“Encinitas' downtown wins national preservation award”

By Mia Taylor,
Union-Tribune Staff Writer

San Diego Union-Tribune

May 19, 2004

On Monday, Encinitas' downtown received the "Great American MainStreet" award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The award recognizes exceptional accomplishments revitalizing downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Each year, the efforts of five cities are honored by the National Trust. This year, two communities in California were among those selected. Paso Robles also is a winner.

"We're all so proud," Encinitas Mayor Maggie Houlihan said yesterday, after returning from the awards ceremony in Albuquerque, N.M. "This was truly a labor of love, vision and creativity."

The city began planning downtown improvements in 1988, said David DeCordova, the city's project manager. Construction efforts began in 1998, he said.

Over the years, the area has been transformed from a stagnant, run-down city center where business after business was packing up and closing to a thriving hub of activity with many restaurants, cafes and shops.

About $6 million was invested in revitalization, DeCordova said.

Some of the more visible improvements are upgraded sidewalks, antique-style lighting, custom tree grates and colorful tile mosaics in the sidewalks at street corners.

Several arts and cultural programs also have been initiated in the downtown area.

Houlihan said much of the credit for the award goes to the Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association, a booster group for downtown businesses that was formed in 1988.

"DEMA and their executive director helped crystallize and articulate the vision," Houlihan said.

Fifty communities across the nation have received the award since it was created in 1995. Pasadena, San Luis Obispo and Coronado have won in past years.

The award comes with a $2,500 cash prize and signs the city can display declaring it a "Great American MainStreet City."