Denison Main Street in Denison, Texas, is one of three winners of the 2025 Great American Main Street Award
April 9, 2025
Organization
Denison Development Alliance
(GAMSA), which recognizes communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization. Sponsored by The Hartford and selected by a national jury of community preservation professionals and leaders in the fields of economic development, Denison Main Street is recognized for leading an expansive community engagement effort to support businesses affected by Designing Downtown Denison (D3), the most ambitious infrastructure renovation in Denison’s 152-year history.
Main Street America Program: Denison Main Street
Coordinating Program: Texas Main Street
Year Organization Founded: 1989
Population: 26,343
Public and Private Reinvestment: $74 million
Net New Businesses: 164
Buildings/Structures Rehabilitated: 710
“Denison Main Street has shown how meaningful community engagement can drive lasting change,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America. “By fostering open communication, creative outreach, and strong local partnerships, they ensured that businesses and residents remained at the heart of their significant transformation.”
Founded in 1872, just south of the Oklahoma border in North Central Texas, Denison was once an important commercial hub along the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. But, in 1988, when Union Pacific relocated their headquarters, Denison was forced to reinvent itself to survive. In 1989, Denison Main Street became a Texas Main Street City, turning to Main Street America and the Main Street Approach™ — one of the most powerful preservation-based economic and community development tools in the nation — to transform Denison’s main street into a thriving, multi-cultural community.
With a ceaseless commitment to community engagement and community-driven solutions, Denison Main Street met the challenges of Designing Downtown Denison head on, keeping residents informed and protecting the needs of Main Street businesses through open communication and by creating funding programs like the innovative Alley Access grant, which provides rear access to businesses that are safe, accessible, and well-lit.
Through the tireless efforts of Denison’s Main Street Program and its dedication to the Main Street Approach, Denison’s Main Street has not only survived, but flourished. The average price for buildings downtown has increased by 200% over the last 15 years and the number of annual visitors to the city has risen by 2.6 million per year over the last three years.
“Denison’s success is built on the strength of its people. From business and property owners and volunteers to city leaders and residents, this award reflects the collective effort of an engaged community that loves its downtown,” said Donna Dow, Director for the City of Denison. “Designing Downtown Denison was a grass-roots effort, and through open and transparent communication and strong support from our partners, we have worked hard to ensure revitalization goes hand in hand with community and economic support. We are thrilled to see all our work recognized with this wonderful honor.”
Since 1989, Denison Main Street has upheld Main Street America fundamentals, investing time, energy, and money to catalyze downtown growth in healthy and meaningful ways. As a result, the local program has garnered an Accredited designation for more than 20 years during its time in the Texas network. To date, Denison’s Main Street district has brought more than $80 million in overall investment to this community of 26,000. More than 70% of this reinvestment total originated from private investors.
“This yield comes as no surprise to our staff who know how closely Denison Main Street staff work with potential, new, and sustaining business owners,” said Amy Hammons, State Coordinator, Texas Main Street Program. “In fact, district stakeholders frequently share how Donna Dow (Director of Denison Main Street) has cultivated relationships, provided consistent communication, and offered heartfelt encouragement over the years.”
“The accomplishments of the last 36 years, using the Main Street Approach, are vast and measurable,” remarked Robert Crawley, Mayor of the City of Denison. “Our Main street is vibrant, beautiful, and poised for the brightest days in our history. Because of our focus on the heart of our city, we can and have overcome each challenge.”