Downtown Elgin honored for businesses
On Nov. 15, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn recognized a number of downtown Elgin projects and businesses at the annual Lt. Governor's Awards for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization held in Danville.
The awards recognize projects that promote vitality and historic preservation in designated Illinois Main Street communities such as downtown Elgin.
The Downtown Neighborhood Association's "I Spy" Architectural Treasure Hunt took home the award for best design committee project.
In an effort to educate kids about downtown Elgin's rich architectural character, the DNA's design committee created a pictorial treasure hunt map showcasing architectural details on historic downtown buildings.
The DNA design committee, chaired by local landscape architect Paul Bednar, is made up of more than 15 local volunteers.
The city of Elgin, Hitchcock Design Group and the Elgin Riverfront Committee were co-winners in the Public Improvement award category, with the design and construction of Festival Park. The 3-acre park near the Grand Victoria Casino has become a center of activity in downtown, drawing more than 5,000 people to its many events and festivals and significantly enhancing the downtown's image.
On any given summer day the park is full of children and families enjoying the water fountains, gardens, playground, bike path and lush green lawns.
The Appellate Court, Second District won the Building Stewardship Award for the outstanding preservation and maintenance of its mid-century modernist facility on Symphony Way. Built in 1966 by architect A. Richard Williams, the building still holds original furniture designed by famous designers such as Eames, Han Wegner and Edward Nelson. The building is maintained by the Capital Development Board, a state of Illinois agency.
Two other Elgin projects were honored as award finalists: Ziegler's Ace Hardware for Long Term Business Success Story; and the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin's new Web site for Downtown Image Campaign.
As the keeper of Elgin's Main Street Program, the DNA nominated these projects for the Lt. Governor's Awards.
"We were honored to represent Elgin among our peer communities at the awards ceremony in Danville," said executive director Tonya Hudson. "The projects that were recognized as finalists and as winners are wonderful examples of our community's shared vision for a revitalized downtown; which demonstrates our commitment to both historic preservation and economic progress."
Illinois Main Street represents one of the state's most effective public-private partnerships for economic development and community renewal. Since its inception, designated communities have reported net gains of more than 1,600 new downtown businesses and created more than 6,000 new full and part-time jobs. The Main Street program has spurred the reinvestment of more than $575 million in Main Street downtowns.
Illinois is one of 40 states participating in the National Main Street program, administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Lt. Governor's Office administers the Illinois Main Street program, now the fourth largest in the nation, with architectural assistance from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
For details, call DNA at (847) 488-1456 or visit www.downtownelgin.org.