City of Salisbury snags two N.C. Main Street Awards

Salisbury, N.C., (Wednesday, March 30, 2016) – Two Salisbury revitalization projects received awards of merit -- Best Endangered Rescue Effort and Best Public-Private Partnership -- during this year’s N.C. Main Street & Small Town Main Street Annual Awards Ceremony in Goldsboro.

Salisbury won the award of merit for its rescue efforts on the Fulton-Mock Blackmer House rehabilitation on S. Fulton Street. The 5000-square foot home, which dates back to 1820, was near demolition after a fire destroyed the roof and second floor in 1984. In 2012, the Historic Salisbury Foundation purchased the house, and subsequently sold it to a buyer who restored the home to its full splendor three years later, utilizing historic tax credits. The home won a 2015 historic preservation award from the Historic Salisbury Foundation, in the category Private Preservation & Neighborhood Revitalization.

The city, in partnership with the Lee Street Theater, garnered its second award of merit for the city’s streetscape improvements and the subsequent redevelopment of an underutilized warehouse into the Lee Street Theater and Performing Arts Center. The Lee Street Theater and Performing Arts Center emerged from the growing need for a venue for contemporary theater and music in downtown Salisbury. The city’s newly completed infrastructure and streetscape improvementsin the 300 block of North Lee Street created an accessible and inviting setting for redevelopment of an underutilized warehouse into the thriving music and theater venue.

“Salisbury is a leader in bringing partnerships together that celebrate, preserve and repurpose our historic buildings,” said Paula Boland, Downtown Salisbury, Inc. executive director. “These projects are clearly beautiful and effective examples of the private/public partnerships that provide our great reputation and success. Our preservation and revitalization initiatives positively impact our culture, economy and sense of community.”

According to the N.C. Department of Commerce, “the North Carolina Main Street program helps small towns preserve their historic fabric and, using local resources, build on their unique characteristics to create vibrant central business districts. A panel of independent judges selected this year’s winners from dozens of applications submitted by Main Street participants throughout the state.”

The N.C. Main Street Awards were presented by Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and Assistant Secretary Dr. Patricia Mitchell, CeCD.

“This year’s winners represent some of North Carolina’s best ambassadors promoting business friendly downtowns, historic preservation, and artistic streetscapes,” said Secretary Skvarla. “We want to shine a spotlight on their hard work of revitalizing downtowns all across our state and providing job opportunities in our local communities.”