Involved
We are revitalizing Downtown Augusta, and we need your help
Volunteer & make a difference!
Are you interested in volunteering?
Our volunteers are active, they have fun and they make a difference. And we are always looking for more volunteers to help us!
The ADA is part of the Main Street Maine program, which is a proven Four-Point Approach® to downtown revitalization developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 and is currently used in 44 states in over 2,200 communities.
You can view our four committees below, which we are accepting volunteers for!
New Businesses
Family Attractions
New Residents Downtown
New Investments
Meets
ModernOur Downtown Life
Take a look at some of the people, places, and moments that define the Augusta Way of life.
