On Thursday, January 25, Carl and Brenda Page were honored as 2006 Main Street Champions at the North Carolina Main Street Annual Awards Dinner in Morganton, NC. The Pages were selected for this special recognition by Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro in appreciation of their exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process. Along with Champions from 30 other communities, the Pages were presented a certificate commemorating their designation by NC Assistant Secretary of Commerce Cleve Simpson, Main Street Assistant Coordinator Meg Dees and Office of Urban Development Director Rodney L. Swink, FASLA.
Each of the state’s active Main Street programs is given the opportunity annually to recognize a local Main Street Champion. The dedication and hard work of countless volunteers is required to make a local Main Street program successful, and the Main Street Champion designation acknowledges the extraordinary efforts of those persons who have played pivotal roles in the revitalization of their downtowns.
“Dedicated individuals like those of you we honor here tonight are vital to the success of North Carolina's local Main Street programs. From the developer who adapts old buildings for new uses, to the city council that funds the work of the local program, to the volunteer who plants and waters flowers on Main Street, everyone who invests their time, money or talents in downtown is investing in the future of their community,'' said Swink. ''Main Street Champion designation is our tribute to you, our way of thanking you for your varied and numerous contributions to the Main Streets in all our lives.''
In nominating the Pages for this honor, Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro offered the following:
Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro, Inc. is proud to recognize Carl and Brenda Page as North Carolina Main Street Champions. They have both given considerable time, effort and money to the betterment of our Main Street.
Carl and Brenda Page purchased the historic 1920s era building located at 923 Main Street in early 2003. They were actively looking for a larger office space as they were quickly out growing their leased space. Before the restoration, the original façade was hidden by metal slip covering, and the building was considered a non-contributing property in the historic district. They had the metal siding removed and had the building deemed a “certified historic structure” by the National Park Service. The Pages worked with Tim Simmons of the NC Historic Preservation Office to use tax credits for the restoration of this building. This has encouraged other property owners to realize the benefits of working with the tax credit program and lead to the use of tax credits in the restoration of the building adjoining the Page’s property.
Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro considers it an honor to recognize Carl and Brenda Page as our 2006 North Carolina Main Street Champions.
Main Street is a downtown revitalization program for smaller towns based on economic development within the context of historic preservation. The North Carolina Main Street Program, which provides technical assistance to its communities, is part of the Office of Urban Development in the Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance.
In 1980, North Carolina was one of six original states, selected from 38 that applied, to launch the work of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center. The North Carolina Main Street Program began working with its five original cities – New Bern, Salisbury, Shelby, Tarboro, and Washington – in September 1980 and has since grown to include 57 communities across the state.
For more information on Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro visit their website at www.DowntownNorthWilkesboro.com or contact Melissa Smithey, Executive Director at (336) 667-4875.
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