Culpeper – 2012 Great American Main Street Awards Semi-Finalist

Congratulations to the Town of Culpeper, which was recently named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the top 10 semi-finalists for the 2012 Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA). The semi-finalists have demonstrated their ability to preserve their unique history while creating and maintaining vibrant, successful commercial districts that serve as the heart [...]

Staunton in Preservation Magazine

The recent history of one of Virginia travelers’ favorite Main Street  communities was recently showcased in Preservation – The Magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Secret of Staunton’s Success explains how the city used historic preservation as an economic engine to transform the downtown. Starting with the restoration of a handful of [...]

Radford – Past the Tipping Point

According to WDBJ7.com, Radford is past the “tipping point” and Main Street Radford’s vision to create “a destination district widely recognized as the best place in the New River Valley for an independent business to succeed and grow” is becoming a reality. Entrepreneurs are setting up shop in once empty storefronts, and visitors can add [...]

Hopewell Celebrates Virginia Main Street Designation

A kickoff event celebrating Hopewell’s designation as an official Virginia Main Street (VMS) community was held Thursday, January 12 at the Beacon Theater in downtown Hopewell. At the event, the VMS staff presented the town with road signs signifying its designation as a Main Street Community and joined with local officials in remarking on the [...]

Small City Placemaking Conference and Festival to happen in Roanoke

Cityworks (X)po, a conference and festival about creating energetic places in small cities, will take place in Roanoke on October 27-30. The event, spearheaded by entrepreneur and placemaker Ed Walker, will highlight best practices in creating, governing and participating in a vibrant cultural life in small cities. Some of the nationally-recognized speakers and performers include James Howard Kunstler, Kennedy [...]

Downtown Improvement Grants Awarded

Five Designated Virginia Main Street (VMS) Communities have been awarded 2011 Downtown Improvment Grants.  This year, VMS communities served by CSX Transportation rail lines were eligible for a match of up to $5,000 from the corporation, pushing the awards from $2,500 to a total of $7,500.  Waynesboro and Winchester will receive CSX Transportation VMS Downtown Improvement Grants. Communities [...]

Staunton rallies for the Sears Hill Bridge

The creative spirit of the Downtown Staunton community is driving a playful public engagement strategy around the restoration of the Sears Hill Bridge. The pedestrian bridge, which had linked the Sears Hill neighborhood and Downtown Staunton for more than 100 years, was condemned in January 2010. Restoration of the bridge will cost about $200,000, and the community is pulling together to make [...]

Virginia Sesquicentennial Tourism Marketing Program

Organizations all over Virginia are preparing for the statewide 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Emancipation, the Virginia Sesquicentennial.  Historic Manassas, Inc., a Virginia Main Street program, in coordination with the City of Manassas, is gearing up for the commemoration with a four-day event, July 21 -24, 2011, featuring living history demonstrations, speakers, art, music, [...]

Milestone Achievement Awards Luncheon speakers announced

Virginia Main Street is pleased to announce that the keynote speaker for the 2011 Milestone Awards will be nationally recognized sustainable preservation expert Jean Carroon, FAIA, LEED AP. Ms. Carroon’s focus on the renovation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings has culminated in a portfolio of award-winning civic, institutional, and religious structures, many of which are landmark [...]

Downtown Rehabilitation: Challenges and successes

Virginia’s downtown districts are teeming with historic buildings. While many of the buildings house businesses and offices, others, left vacant, have fallen into disrepair. Three Virginia communities have recently undertaken rehabilitation projects to revamp key historic assets into modern local landmarks—without detracting from their charm. In Roanoke, the recycling collection business Brenner and Cycle Systems, Inc. is working [...]