10. The Hastings Downtown is well lit, walkable and pedestrian friendly. The district covers an area that is 3 blocks wide and 5 blocks long and home to a diversified mix of successful retailers and service providers.

9. The Hastings Downtown is surrounded by natural beauty and mixed uses. You can live Downtown, Canoe the Thornapple, play soccer or take a walk on the Tyden Park river trail. Parks, schools, neighborhoods and industry are all within blocks of the Downtown.

8. The Hastings Downtown and surrounding community is full of pride that is evident in the maintenance and embellishment of their new and historic structures and the creation of themed streetscapes and landscaping complete with banners, benches, trash receptacles, historic lighting, planters, decorative fencing, Holiday decorations and brick pavers. 

7. The Hastings Downtown is full of activity. The streets and sidewalks are moving with pedestrians, walking, on bikes and with strollers. It is not uncommon to see much of the parking on the streets and in the city parking lots full.

6. The Hastings Downtown is alive at night. A shopper or diner can expect to find shops and restaurants open in the evening with people milling around.

5. The Downtown is home to many seasonal events such as Summerfest, Jazzfest, Fridays at the Fountain, Art Hops, the Christmas Parade, the St Patrick's Day Parade, Sidewalk Sales, Girls Night Out, and the year around Sculpture Tour.

4. The Hastings Downtown is close to our regional shopping district and national retailers and service providers. They complement each other more than they compete. A visitor is offered the ability to shop both since they are in close proximity and offer uniquely different experiences.

3. The Hastings Downtown is the site of the County Seat - Barry County and is fortunate to have such a beautiful Court House and Square located within it. The County continues to invest in the Downtown creating a campus like setting. Many special events take place on the Court House Lawn and the County provides many needed services to our Community.

2. The Hastings Downtown is located on your way to everywhere. The City center is almost equal distance to and from Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Lansing and Kalamazoo .

1. The Hastings Downtown is supported by its Community, its Merchants and the City. The Downtown Development  Authority offers grants for private and public events, infrastructure, physical improvements and marketing of the Downtown. Merchants participate in monthly group meetings and help fund and staff events in the Downtown. Locals and visitors alike make frequent return visits to our vibrant Downtown.