City leads state in Main Street awards
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on April 5, 2018 5:50 AM
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The City of Goldsboro, Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation, the Arts Council of Wayne County and David Weil partnered in a series of projects, including the wind chimes on Walnut Street, that were recognized by the North Carolina Main Street Center for Best Innovation - Cool Projects.
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Julie Metz, left, Goldsboro downtown development director, with Gretchen Reed, winner of the Main Street Champion award, during the Main Street Conference in Clayton
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An award of merit was given for the Best Public-Private Partnership in Historic Rehabilitation for Goldsboro Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.
The city of Goldsboro led the state in receiving the highest number of 2017 N.C. Main Street awards during a recent ceremony in Clayton.
The city, along with 14 other communities, captured four awards recognizing excellence in downtown revitalization efforts during the annual Main Street Conference.
"These award-winning projects have made a significant difference to their communities, bringing new jobs, new activities, businesses and new investment to their main street and small town main street communities," said Liz Parham, director of the N.C. Main Street and Rural Planning Center of the N.C. Department of Commerce.
"We are proud of the change that these communities are making as a result of the Main Street America program and its principles."
The city received awards for Best Innovation, Best Public-Private Partnership in Downtown Revitalization, Best Endangered Properties Rescue Effort and the Best Historic Rehabilitation Project.
The cities of Garner and Wilson followed Goldsboro, with each city receiving two awards each. Other cities receiving awards include Warrenton, Edenton, Wake Forest, Clayton, Elizabeth City, Newton, Roxboro, Elkin, Tryon, Boone, Smithfield and Sanford.
"While we have always been grateful for the awards we have received since the state program initiated the awards program, this year was particularly meaningful in that three of the four awards received were for significant investment projects," said Julie Metz, Goldsboro downtown development director.
"We have been recognized numerous times for innovation, organization and promotion-type efforts, but this is the first year that the economic development category has dominated Goldsboro's acknowledgments.
"I am so honored to be working with the folks that have made these projects happen and are bringing positive attention to Goldsboro."
In the Best Innovation category, the city captured the award for its effort, in collaboration with the Goldsboro Downtown Development Corp., the Arts Council of Wayne County and David Weil, for a series of projects designed to re-energize downtown with cool, fun, thought-provoking and artful amenities, said Erin Fonseca, Goldsboro downtown development promotions coordinator.
The projects include the addition of wind chimes on Walnut Street, the art alley located behind the Arts Council on John Street, downtown banners and the community piano in front of the Waynesborough House on Center Street.
The best public-private partnership award included the city's efforts in securing a $200,000 N.C. Rural Economic Development grant and providing $100,000 for the development of Goldsboro Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, at 300 S. Center St.
The project led to development of a former vacant 11,000-square-foot property, generated new jobs and added a dental practice to downtown.
The Best Endangered Properties Rescue Effort was presented for the redevelopment of three historic properties on the 200 block of North John Street. The site is now the location of Goldsboro Brew Works and five second-story apartments.
The Best Historic Rehabilitation Project was presented for the rehabilitation of the former Goldsboro Drug Co. property at 101 N. Center St., which added commercial space on the ground level and apartments on the second floor.
Gretchen Reed, the DGDC promotions chair, was also recognized during the awards ceremony as a 2017 Main Street Champion for her commitment and role in promoting the downtown area.
Metz called Reed one of downtown Goldsboro's most treasured assets in her nomination letter.
"One of the characteristics we love about Gretchen is that she doesn't just recommend a project in hopes that someone else will do it," Metz said. "She does it.
"Whether it is attending state or national Main Street conferences, planting flowers, painting quote boards, prepping for events, meeting with business owners, or chairing a committee, Gretchen has done most everything in her seven years as a DGDC board member, and she has done it all with passion and enthusiasm."
The city of Goldsboro has received a total of 30 Main Street awards, since the program started recognizing communities across the state in 2001, Fonseca said. The most awards captured by the city on one year is four, with Goldsboro also receiving four awards in 2007 and 2008.