News Media

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2008

FOR MORE INFORMATION
info@annapolisbusinessassoc.com

Historic Street Reflects Present As Much As The Past

Annapolis, Maryland – The American Planning Association (APA) announced on October 10th that the city’s Main Street has been designated one of 10 Great Streets for 2008 through APA's Great Places in America program. APA Great Places exemplify exceptional character and highlight the role planners and planning play in creating communities of lasting value. The Annapolis Business Association received a certificate of appreciation for the support of the program at a press conference October 8th in front of the Historic Maryland Inn. Clare Vanderbeek, Executive Director of the Association accepted the award on behalf of the ABA.

“We're excited to select Main Street as one of this year's great streets,” said APA Executive Director Paul Farmer, FAICP. “APA has singled out Main Street not only for remaining physically and visually connected to its history, maritime culture, and architectural character, but also its significant contributions to Annapolis’s downtown economy,” Farmer said.

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of every community. Across the country, small businesses drive our nation's economy, providing over half of the private sector jobs in the United States,” said Speaker of the Maryland House Michael E. Busch. “The Main Street in Annapolis is Maryland's gateway to the State Capital. Nestled in the heart of the capital, Annapolis Main Street businesses offer a variety of high quality goods and restaurants, as well as the quaint atmosphere that attracts people from across the State and the country,” he continued.

APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live. They are enjoyable, safe, and desirable. They are places where people want to be — not only to visit, but to live and work every day. America's truly great streets are defined by many unique criteria, including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. Through Great Places in America APA recognizes the unique and authentic attributes of essential building blocks of great communities — streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces.

"Main Street in Annapolis is one of the few streets anywhere where one can truly follow in the footsteps of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other great leaders, past and present,” said Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer. “Visitors to Main Street often speak of the ‘Wow!’ factor and comment on the human scale, vibrant shops, sense of community and the connection with both history and the future that this unique street offers,” she said.

Originally named Church Street, the five-block-long Main Street lies between Church and Memorial Circles and was part of the 1696 physical plan for Annapolis created by Governor Francis Nicholson. He based his city and street design on baroque urban planning principles advanced in Europe during the 17th Century.

Nicholson’s plan used the existing topography to accentuate the city’s two most important buildings – the Maryland State House, located on downtown’s highest point of land, and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, located on the second highest spot. The Church Circle end Main Street offers views of the Chesapeake Bay while from Memorial Circle there is an unobstructed view of St. Anne’s Church.

The brick-paved street is home to 65 historic buildings including the Maryland Inn at the corner of Main and Church Circle. The inn houses the Treaty of Paris Restaurant where several of the signers of the treaty that officially ended the Revolutionary War – including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin -- came following the historic occasion in 1784.

Concerns about the preservation of historic buildings dates back to 1952 when Historic Annapolis, Inc., was created. The group pioneered the use of historic preservation easements years before federal laws were enacted to protect historic structures. The city’s local historic district zoning ordinance, including façade restrictions, was adopted in 1969 and revised in 1996. Guiding implementation of the law is a seven-member Historic Preservation Commission.

Main Street provides an historical experience whether someone is there to shop, tour, dine, attend a special event, or for another occasion. During the holiday season the Downtown Business Association and businesses along Main Street sponsor Midnight Madness, two nights before Christmas to attract holiday shoppers. At other times of the year, the city and merchants decorate the street with hanging flower baskets, flags, and banners. Each October the city hosts the world’s largest in-water power and sail boat shows, which take place at City Dock.

Twice-a-day sweepings help to keep the street nearly litter-free. To reduce the amount of storm water emptying into the Chesapeake Bay, the city has built rain gardens at Susan Campbell Park near City Dock and Memorial Circle. There also are bike racks and city bus service along Main Street.

The nine other APA 2008 Great Streets are: Mill Avenue, Tempe, Ariz.; Seventh Avenue, Tampa, Fla.; West Main Street, Louisville, Ky.; Commercial Street, Portland, Maine; Washington Street, Boston, Mass.; Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minn.; South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa.; South El Paso, El Paso, Texas; and Clarendon & Wilson Boulevards, Arlington, Va.

The Annapolis Business Association is a non-profit consortium of businesses and individuals with the shared interest of maintaining and improving the climate for conducting business in Annapolis. For information, email info@annapolisbusinessassoc.com.

# # #

Press Releases

top