MAINE DOWNTOWN ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
2006 -
Call for Nominations
The Maine Downtown Center is proud to announce its 2006 Awards Program designed to recognize the best of what is happening in Maine’s downtowns!
The purpose of these awards is to celebrate excellence in downtown revitalization across the state. All communities are encouraged to apply, regardless of status with the Maine Downtown Center.
Awards will be
given in eight categories. A Selection Committee of the Maine Downtown Center
Advisory Board and other downtown revitalization experts will review submitted
nominations and determine award recipients.
All Maine
communities are invited to submit nominations.
Award
Categories
Downtown Visionary Award
This award recognizes a Maine
individual with extraordinary passion for downtown revitalization, a vision of
how increased downtown vitality can be achieved both to benefit our state
economy and quality of life, and whose actions inspire others.
Downtown Leadership
Award
This award recognizes a Maine
individual whose leadership galvanizes positive change in his or her downtown
district and whose actions and leadership style most embody the principles of
the Main Street Approach. The Downtown Leader’s actions and commitments provide
an inspirational role model at the local, regional and state level.
Outstanding Downtown Volunteer
The award is designed to recognize
outstanding volunteer efforts (individual, couple, organization) that have made
a significant positive impact in a downtown revitalization program.
Outstanding Economic
Development Initiative
This award
is designed to recognize an outstanding economic development initiative(business
retention program/activity, business recruitment program/activity and business
expansion projects considered) that has positively impacted the economic
vitality of the downtown commercial district.
Best Façade
Improvement Project under $20,000
This award recognizes the best
single façade renovation project using $20,000 or less. The physical design of
the façade should enhance the commercial district in appearance or function and
encourage further design improvements.
Outstanding Building
Rehabilitation Project
This award is designed to
recognize excellence in the comprehensive rehabilitation of a single downtown
building (public or private). Projects can include interior and/or exterior
building rehabilitation, including roofs, and should enhance the commercial
district’s appearance and function as well as encouraging other
rehabilitations.
Outstanding
Downtown Promotions Program
This award recognizes an outstanding promotional
program (project, event, printed item or program) that significantly increased
an identified target audience’s participation in the downtown district.
Outstanding
Public/Private Partnership
This award recognizes a successful project that received outstanding public AND private sector support in its planning AND execution stages. Support can be financial or in-kind (such as volunteers).
Downtown Achievement Award Nomination Guidelines
1. All entries must concern a project, program or effort that has been successfully completed between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006.
2. Entry Deadline: Wednesday, August 31st, 2006. All nominations must be postmarked or delivered to the offices of the Maine Downtown Center by 4 p.m. on the 31st to be considered. Late nominations will not be considered.
3. A community can submit up to 3 entries per category. A separate entry form must be completed for each entry. Click here: NOMINATIONS FORM to download a PDF
file of the nomination forms, or contact Lisa Merrill at the Maine Downtown Center for copies:
207.626.3119.
4. All materials submitted become the property of the Maine Downtown Center and will not be returned.
5. Each entry should include supporting documentation as noted on nomination form.
6. Project photos are REQUIRED, and must be submitted in originals as well as electronically (.tif or .jpg formats preferred). Photocopies are not acceptable.
Award Selection
1. Entries will be judged by a panel of experts selected by the Maine Downtown Center that may include members of the Maine Downtown Center Advisory Board, architects, business and community leaders.
2. Judges reserve the right not to award any or all categories or to give more than one award in each category.
3. The judges will seek to award entries across a variety of community sizes and project budgets.
4. The decisions of the judges are final. Finalists will be notified in September 2006. Awards will be presented at the Maine Downtown Center’s Annual Conference on October 11th in Waterville during the morning plenary session.
