Main Street Waterbury

Snares Two Awards

Main Street Waterbury was honored for its efforts to restore Waterbury City Hall.

   Connecticut Main Street Center has announced the recipients of its 2011 Awards of Excellence.  Award-winning initiatives and individuals are engaged in Main Street revitalization in New London, Simsbury, Waterbury, Westville Village in New Haven, and Torrington. 

   “Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) developed this awards program in 2003 to stimulate, encourage and support our member network,” said CMSC President & CEO John Simone.  The program was created to recognize outstanding projects, individuals and partnerships in community efforts to bring traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts back to life, socially and economically.  The Connecticut Main Street Awards annually celebrate and communicate the most successful and innovative efforts in Main Street revitalization in Connecticut.

   “Common themes that emerged in this year’s award-winning projects included the ability of each recipient to engage the community and encourage public dialogue about the needs of the neighborhood, as well as understanding the target markets for their districts and encouraging Main Street entrepreneurs.  This year’s winners are catalysts for further investment in Connecticut’s Main Street districts.” said Simone.

   Jurors for the 2011 Awards Program included Jason Vincent, AICP, Vice President of Planimetrics and the President of the CT Chapter of the American Planning Association; Barbara Naugle, the 2005 Connecticut Main Street Executive Director of the Year and currently Director of Development for the Knox Parks Foundation; and Kristiana Sullivan, Vice President of Marketing of Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Inc.  Submissions were judged on criteria which included innovation, replication, representation and partnerships utilized, and outcome. 

   Awards will be presented at the Connecticut Main Street 2011 Awards Gala on June 6th at the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre in Downtown Torrington.  Webster Bank is the “Welcome to Main Street” reception sponsor.  Additional Awards Gala sponsors include The United Illuminating Company, Connecticut Natural Gas, Southern Connecticut Gas, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, Pitney Bowes, CEDAS, Colliers Dow & Condon, Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPTV & WNPR), Yale University, Connecticut Economic Resource Center and Corporation for Independent Living.

   Waterbury has won two awards as nominations were presented to the jury by Main Street Waterbury earlier in the year.  In the category of Historic Preservation, the Cass Gilbert City Hall building won.

   Historic Preservation – recognizes efforts to preserve and enliven a historic structure, landscape or natural asset in the Main Street district, resulting in widespread community support, quality improvement in the physical environment, and the preservation of a community landmark.  The Waterbury Development Corporation, the City of Waterbury and the City Hall Rededication Committee will be recognized for their efforts in this regard.  CMSC will also recognize Decarlo & Doll and Downes Construction Company for their efforts.

   Main Street Waterbury CEO Carl Rosa stated, “We are very pleased that the jury agreed with our assessment and nomination of what is the most impressive historic preservation project in the State.”

   In the category of Adaptive Reuse of a Building, the Hodson Building at 70 Bank Street won.

   Adaptive Reuse of a Building – recognizes a project that utilizes new and/or alternative use of a building(s) in a mixed-use environment, and honors building improvements that look beyond the outside of a building to include appropriate changes to the interior and upper floors, resulting in a dramatic effect on the quality and value of the district.  Building owner Parag Mehta RA, AIA will be recognized for his efforts.

   In addition to the Awards, Main Street Waterbury was informed that they have achieved a National Accreditation from the National Main Street Center for the 7th straight year.  Waterbury joins New London, Upper Albany Avenue Hartford, and Simsbury Main Street programs to share this distinction from Connecticut.  The formal announcement will be made today at the National Main Street Conference in Des Moines Iowa.

   Connecticut Main Street Center is a statewide nonprofit that inspires great Connecticut downtowns, Main Street by Main Street.  Its mission is to be the champion and leading resource for vibrant and sustainable Main Streets as foundations for healthy communities.
Main Street Waterbury is a grassroots, downtown management and revitalization program in the context of historic preservation.

   Through improving the physical appearance of downtown Waterbury, promoting its architectural and cultural assets, organizing volunteer initiatives, sponsoring events, and fostering public/private partnerships, Main Street Waterbury hopes to economically rejuvenate Waterbury’s downtown district without sacrificing its character or heritage. For more information visit www.mainstreetwaterbury.com