WE WON!!!

Washington, D.C. (March 2, 2009) — The National Trust Main Streets Center presented On Broadway, Inc., of Green Bay, Wisconsin, with one of the five 2009 Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA) during its annual National Main Streets Conference in Chicago on March 2, 2009. On Broadway, Inc., an official Main Street community, has been working in partnership with the City of Green Bay, local residents, property owners, the business community, and others in the city to spur reinvestment, support historic preservation, maintain a high quality of life, and grow the local economy.

The GAMSAs recognize exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America’s historic and traditional Main Street commercial districts. Since its inception in 1995, On Broadway, Inc., has recruited hundreds of volunteers, attracted 89 net new businesses, spurred the creation of 907 net new jobs, worked to lower high crime rates, helped in the rehabilitation of 91 historic structures, and experienced $4,269,970 in public investment and $49,943,503 in private investment.

In addition, On Broadway, Inc. has become a visionary developer—a complex role for a small nonprofit to play. In 2007, the organization purchased the vacant 22-acre Larsen Canning Co. site and is developing it into a mixed-use community, both through rehabilitation and new construction. This project will add eight blocks to the downtown and upon completion has the potential to add $100 million to the city’s tax roles. On top of that, the project is a contender for LEED certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

On Broadway, Inc., has been using the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Four-Point Approach®--a comprehensive preservation-based economic revitalization strategy. What was once a dilapidated part of Green Bay has become the leader of historic preservation in the city, as well as a trendy destination for shopping and entertainment.

“On Broadway, Inc., is a true innovator. Faced with high crime and nuisance businesses, the organization proved that having a vision and the support of the community can completely transform a neighborhood,” said Doug Loescher, the director of the National Trust Main Street Center. “This Main Street program has become a model for other communities to follow for sustainability.”

A national jury composed of previous award winners, community development professionals, representatives from government and foundations, and journalists who are active in community economic development and historic preservation evaluated the semifinalists and selected the five winners.

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 five winners receive national recognition for their excellence, a bronze plaque, and certificate commemorating the award, and GAMSA road signs as entrance markers to their award-winning commercial districts.

The four other GAMSA recipients include Federal Hill Main Streets in Baltimore; El Dorado Main Street in Arkansas; Downtown Livermore, Inc., in Livermore California; and Rehoboth Beach Main Street, Inc., in Delaware.

The National Main Streets Conference is the premier conference on preservation-based commercial district revitalization and an annual showcase of best practices, tools, and great ideas to create dynamic, livable places. National experts and practitioners in preservation-based commercial district revitalization convened in Chicago at the Palmer House Hilton from March 1-4, 2009. The 2009 National Trust Main Streets Conference is hosted by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Illinois Main Street, in partnership with the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation and AT&T.


PUBLIC: To register, or for more information about the 2009 National Main Streets Conference, please visit www.mainstreet.org/conference, or call 202-588-6219.

Established in 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center helps communities of all sizes revitalize their traditional historic commercial districts. The Main Street Center leads the preservation-based community revitalization movement and has proven that historic preservation and community-driven economic development effects lasting change. Currently active in more than 1,200 downtowns and neighborhood business districts, Main Street programs have generated more than $44.9 billion in new investment since 1980. Participating communities have created 370,514 net new jobs, 82,909 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 199,519 buildings, leveraging an average of $25 in new investment for every dollar spent on Main Street initiatives. For more information about the Main Street program and its widespread successes over the years, visit www.mainstreet.org.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation (www.PreservationNation.org) is a non-profit membership organization bringing people together to protect, enhance and enjoy the places that matter to them. By saving the places where great moments from history – and the important moments of everyday life – took place, the National Trust for Historic Preservation helps revitalize neighborhoods and communities, spark economic development and promote environmental sustainability. With headquarters in Washington, DC, nine regional and field offices, 29 historic sites, and partner organizations in all 50 states, the National Trust for Historic Preservation provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting us to our history and collectively shaping the future of America’s stories.