Congratulations to Rocky Mount, Winchester and Harrisonburg!  The 2009 Virginia Downtown Development Association (VDDA) awards were announced at the annual meeting in Fredericksburg this November. The VDDA awards recognize organizations, individuals and governments for their achievements in revitalizing downtowns across Virginia.

Several Main Street communities were honored in the categories of  Business Development, Promotions and Marketing category which honors excellence in developing, promoting and marketing the activities and programs of revitalization districts, as well as Building Development & Improvements which recognizes achievements in improvements and redevelopment projects.

Organizational Development

– Population 0-24,999

Award of Excellence – The Centers @ 319, Smithfield & Isle of Wight CVB

Award of Excellence – Advanced Preservation Workshop and Proceedings Manual, City of Fredericksburg

Business Development, Promotion & Marketing

– Population 25,000-74,999

Award of Merit – Taste of Downtown, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

Award of Excellence – Shop Charlottesville, City of Charlottesville

– Population 75,000 and greater

 Award of Merit –  PortsEvents, Portsmouth Partnership

Award of Excellence –  Restaurant Week Marketing Campaign, Downtown Norfolk Council

Commercial Revitalization Plans & Streetscapes

– Population- 0-24,999

 Award of Merit – Kilmarnock Main Street Streetscape, LandMark Design Group, Inc.

Award of Merit – Court Square Enhancement Project, Town of Woodstock

 Award of Excellence – Downtown Floyd Revitalization, Hill Studio

– Population 25,000-74,999

Award of Excellence – Downtown Refurbishment Project, City of Charlottesville

Building Development & Improvements

– Population- 0-24,999

Award of Merit- N. Morris Building (Rocky Mount), Spectrum Design

Award of Merit  –  Union Bank Building,  Preservation of Historic Winchester

 Award of Excellence – George Washington Hotel  (Winchester), Old Town Development Board 

– Population- 25,000-74,999

 Award of Excellence –    The Urban Exchange Building, Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance

– Population 75,000 and greater

Award of Merit – MovieLand, Commonwealth Architects

Student Entry

Commercial Revitalization Plans & Streetscapes

Award of Excellence –  Revitalization Plan for the Traditional Business District in the Town of Tappahannock, Laura Baker (VCU, Master of Urban & Regional Planning Program)

John Marlles Commitment Award –  David R. Tynch (Portsmouth)