Baltimore Selected by National Trust Main Street Center to Host 2012 National Main Streets Conference

Successful Program of National Trust for Historic Preservation Combines Economic Development and Historic Preservation

Posted March 17, 2011 | Contact pr@savingplaces.org or 202-588-6141

Washington, D.C. (March 17, 2011) – The National Trust Main Street Center, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that combines historic preservation and economic development, announced today that it selected Baltimore, Maryland as host for the 2012 National Main Streets Conference, April 1-4, 2012. 

The four-day National Main Streets Conference is the only commercial district revitalization, educational and networking event that blends economic development, community revitalization and historic preservation. It provides a forum to share knowledge, best practices and innovative ideas with professionals and volunteers from small and rural towns, suburban communities and large and midsized cities from across the nation.

“Baltimore is a city that has magnificently leveraged over two hundred years of heritage to enrich the visitor and resident experiences,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We look forward to Baltimore hosting our 2012 National Main Streets Conference and hope that other communities will learn from this model of successful community revitalization driving economic development.”

We are pleased to once again have the National Trust Main Street Center select Baltimore City to host the 2012 conference,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Ten years ago, as Mayor of Baltimore we created the Baltimore Main Streets program to focus resources on revitalizing the business districts in the city’s historic neighborhoods and as Governor, my Administration continues to assist cities and towns reach their full economic potential through the State’s Main Street Maryland program.  The conference offers not just Baltimore City, but the State of Maryland the opportunity to highlight the successful public-private partnerships, job creation and business growth that has resulted from the Main Street approach.”

Rich in famous historic landmarks and diverse character, Baltimore is home to Fell’s Point, the U.S.S. Constellation, Fort McHenry and Edgar Allan Poe’s grave. Over the past several years, the city has invested in its past to drive people to its eclectic cultural offerings, from the famous Inner Harbor and Orioles baseball games to entertainment venues, museums and historic sites.

"It is a great honor for Baltimore to have been selected twice by the National Trust Main Street Center to host the National Main Streets Conference,” said Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, mayor of Baltimore. "This conference is a tremendous opportunity to showcase Baltimore's strong, vibrant neighborhoods and businesses."

Now in its 10th year and with 10 Main Street communities throughout the city, Baltimore Main Streets is breathing new life into a mix of urban neighborhoods, from Historic Fells Point to business districts like Waverly Main Street. Historic Federal Hill was also a recent winner of a Great American Main Street Award®. To learn from Baltimore’s success, conference participants will have the opportunity to tour several nearby Main Street districts.    

The conference offers educational sessions and tours on the Main Street Four-Point Approach®—a proven strategy for comprehensive commercial district revitalization—as well as related topics including fundraising, organizational development, marketing, business assistance, planning, volunteer recruitment, visioning and advocacy. It also features sessions and tours focused on the still to be announced conference theme.

“The Baltimore Main Streets Team is excited to welcome our colleagues back to Baltimore,” said Donna Langley, director of Baltimore Main Streets.  “Our selection as the host city is indeed an honor and indicates the tremendous growth and success experienced by our Main Street neighborhoods.  We look forward to sharing all of our progress, not just in Baltimore, but throughout the region.”

Since its founding in 1977, the National Trust Main Street Center® has helped communities throughout the nation use historic preservation-based economic development to revive their commercial districts, strengthen local economies and increase civic engagement. In cities, counties and states, it has created a nationwide network with more than 1,200 active Main Street communities. The conference supports the ever-growing Main Street Network of Main Street board members, volunteers, and executive directors as well as planners, architects, public officials, BID/MID staff and others working in the revitalization field.