Rochester Touts Great American Main Street Status

With Rochester's newly minted status as a Great American Main Street Awards winner, Mayor Stuart Bikson sees big things on the horizon for the city and its downtown district.

"We feel this really puts us on the map as a downtown," Bikson said Tuesday during a press conference at the Royal Park Hotel touting the city's award. 

The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced on April 14 that Rochester had been chosen as one of just three winners in the U.S. in the group's 2013 Great American Main Street Awards.

The honor is rare and coveted amongst cities with vibrant and historic downtowns, and it turns out the third time was the charm for Rochester, according to Kristi Trevarrow, executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority. She said the DDA had submitted the city for consideration twice before.

The honor is given each year to new cities by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, but does not expire. Rochester received the honor on April 14 at the National Main Streets Conference in New Orleans. 

Rochester's downtown has transformed from a struggling mill town into a thriving Detroit suburb bustling with activity and events year-round.

Patrice Frey, president and CEO for the National Main Street Center, Inc., said it was Rochester's marketing and promoting capabilities with its variety of downtown events that helped it win favor with the organization.

"The fact that you've also got significant participation by the businesses and your volunteer base, many of us know that doesn't always exist," she said. 

Frey also credited the ongoing collaboration between the city and Oakland County.

"There's such a clear strong partnership between the Main Street program in the city and county," she said. "There's no question in my mind that that is what helps distinguish you, set you apart and make you the strong community that you are."