Federal Hill Wins "Great American Main Street" Award at Chicago Meeting

CHICAGO -- On Monday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation honored the Federal Hill Main Street Program with its 2009 Great American Main Street Award at the opening session of the National Main Streets Conference (see photo). The award recognizes exceptional accomplishments in revitalizing America’s historic and traditional main street commercial districts. The award winners were selected by a national jury.

Representing Federal Hill's program at the meeting were Board President AMY Grace, Executive Director Jane Seebold, Federal Hill Business Association President Sonny Morstein (a founder of the Federal Hill Main Street program), former Executive Director Bonnie Crockett, and volunteer Jeanine Turner.

Federal Hill Main Street was selected for exemplary achievement in strengthening its commercial district. Since the program’s inception in 2000, more than 85 new businesses have opened and stayed open in Federal Hill. This accomplishment, coupled with grant-funded redevelopment projects, corporate sponsorships, and matching façade grants for business renovation, has improved the look and the substance of the business district of the community. The program is credited with leveraging public and private funds for millions of dollars worth of investment in Federal Hill.

For more details on the 2009 award winners, visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation web site.