Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn Presents Two Awards to Batavia MainStreet for Downtown Revitalization Efforts
11-10-05

Springfield, IL: Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn concluded the 12th Annual Illinois Main Street Downtown Revitalization conference November 8 and 9 held in Springfield with the Lieutenant Governor Awards for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization. Batavia MainStreet was a state finalist in three categories, including two for Organization and one for Design categories.

Batavia received their first award in Organization in the Membership Brochure/Materials category. Batavia MainStreet underwent changes in 2004-05 to rebuild the identity of their organization and updated and restructured membership brochure was a crucial piece of the overall changes. The 2005 brochure reflects the professional, yet natural feel of the downtown with information about MainStreet, the importance of downtown, how to become a partner as well as a volunteer. The brochure was designed by Organization volunteer, Lisa Smith Youngdahl of Batavia. The "Menu of Opportunities" was developed to put all MainStreet partnering opportunities for the year in one brochure that also doubled as an image builder. The Menu was designed by Anderson Advertising Design, also of Batavia.

Batavia's second state award was also in the Organization category, but for their Creative Fundraising Campaign "Be a Player Downtown" Partnership Program. Batavia MainStreet's "Be a Player Downtown" was a kick off event for the annual membership drive. The Monopoly themed event was a collaboration of Gilfillan Callahan Architects (GCA) of Batavia and Batavia MainStreet. GCA designed and covered the costs for the invitations, buttons, T-shirts, oversized title deeds, catering and other items to further the Monopoly theme. In turn, MainStreet volunteers stuffed and mailed or hand delivered the invitations to 500 businesses, civic leaders MainStreet volunteers, and GCA guests. The event was held last March and raised over $9,000 that evening, and $18,000 for the entire annual fund campaign. This event proved to be just what Batavia MainStreet needed to breath new life into the program, the volunteers, and the city itself by successfully raising awareness about the MainStreet program in Batavia.

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, downtown professionals and representatives from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity made the award decisions.

Lieutenant Governor Quinn addressed the 200 banquet attendees, noting, "The Illinois Main Street program provides communities with cutting edge tools and advice about how to make their downtowns a special destination. We've made a lot of progress in 12 years and are looking forward to new innovations in the year to come."

In addition, the Lieutenant Governor conveyed the status of "Premier Program" on four organizations for their exceptional downtown revitalization efforts. They were Downtown Crystal Lake, Jacksonville Main Street, Historic Quincy Business District and the Downtown St. Charles Partnership.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the National Main Street movement. Galesburg, IL was one of four pilot program communities in the country that helped launch the Main Street program.The Illinois Main Street program helps communities create their own vision for downtown preservation and growth. Main Street architects also assist with design feedback and ideas. Illinois has one of the largest Main Street programs in the country with 63 participating communities.

The Lieutenant Governor's Office administers the Illinois Main Street program. It is based on a national model that offers communities help with issues of historic preservation, economic development and downtown improvements. Illinois is one of 40 states that belong to the National Main Street program administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. For more information about the program and upcoming events, visit www.IllinoisMainStreet.org.

The Batavia MainStreet Program is one of 63 not-for-profit, community based organizations in the state of Illinois. The mission of Batavia MainStreet is to enhance the identity of Batavia's downtown area as the heart of our community. MainStreet members work through the four points: Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization and Promotion to improve the downtown district. MainStreet volunteers believe the revitalization of Downtown Batavia is essential to our community's sense of pride, place, and heritage for this and future generations. For more information Batavia MainStreet or to volunteer, please contact Britta McKenna at (630) 761-3528, email britta@downtownbatavia.com or visit www.downtownbatavia.com.