Downtown organization recognized
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on July 30, 2006 2:04 AM
The efforts of the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. have been noticed from afar.
Recently, DGDC officials learned the group has received national recognition for commercial district revitalization from the National Trust for Historic Preservation's National Main Street Center.
"A National Accreditation means the Main Street program is meeting our national standards," Doug Loescher, director of the program, said in a news release. "The organizations we name each year ... are those that have demonstrated the skills needed to succeed in Main Street revitalization."
Criteria for receiving recognition include having an active board of directors and a paid professional manager to track economic progress and preserve historic Main Street buildings, officials said.
DGDC board president Mark Webb said the recognition came as a result of two ongoing projects recently undertaken by the group, the Downtown Master Plan and Neighborhood Revitalization Plan.
"These are two outstanding efforts that the DGDC board is working on in partnership with the city of Goldsboro," Webb said. "It is truly an exciting time to be an advocate for downtown Goldsboro."
Downtown Goldsboro joins 625 programs recognized by the Main Street Center this year. The trust was founded in 1949 and works with thousands of local community groups.
The DGDC will host a public forum Aug. 8 with recently hired urban designer Allison Platt. At the event, Goldsboro residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions, concerns and ideas on the downtown project.
Residents are encouraged to come out, as their input is vital to the long-term success of downtown revitalization, Ms. Platt said.