MainStreet Libertyville honored for revitalization efforts

MainStreet Libertyville has been designated as an accredited National Main Street Program by the National Main Street Center.

Each year, the center and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs that have built strong revitalization organizations.

“Accredited Main Street programs are meeting the challenges of the downtown in the economy head on and are successfully using a focused, comprehensive revitalization strategy to keep their communities vibrant and sustainable,” said Valecia Crisafulli, acting director of the National Main Street Center.

A Main Street community since 1989 and a recipient of the prestigious Great American Main Street award, the mission of MainStreet Libertyville is to bring economic development and retention through historic preservation to the downtown.

In 1989 the downtown had a 30 percent vacancy rate, with its buildings underutilized and in need of rehabilitation. Through the years, the public/private partnership has worked to bring the downtown back to life, totaling nearly $52 million in private investment.

As a nonprofit volunteer-based organization, MainStreet Libertyville hosts more than 50 days of retail and community events each year. In 2012, volunteers donated more than 4,400 hours to coordinate events such as Let’s Wine About Winter, Dickens of a Holiday and Farmers Market, three fundraisers, and serve as members of organization, design, business matters and promotion committees.

“The success of the program is rooted in the support of our volunteers and members. They are the backbone of our organization and give tirelessly of their time to maintain the vibrancy of the downtown and its rich historic heritage,” said Pam Hume, executive director.

MainStreet Chairman Ken Stemke summarized 2012 as the best year ever for the organization and downtown Libertyville.

“MainStreet Libertyville has built itself into a strong, sustainable organization that has an incredible asset, historic downtown Libertyville, to help promote and to assist in achieving the highest levels of success. The increasing tax base of the downtown district helps the entire Libertyville community. We expect 2013 to exceed all expectations.”

For more information on volunteer opportunities or to become a member, visit www.mainstreetlibertyville.org, friend it on Facebook or call (847) 680-0336.