Award winning projects, entrepreneurs and volunteers honored
Main Street Iowa hosted the 32nd annual Main Street Iowa Awards celebration on Friday, April 13, at Hoyt Sherman Place in Des Moines. The program honored the efforts of those who work day in and day out to revitalize Iowa’s downtowns – the heart and soul of communities across the state.
Main Street Iowa has annually presented awards honoring outstanding accomplishments, activities and people making a difference in Main Street districts throughout the state.
Projects large and small are recognized and serve as outstanding examples of what historic commercial district revitalization is all about.
This year, 18 projects were selected to be recognized from the 117 competitive nominations submitted. The honors were presented by Governor Kim Reynolds and James Engle, director of the Iowa Downtown Resource Center (IDRC).
A group of 21 people including board members, spouses, and guests of Jefferson Matters: Main Street represented the organization. Jefferson received the following state awards and special recognitions:
• Outstanding Image Activity was awarded to the Promotion Committee for its Main Street Minute promotion. Short videos of merchants in the Main Street district were shared on social media with much success.
• The Itty Bitty Nitty Gritty Award went to the Economic Vitality committee’s Java & Juice events. The public is invited to businesses each Friday morning to enjoy refreshments and hear about the host business.
• An honorable mention for Total Building Rehabilitation was announced for the Kendall Building where Sensibly Chic is located.
Jefferson sent in seven nominations for the 13 categories of awards.
Roger Aegerter was honored as Jefferson Matters: Main Street’s Leadership Award for 2017 for his many hours spent helping the Tower View Team in its work with public art projects.
“The Main Street Iowa program is a powerful catalyst for local revitalization and community investment,” said Governor Reynolds. “As I travel across the state, I see over and over that Main Streeters are passionate, innovative and creative. They’re also committed to making their downtowns – and our state – a stronger, more sustainable place to live, work and raise a family.”
During the event, 13 communities were recognized for reaching significant benchmarks for the private dollar investments made in the purchase and revitalization of properties within their respective commercial districts. Avoca was recognized for reaching the $1 million-dollar benchmark in the last year and Fort Madison and Manning were honored for $3 million in local investment. Ames, Greenfield, Marion, Mount Vernon, Washington and Woodbine all attained the $10 million-dollar benchmark level. Mount Pleasant was recognized for achieving $20 million in local investment since being designated a local Main Street program in 2002 and Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village – New Bohemia, Marshalltown and West Des Moines reached the $50 million-dollar benchmark. The communities of Belle Plaine, Mount Vernon, Washington and Woodbine were recognized for 10 years of participation as designated Main Street Iowa programs.
Two special awards were presented during the evening. The Spirit of Main Street Award recognizes a person, organization, community or project that demonstrates the spirit of “Main Street at Work” in Iowa through innovation, support and commitment to economic development within the context of historic preservation. This award was presented to Darla Ubben (posthumously) of Conrad. The Signature Project Award recognizes an outstanding project that rises above the traditional award categories. This award was presented to representatives from the City of West Des Moines and the Historic Valley Junction Foundation for their involvement in the CoSign program in Historic Valley Junction’s historic commercial district.
