Transformational Main Street Initiatives Across CT Earn Recognition

Initiatives and organizations driving impacts in eight Connecticut communities - Bridgeport, New Britain, Manchester, Norwich, Rockville, Simsbury, Waterbury, and Windsor Locks – have earned recognition from the Connecticut Main Street Center (CMSC) and will be receiving Awards of Excellence from the state's leading downtown resource.

Ranging from a municipality's role in setting the stage for the downtown's economic and social success to private citizens who invested in the redevelopment of key historic structures, this year's winning entries represent the state’s “most transformative, catalytic, and inclusive efforts” in bringing Connecticut's Main Streets back to life over the past year according to CMSC officials.

"At a time when downtowns and Main Streets are shuttered, we are happy bring some good news to our communities and recognize the outstanding work of this year's award-winning people and programs,” said Patrick McMahon, CMSC CEO.

The Connecticut Main Street Center is planning to present each award locally in the community in which the project is located.

“Now, more than ever, we're realizing our downtowns are not only the economic lifeblood of our communities, but they connect us in deep and meaningful ways. We know times are tough right now, but we'll get through this, and it's the people and communities like our award winners that will help our downtowns and Main Streets come back stronger than ever.”

The 2020 Awards of Excellence winners are:

· Preservation & Adaptive Reuse: 690 Hopmeadow Street: The Ensign House, Simsbury

· Branding, Marketing & Communications: Colorful Bridgeport: a community identity program celebrating people, streets, places & spaces

Public Space & Placemaking: The Beehive Bridge, New Britain
Events & Programming: Global City Norwich Program
Redevelopment & Adaptive Reuse: The Montgomery Mill, Windsor Locks
Preservation & Adaptive Reuse: Hockanum Mill, Rockville
Planning: Downtown 2020 Initiative, Manchester
Stewardship: Post University Downtown, Waterbury

Created in 2003 to recognize outstanding projects, individuals and partnerships in community efforts to bring traditional downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts back to life, socially and economically, the Awards of Excellence are presented annually.

CMSC's mission is to be the catalyst that ignites Connecticut's Main Streets as the cornerstone of thriving communities. CMSC is dedicated to community and economic development within the context of historic preservation, and is committed to bringing Connecticut's commercial districts back to life socially and economically.