Rochester Earns 2013 Great American Main Street Honor

Rochester's treasured downtown earned a major accolade on Sunday.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced Sunday that Rochester was chosen as a 2013 Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA) winner.

With the distinction, Rochester is recognized as a national leader in embracing sound historic preservation practices and building strategic partnerships.

Kristi Trevarrow from the Rochester Downtown Development Authority traveled to New Orleans over the weekend to accept the award at the National Main Streets Conference. 

"We're very excited about it," Trevarrow said. 

Trevarrow said the distinction isn't just a one-year honor.

"Once you're a Great American Main Street, you're always one," she said. 

Trevarrow said the DDA was notified of the award in February, but was not able to speak publicly about it until it was announced Sunday in New Orleans. The Rochester DDA, she said, is in the works of planning an event to mark the honor and will work to include the distinction in its future marketing efforts.

The National Main Street Center’s annual GAMSA awards recognize exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing the nation’s historic Main Street commercial districts.

The Rochester DDA had a crucial role in transforming a mill town that had fallen on hard times into a thriving suburb of Detroit built around a strong sense of place and community.

A robust mix of public events, creative use of social media and a broad spectrum of volunteer involvement has attracted a loyal following to downtown Rochester. The DDA’s Big Bright Light Show draws 1 million visitors each holiday season to enjoy 1.5 million lights—lighting up local merchants’ cash registers in the process.

“The Rochester DDA is a true innovator in marketing and small business assistance, and has the vibrant downtown to prove it,” Valecia Crisafulli, acting director of National Main Street Center, said. “At a time when many municipalities are losing population, Rochester has experienced a 20 percent increase in population. With a 4 percent vacancy rate downtown and 132 new businesses since adopting the Main Street Approach, the DDA can take great pride in creating an inviting place for people to live, shop and open businesses.”

Rochester City Manager Jaymes Vettraino said the downtown district is a "jewel for the region" and an integral part of the community.

"To be nationally recognized is a great honor for the city of Rochester and our entire region," Vettraino said. 

He credited the DDA with maintaining a thriving Main Street.

"I'm proud of work the city and DDA have done for many years to build Main Street and maintain Main Street and support businesses," Vettraino said.

The other two 2013 winners are H Street Main Street in Washington, D.C., and Ocean Springs Main Street in Ocean Springs, MS. Winners were selected by a national jury composed of former award winners, community development professionals, and governmental agency representatives who are active in community economic development and historic preservation.