Secretary Detzner Designates Homestead as Florida Main Street Program of the Month

Recognizes organization’s contribution to preservation and restoration

TALLAHASSEE – Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced today that Homestead Main Street has been designated the Florida Main Street Community of the Month for May 2014. Communities are selected based on their developmental achievements and participation in the Florida Main Street Program.

“Since designation in 1993, as a Florida Main Street community, Homestead has completed 94 construction and rehabilitation projects totaling over $36 million,” said Secretary Detzner. In addition, a total of 121 businesses have opened, creating 598 new jobs in the downtown. Volunteers have donated over 441,000 hours of their time to meetings and events. Homestead is an example of how Main Street programs can improve and develop downtown communities.

Yvonne Knowles, Executive Director of Homestead Main Street, reports that, “The amazing response to the weekend free Trolley Rides from downtown Homestead to the National Parks has drawn a record number of tourists to our downtown Historic District. Main Street enjoys a strong working partnership with the City of Homestead, and programs like this and future projects are all leading to an exciting future for the downtown Homestead Main Street district.”

Homestead is an energetic city full of exciting events, such as Krome Avenue Goes Cajun which brought over 2,000 visitors to the downtown district in celebration of Mardi Gras. Also known for their spectacular annual car shows and dog contests, Homestead takes pride in their resident’s involvement in community events.

The City of Homestead is the second oldest city in Miami-Dade County, opening to homesteaders in 1898. Homestead Main Street was designated in 1993, after Hurricane Andrew struck the area. The Main Street program was an instrumental tool in securing state and federal grants that were used to help rebuild the downtown area. For the last 20 years, Homestead Main Street has continued to work with the city,  merchants, and cultural groups to restore and promote downtown. For more information about Homestead Main Street or the Florida Main Street program visit flheritage.com or facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet.

# # #

About Florida Main Street

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the  Florida Department of State. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach®, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of the heart and soul of Florida’s communities - the downtown. Since the program’s inception in 1985, participating programs have received technical assistance through manager training, and professional consultations in promotion, economic restructuring, organization, and design.