A National Award for Main Street Excellence with DDA Jessica Westendorf

The National Main Street Center honored downtown Farmington with the Great American Main Street Award, recognizing years of vision, investment and community partnership. In this conversation, T.R. Carr and Jessica Westendorf trace the milestones that led to this achievement.

What the Award Means

“We are absolutely thrilled. It is the Great American Main Street Award, a lifetime achievement award using the Main Street principles for economic development and historic preservation in our downtown.”

Receiving this award places Farmington among a select group of communities whose downtowns are both vibrant and historically sensitive. The recognition signals that long‑term planning and cooperation among the Downtown Development Authority, private developers and city leaders is working.

Early Catalysts

“Before Riley Park was built, it was a parking lot. The DDA and the city worked together to carve out that town square space. It gave us a gathering place and a location for an awesome farmers market and helped unify the historic core with the mid‑century shopping center. It identified that downtowns are for people.”

More than two decades ago, the city and the DDA reclaimed that asphalt space and turned it into Riley Park. The park has become the hub for the farmers market and cultural events, proving that investing in public space invites community life.

“At some point we had five lanes of traffic running through our downtown, and through long‑term visioning and strategic investment, making downtown more friendly for people over cars has helped us along the way.”

This shift from cars to people laid the groundwork for later projects, such as the Farmington Road streetscape.

Creating a Walkable Core

“While the Farmington Road streetscape was being built, we had a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity to work with a private developer to build GLP Financial Group. When you invest in your public space and infrastructure, you invite that private investment. It takes both to make a thriving downtown.”

The restoration of the 1922 Farmington State Savings Bank building alongside the new streetscape proved that public improvements draw private partners. This partnership anchored the corner and added another architectural gem to the district.

A Community of Events

The conversation concludes by celebrating the farmers market, concerts and first‑run films at the city‑owned theater. Westendorf reminds listeners that these programs invite neighbors to linger and shop, creating a cycle of economic activity. With this award, Farmington joins a national group of communities that build on their strengths while honoring their heritage.