Senator Goodall Recognizes Main Street Bath for National Award

Posted: April 10, 2012 | News Items, Senator Goodall

AUGUSTA – Bath legislators presented members of Main Street Bath and Bath officials with a special Legislative Sentiment recognizing the group’s 2012 Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust Main Street Center.

Senator Seth Goodall, Representative Michael Clarke and Representative Peter Kent sponsored the sentiment.

“It is an honor to congratulate the hard working individuals who have made Main Street Bath a success,” said Senator Goodall. “This national award is a well-deserved tribute to their efforts of revitalizing Bath’s downtown.”

The award is given to communities that exemplify the use of the Main Street Approach in the revitalization of their traditional downtowns and neighborhood business districts. This is the first time a Maine community has received the award.

In a prior press release announcing Bath’s award, the National Trust Main Street Center praised Main Street Bath for helping the city’s downtown use its shipbuilding heritage to stay relevant in the face of competition from area big box stores, and to overcome the disadvantage of a highway overpass that diverted traffic away from the commercial district. Downtown Bath is booming again, thanks to a strong team of partners, a lively mix of independent retailers in historic storefronts, a “can-do” spirit and a clear sense of what makes Bath unique.

Director of the National Trust Main Street Center, Doug Loescher, said, “Bath is an excellent example of how, through partnerships and perseverance, a community can overcome seemingly overwhelming obstacles—in this case, the Route 1 viaduct, and competition from “big boxes”—to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly downtown. Main Street Bath has given residents and tourists alike a host of reasons to exit the highway and explore its diverse businesses, wealth of historic architecture and authentic maritime heritage.”

“This is a proud achievement for the community of Bath,” said Senator Goodall. “Bath’s downtown is a role model for the entire state.”

Main Street Bath was also recently honored at the Main Street Awards Ceremony during the National Main Streets Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.