Best Commercial Rehabilitation
This award is presented to one or more individuals, tenants, or building owners who have completed the best total building rehabilitation project based on proper preservation techniques. Projects completed between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2025 are eligible. If completing a Best Commercial Rehabilitation nomination, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Description of the rehabilitation project including building location and size, building history, former building uses, project costs, funding sources, contractor/architect partnership, etc
- Explain the historical significance of the property and note if it is listed in any national, state or local register or inventory
- Make note if tax credits were used on the project
- Describe the work completed including any design assistance sources, financial incentives and project challenges
- Images/video of the project, especially highlighting before and after conditions
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication.
Best Residential Restoration
This award recognizes individuals, developers, or building owners who have successfully completed an outstanding exterior and/or interior restoration project of a single-family, multi-family, or downtown mixed-use property, demonstrating proper preservation techniques. Eligible projects must have been completed between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2025. For a Best Residential Project nomination, please include the following support materials:
Support Materials
- Describe the rehabilitation project including the location, design principles, design assistance used, costs, funding sources, financial incentives used, contractor/architect partnership, etc.
- Detailed description of the work completed throughout the rehabilitation process including project challenges encountered and resolved
- Images/video of the project, especially highlighting before and after conditions
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication.
Best Downtown Placemaking
This award is presented to an organization and/or municipality actively engaged in efforts to enhance their downtown’s appearance with the intention of creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and well being through a program of streetscape and/or downtown design improvements. Projects completed between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2025 are eligible. If completing a Best Downtown Placemaking nomination, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Description of the project including reasoning behind implementation, project costs, funding sources, etc
- Explain how the project aligned with the board adopted transformation strategy and goals. Please provide your committee work plan.
- Explain the historical significance of the project area and note if it is listed in any national, state or local register or inventory
- Describe the work completed including any design assistance sources, financial incentives, project challenges, and innovative approaches to overcoming project obstacles
- Images/video of the project, especially highlighting before and after conditions
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication.
Best Historic Theater Restoration
This award is presented to the historic theater, opera house, or cinema which embodies the spirit of preservation. Note: This award is only for historic theaters, not architectural firms or developers.
Nominees will be judged for maintained integrity or completed restoration projects, active performance or screenings, and community engagement. If completing a Best Historic Theater Restoration nomination, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Description of current programming and community engagement activities
- Explain the historical significance of the property and note if it is listed in any national, state or local register or inventory
- Describe the work completed on structure, either continuous maintenance or completed restoration project
- Images/video of the building, especially highlighting before and after conditions and performance
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication.
Main Street Business of the Year
This award recognizes the owner or employee of a Main Street business who demonstrates exceptional creativity and forward-thinking in their approach to business and community engagement. Through innovative strategies and a strong commitment to downtown revitalization, the recipient actively supports their local Main Street program and contributes to the vitality of the district. If nominating a Main Street Business, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Detailed description of the business’ history with the local Main Street Program, examples of its involvement at the local level and its dedication to revitalization and preservation
- Images/video of the nominee in action.
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication. For individual award nominations, at least one image should feature the nominee alone rather than in a group setting.
Main Street Volunteer of the Year
This award recognizes an exceptional individual whose time, energy, and expertise have made a significant impact on the success of a local Main Street program. Through their dedication and commitment, the recipient helps advance revitalization efforts, strengthen the organization, and support the growth of the downtown district. Their leadership, initiative, and willingness to serve inspire others and contribute meaningfully to both the program and the broader community. If completing a Main Street Volunteer of the Year nomination, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Detailed description of the volunteer/staff member actions, achievements, and involvement in the organization, and how these have benefited the community and enhanced the central business district
- Images/video of the nominee in action.
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication. For individual award nominations, at least one image should feature the nominee alone rather than in a group setting.
Main Street Director of the Year
This award recognizes a Main Street Director who demonstrates exceptional leadership and commitment to downtown revitalization. The recipient brings creativity and innovation to community engagement and development efforts while serving as an active and collaborative partner in the Ohio Main Street Program. Through their vision, dedication, and ability to inspire others, they play a key role in strengthening their downtown and advancing their local Main Street organization. If nominating a director, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Detailed description of the person’s tenure as main street manager, his/her involvement as the Main Street Director and his/her commitment to revitalization and preservation
- Images/video of the nominee in action
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication. For individual award nominations, at least one image should feature the nominee alone rather than in a group setting.
Spirit of Main Street
This award honors an individual or individuals who have demonstrated long-standing dedication to the success of their local Main Street program. Through their time, effort, and expertise, the recipient has played a meaningful role in helping the program grow, evolve, and thrive. Their sustained commitment reflects the true spirit of the Main Street movement and has contributed to the lasting transformation of their downtown. Nominees must have provided a minimum of 10 years of service to the program.
If completing a Spirit of Main Street nomination, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Detailed description of the volunteer/staff member actions, achievements, and involvement in the organization, and how these have benefited the community and enhanced the central business district
- Images/video of the nominee in action
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication. For individual award nominations, at least one image should feature the nominee alone rather than in a group setting.
Best Main Street Committee Project
This award recognizes a Main Street program committee—Economic Vitality, Design, Organization, or Promotion—that successfully planned, implemented, and completed a project that made a meaningful impact on their downtown district. The award honors committees that demonstrate collaboration, leadership, and effective execution while advancing the goals of their local revitalization program. Through their efforts, the committee helps strengthen the district and contribute to the ongoing transformation of the community. If completing a Best Main Street Committee Project nomination, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Description of how the event or project fulfilled an unmet need in the community and how the project aligned with the board adopted transformation strategy and goals. Please provide your committee work plan.
- Describe how the event or project positively impacted the downtown/community through event activities, increased downtown visitation, etc
- Provide information about the cost funding sources, and the implementation process
- Images/video of the project materials and project efforts in action.
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication.
Best Main Street Event
This award is presented to a Main Street program committee (Economic Vitality, Design, Organization, Promotion) that planned and hosted an exceptional event in their district. If completing a Best Main Street Committee Event nomination, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Description of how the event a need in the community and how the project aligned with the board adopted transformation strategy and goals. Please provide your committee work plan.
- Describe how the event positively impacted the downtown/community through event activities, increased attendance, etc
- Provide information about the cost funding sources, and the implementation process
- Images/video of the project materials and project efforts in action
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication.
The Joyce Barrett Preservation Hero Award
This award is presented to an individual, organization, or business that has shown outstanding leadership in revitalizing and preserving Ohio communities. If nominating a Preservation Hero, please provide these support materials:
Support Materials
- Detailed description of the person’s or organization’s involvement in the historic preservation field, the activities undertaken, and how their actions made a positive preservation impact
- Supporting evidence to show a long-term commitment to advancing historic preservation in their community
- Images/video of the nominee(s) in action.
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication. For individual award nominations, at least one image should feature the nominee alone rather than in a group setting.
Young Preservationist of the Year Award
This award is presented to an individual, age 40 or younger, that has show strong leadership in the field of historic preservation and made meaningful impacts for historic preservation and their community. If nominating for the Young Preservationist of the Year Award, please provide these supporting materials:
Support Materials
- Detailed description of the individual’s involvement in the historic preservation field, their activities undertaken, and how their actions have made a positive impact for historic preservation in their community.
- Images/video of the nominee(s) in action
- Photographs submitted with nominations should be high-quality and suitable for publication. For individual award nominations, at least one image should feature the nominee alone rather than in a group setting.