HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 59

BY  THOMAS, H. MILLER, HANSON, WITTNEBEN, DOLECHECK, PETTENGILL, GASKILL, UPMEYER, M. SMITH, SWAIM, ISENHART, MASSIE, KEARNS, FRY, HEDDENS, HAGENOW, WILLEMS, WINDSCHITL, SODERBERG, MURPHY, HUSEMAN, and KELLEY

A Resolution honoring the Main Street Iowa Program on its 25th anniversary.

   WHEREAS, the Main Street Four Point Approach was conceived in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in Washington, D.C., and in 1985, the Iowa General Assembly adopted the National Main Street Center’s approach to downtown revitalization by approving the establishment of the Main Street Iowa Program within the Iowa Department of Economic Development; and
   WHEREAS, 63 cities have participated since 1986, 47 Iowa Main Street communities are currently participating, and there are 45 active Main Street programs in Iowa; and
   WHEREAS, on April 1, 2011, the Main Street Iowa Program celebrated its 25th anniversary at the Annual Main Street Awards ceremony, and recognized outstanding volunteers and the “45 Best of the Best from 1986-2011” in design, organization, promotion, and economic restructuring; and
   WHEREAS, Iowa hosted the National Trust for Historic Preservation National Main Streets Conference held in Des Moines from May 22-25, 2011, and Main Street Iowa acted as a key conference coordinating partner; and
   WHEREAS, in its 25-year history, Main Street Iowa has tracked more than $1 billion in private investment in the purchase, construction, and rehabilitation of downtown property in participating commercial districts, significantly increasing the state’s job and business base; NOW THEREFORE,

   BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, That the House of Representatives congratulates the Main Street Iowa Program as it celebrates its 25th anniversary and thanks those who have worked nearly two million volunteer hours to make this program a resounding success.