Amarillo Center City Receives Main Street Recognition

Center City of Amarillo has been commended once again for successful annual progress as a designated Main Street community. The Texas Historical Commission's (THC) Texas Main Street Program (TMSP) made the announcement at the winter gathering of Texas Main Street managers in Llano.

Sixty-seven designated Main Street programs in Texas were recognized. These cities will be further recognized as Nationally Accredited by the National Main Street Center, a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, at the National Main Street conference in New Orleans in April.

"It really is a notable accomplishment to be recognized in this way, especially for those programs that do it year after year," said Debra Farst, TMSP state coordinator. "Incremental progress that leads to comprehensive success is at the core of the preservation-based Main Street model and that is exactly what these programs are showing. This process respects the unique nature of each Main Street community. Each program is recognized for their own local effort. They are truly real places telling real stories."

Accredited programs show above average performance in ten categories on an annual report. Selection criteria focus on planning, partnerships, staffing, volunteer effort, preservation ethic, training and program assessment through reporting. The state office also works with programs throughout the year by providing various services based upon local needs.

Center City of Amarillo is a Texas and National Main Street City. "Being part of the Main Street network brings valuable resources to Center City," said Beth Duke, executive director of Center City. "National recognition means that we meet or exceed all standards.

"This recognition places us in the top Main Street cities across the nation. We are all working toward common goals of preserving our downtown history and helping our downtowns thrive in the future," she said. "This prestigious national and state recognition is a tribute to the hundreds of Center City volunteers who make our special events a success and to our loyal businesses that call downtown home."

Other regional cities that also received Main Street recognition include Canyon, Plainview, and Levelland.

For additional information about the national Main Street effort, visit the National Trust Main Street web site at http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/. For more information on the Texas Historical Commission's Main Street program visit www.thc.state.tx.us.