Fort Pierce, Florida, Honored with 2011 Great American Main Street Award®

National Trust for Historic Preservation Praises Leadership in Revitalization at Annual Conference

Posted May 23, 2011 | Contact pr@savingplaces.org or 202-588-6141

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced today that Main Street Fort Pierce is a winner of the 2011 Great American Main Street Awards® (GAMSA). Recognized as a leader by following the Main Street Four-Point Approach®, embracing sound historic preservation ethics and building strategic partnerships, Main Street Fort Pierce was honored at the Main Street Awards Ceremony during the National Main Streets Conference in Des Moines, Iowa.

The National Trust Main Street Center’s annual GAMSA winners are recognized for their exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing the nation’s historic and traditional Main Street commercial districts by using the proven Main Street Four-Point Approach®. Main Street Fort Pierce has led an impressive revitalization campaign over its 23- year history, uniting residents, elected officials and business owners with a vision for downtown that places its historic and cultural heritage at the center of its growth.  The results of that collaboration abound: restored historic facades; an attractive streetscape and waterfront; preservation-friendly building zoning ordinances; and the lovingly restored Sunrise Theatre, which had sat vacant for more than 20 years.

“Main Street Fort Pierce's revitalization strides, in spite of back-to-back hurricanes, are truly remarkable, and reflect the community’s strong will to rebuild and grow without sacrificing the city’s historic character,” said Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center.  “In a state that has seen extensive new development, Fort Pierce has distinguished itself by making its historic resources the building blocks for the future. Its vibrant, attractive district for shopping, entertainment and the arts is a testament to the power of that approach.”

The other four winners include Downtown Beloit Association, Beloit, Wis.; Old Town Main Street, Lansing, Mich.; Downtown Newark Partnership, Newark, Del.; and Silver City MainStreet Project, Silver City, N.M.

GAMSA winners demonstrate exemplary achievement in the process of strengthening their downtowns and commercial districts based on the following selection criteria:

Active involvement of the public and private sectors;

• Broad-based community support for the revitalization effort;
• Quality of achievements over time;
• Innovative solutions to significant problems;
• Commitment to historic preservation;
• Evolving track record of successful commercial district revitalization;
• Comprehensive revitalization effort: activity in all four points of the Main Street Four-Point Approach® to commercial district revitalization;
• Economic impact of the revitalization program; and
• Successful small business development.

The winners were selected by a national jury composed of former award winners, community development professionals, governmental agency representatives who are active in community economic development and historic preservation.

The Main Street Four-Point Approach® is a proven methodology for historic preservation-based economic development that was developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation 30 years ago and is used in more than 2,000 communities throughout the U.S.