Illinois Main Street Day 2009

Tonya is in the Capitol today representing Elgin. Last night was dinner at the Governor's mansion with fellow main streeters.

Elgin Receives Three Awards for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization

Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn concluded the 13th Annual Illinois Main Street Downtown Revitalization conference November 14 and 15 held in Waukegan with the Lieutenant Governor Awards for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization. The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) with Community partners brought back to Elgin three awards recognizing local efforts.

The 2005 Block Walk Report Project completed by the DNA Design Committee was a co-winner of the Design Committee Project, the Judson College Partnership with DNA won in the Partnership Development category, and lastly Giants: African Dinosaurs Created by Project Exploration/ Dinos on Parade was a co-winner in the Special Event category. The Downtown Neighborhood Association also received designation as a Premier program through the Illinois Main Street Program, which there are only seven of in Illinois out of sixty-nine communities.

Present to receive an award for the 2005 Block Walk Report was architect, Eric Pepa, urban planner and landscape architect, Paul Bednar, and construction contractor, Rick Krocza as active DNA Design committee participants in this project. The judges declared,” This was a wonderfully proactive approach and a great model for other Main Streets.”

Present to receive an award for the Judson College Partnership was Provost & VP for Academic Affairs, Dale Simmons, Architecture department chair Dr. Curtis Sartor, and students Josh McGarvey, Nickolas Coile, John Wetendorf, Aaron Wood, and recent graduate Maria Sierra. One judge commented, “What a great use of their resources! The students benefit from practical experience and the community reaps the awards!”

Present to receive the “Giants: African Dinosaurs Created by Project Exploration/ Dinos on Parade” award from Gail Borden Public Library was Carole Medal, executive director, Karen Maki, deputy director, Denise Raleigh, director of communications and Jean Bednar, library board member and foundation trustee. The judges declared this a “Dino-mite project” that Gail Borden Public Library, the community and DNA took part in. The project was a success because of a tremendous number of people that contributed.

Illinois Main Street communities from throughout the state submit their best projects for the annual awards. A distinguished panel of judges, including economic development specialists, historic preservation architects, and downtown professionals made the award decisions.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office administers the Illinois Main Street program, which has 69 designated communities, with an additional 25 introductory communities on the way. It is based on a national model that offers communities help with issues of historic preservation, economic development and downtown improvements. Illinois has the 4th largest program out of the 40 plus states that belong to the National Main Street program administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

2006 Illinois Main Street Conference

Don't miss the Illinois Main Street conference in Waukegan on November 14th and 15th.
Elgin's own Paul Bednar will be presenting a session on Block Walks.

Register Online for the Conference
Registration Sheet for Printing Out
Agenda and More Info (.pdf file)

UPDATE
This just in. Elgin is a finialist in the following four categories of the 2006 Illinois Main Street Awards:

• Design Committee Project - Block Walk Report
• Special Event or Festival - Gail Borden Library's GIANT Exhibit
• Partnership Development - DNA & Judson College Partnership
• Heritage Tourism Activity - Cinco de Mayo Festival & Parade

The winners will be announced at the Lt. Governor’s Awards for Downtown Revitalization dinner on November 15th in Waukegan.

You won’t want to miss this year’s awards event rivaling the Oscars and the Tony Awards! The sounds of the Harrison Bankhead Trio will serenade you during the reception with hors d’ oeuvres and cash bar. Then you’ll be escorted to your seat in the theatre where the celebration will continue. Lt. Governor Pat Quinn will present the Awards for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization and recognize new and outstanding Main Street communities. Everyone is a star this night when the curtain rises and dinner is served on the Genesee Theatre stage. Semi-formal attire requested. Dinner is $50 make your reservation at Register Online for the Conference Registration or Registration Sheet for Printing Out.

Illinois Main Street Architects to Visit Downtown Elgin

The Downtown Neighborhood Association has invited IHPA architects to conduct a workshop, offer design advice, and lead a building maintenance tour for business and property owners.

Architects from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA), working through the Illinois Main Street program, will be in Elgin all day on Tuesday, October 24 to provide businesses, agencies, and building owners design assistance through presentations, one-on-one sessions, and a walking tour. The state architects provide these services at no charge to Illinois Main Street communities like Elgin.

Downtown Neighborhood Association’s (DNA) Design Committee co-chairs Eric Pepa, Paul Bednar, Betsy Couture, and Dave Segel have worked with the Illinois Main Street architects to develop a full day of design assistance for Downtown Elgin.

Schedule
8 a.m. - Sessions on visual merchandising and low-cost design improvements at the DNA offices at 2 Douglas Avenue. Coffee and pastries will be served.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - One-on-one design assistance sessions with downtown business and property owners. Any interested Downtown Elgin business owner, agency or property owner can schedule an appointment by calling the DNA in advance at (847) 488-1456.

12 p.m. - Lunch


4:30 p.m. - The IHPA staff will discuss proper maintenance and repair of historic downtown buildings. There are several maintenance issues that, if addressed early, can save building owners tremendous amounts of time and money in the long run. This well-illustrated presentation identifies common causes of deterioration in historic building materials and examines necessary and appropriate repair techniques.

5:30 p.m. - IHPA staff will lead an hour-long tour of buildings in downtown Elgin, focusing on positive aspects of storefronts and areas where conditions might be improved. The public is welcome to attend the morning and afternoon sessions and tour. Packets will be available that discuss the various grants and tax credits available for downtown buildings from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and from the City of Elgin. In addition, information will be available regarding design assistance from the IHPA, the City of Elgin, and the Downtown Neighborhood Association.

To RSVP for any of these sessions please contact DNA at (847) 488-1456 by October 20.

Main Street Showcase

Yesterday, I spent the day in the atrium of the Thompson Center promoting Elgin. Main Street representatives from Batavia, Genoa, Libertyville, Lombard, Pontiac, Prophetstown and Waukegan were spreading the word that there is life in the downtowns of cities of all sizes.



Some of the reasons people stopped to chat.

• Three people asked about the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and took brochures (None of them knew we had a symphony)
• One was considering a move to Elgin and another visitor's daughter had just moved here.
• Two people had recently stopped in Elgin while biking.
• A couple from South Elgin commented on the improvements.

Links to the materials.

Downtown Directory

Oct/Nov Illinois Main Street Newsletter

The October/November Illinois Main Street newsletter is available here.

April "Word on the Street" Newsletter

The April Illinois Main Street newsletter is available.

Main Street Day Part 2

Main Streeters from all over the state gathered on the capitol steps for a group photo. Where's Max?

Listening to the press conference in the rotunda.

The Gieske family happened to be in Springfield and stopped by to visit. You can’t hide, Elginites are everywhere.

Is this a future lawmaker? He has all the tools.

Main Street Day 2005 Report

Elgin was well represented by Joe and Armida Dominguez along with RuthAnne Hall and Steve Munson (taking picture). Our booth attracted a lot of attention thanks to the generous donations of pastries from Pastigel Bakery and award winning salsa from Akina’s Thai Restaurant, it also made for a good lunch as there wasn’t any time to eat with the busy schedule.

Mike Jackson, from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (not the other Mike Jackson), stopped by for conversation and eats.

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn sampled the salsa and visited. He commented on the great Main Street State Conference held in Elgin in 2003 and had time for a photo op.


The man in the hat next to the Lt. Gov is Max, the new symbol of Illinois Main Street. You’ll be seeing him in promotions, a new web site and maybe visiting a town near you. Six legislators from across the state joined the press conference in the rotunda. That is up from last year.
More photos and stories later, I have to go for now.

Main Street Day in Springfield

April 14th is Main Street Day in Springfield

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will represent Elgin at the second annual Main Street Day in Springfield. It is a great opportunity to share the fact that It’s Happening Here with the rest of the state. We will have a display in the capitol along with the other Illinois Main Street communities. The event takes place on April 14th in the state capitol. Pass the word to your friends and colleagues to stop by the booth if they’re downstate on the 14th.

Two Additions to Illinois Main Street

Main Street Momence and the Downtown Bloomington Association were officially designated as Illinois Main Street Communities. We welcome you to the family. The March edition of the "The Word on the Street" has all the details.

Last Chance for Upstairs Downtown Workshop in Rock Island

Just a reminder that the deadline for registering for the UPSTAIRS DOWNTOWN workshop is approaching fast! That's right March 30th is the deadline, less than one week away!! You can print registrations from the link below, they need to be mailed with payment to Renaissance Rock Island.

Remember Rock Island knows how to have a good time! Join us on April 7 and 8 in Rock Island for a 2-day workshop on the adaptive reuse of upper floors in downtown commercial buildings. For more information on UPSTAIRS DOWNTOWN, visit www.Illinois-History.gov.