Georgia Downtown Award Winners Recognized at 2005 Statewide Downtown Conference

Madison, Georgia – October 18, 2005 – The Georgia Downtown Association and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs honored organizations and individuals for their outstanding achievement and improvement in Georgia’s traditional downtowns. Presentations took place at the annual Georgia Downtown Conference October 5-7 2005 at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center. 

   As the premier conference on downtown revitalization in the state, this event is a conduit to promote downtown and economic development through public awareness, governmental relations and education. The conference provides an opportunity to downtown and community development professionals and state and local leaders to grow their knowledge regarding programs, activities and tools to aid in revitalization efforts. The event brought over 250 of Georgia’s downtown professionals together to develop strategies for bettering their downtown business district. The host City of Madison is a leader in quality development. Participants learned first-hand how maintaining a strong downtown within the context of historic preservation and using good development principles is being practiced in downtown Madison. 

   Doug Loescher, Director of the National Main Street Center in Washington DC was the keynote speaker at the opening plenary sessions

   This year marks the 25 year Anniversary of the nationally acclaimed National Main Street Program as developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Georgia Main Street program is one of the original 6 states selected as the pilot program in 1980.

   Since 1980 over 1.36 billion dollars has been invested in 105 designated Georgia Main Street and Better Hometowns with over 30,842 new jobs added and 6,673 new businesses opened.

   The Georgia Downtown Awards were established to recognize individuals, downtown programs and/or businesses that have demonstrated unique efforts in making a difference in their downtowns. The award categories are based on the 4 Point Approach™ of downtown revitalization as developed by the National Trust’s Main Street Center and focus on Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring. The Georgia Department of Community Development also presents an outstanding leadership award and The Georgia Downtown Association selects one city to be honored for overall excellence in downtown development each year.

   The 2005 Downtown Awards ceremony was held during a costume gala with many participants attired in fashions from 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s creating a fun and festive celebration of the decades. Winners were announced against a backdrop of images featuring photos of winning projects, people and events interspaced with graphics of TV favorites from the past. 

   The following awards were presented by Mr. John Cheek, an architect with HOK Planning Group and President of the Georgia Downtown Association and Mr. Bill Parrish, Director of the Office of Downtown Development, Georgia Department of Community Affairs. These two organizations co sponsor this annual downtown conference and the awards.

   Kathryn Willis, Jim Dugan (Duluth Councilmember) and Alisa Willams (Downtown Manager for Duluth) were on hand to accept these awards. The City of Duluth was the only City presented with two awards.

   Most Valuable Volunteer ~ Kathryn Willis Main Street Duluth 

   Kathryn Willis has lived in downtown Duluth all her life, operated a family business, and has seen many changes. She and her family donated downtown property to the new Town Green and became part of the citizens group to envision the master plan. The new Town Green grew from the need to have more space for Duluth’s Annual Fall Fest, this year in its 23rd year. Since 1982 Kathryn Willis has been at the heart of this festival’s organization and success. From the first few years of making no profit, to last year’s proceeds of over $100,000.00, Kathryn has been one very successful voluntary coordinator. The committee she now leads has over 300 volunteers.
Kathryn is always willing to help with anything that will make downtown a better place and never seems to tire of contributing to projects. If you are in Duluth, chances are Kathryn is there with a smile and her sleeves rolled up.

   Best Downtown Special Event ~ “Barefoot in the Park” Main Street Duluth 
Downtown Duluth as gone beyond the traditional arts and crafts fair and focuses on the Fine Arts throughout the county. The event kicked off with wine tasting from wine makers across the nation, and included a taste of Metro Atlanta’s finest restaurants. In addition, 75 local and regional fine artists were hosted by a committee of city and county employees, local theatre groups and businesses. The “Children’s Art Park” got over 1,000 kids in-touch with their “inner artist” as well as promoting awareness for the arts at early ages and in schools. No disciplines were neglected, and Duluth used its outdoor amphitheater for continuous performances throughout the event. A total of $3,000 in awards were given out to deserving artists and $6,000 was raised to help support the arts.