The Mills 50 Main Street (Website) has been named a semifinalist in the 2023 Great American Main Street Awards, led by Main Street America.
The annual award recognizes the top communities in the country for their excellence in “preservation-based commercial district revitalization.”
“The Orlando Main Streets program is one of the City of Orlando’s most successful programs to date, with the Mills 50 District being one of the original districts to join the program in 2008,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “In 14 years, Mills 50 District has revitalized two unappealing major thoroughfares into a cultural destination, recognized nationally and internationally for local art, inclusivity, authentic flavors, and fostering a booming small business ecosystem in an urban district. We as a city cannot express enough the gratitude and pride we feel for all the volunteers who have dedicated themselves to making Mills 50 District one of the best places in the city to dine, shop, and enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences.”
Mills 50 was recognized for its ongoing public art program, including “30 murals, 29 art boxes, 15 art dumpsters, and more than 20 art drains,” which have been installed across the district over the past 14 years. They were also recognized for their ongoing relationship with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and its annual Central Florida Dragon Parade, and the LGBT+ community center, The Center.
The semifinalists include River District Association in Danville, Virginia, Denison Main Street in Denison, Texas, Downtown Florence Main Street in Florence, South Carolina, Metuchen Downtown Alliance in Metuchen, New Jersey, Ruston Main Street in Ruston, Louisiana, Downtown Sheridan Association in Sheridan, Wyoming, and Downtown Sykesville Connection in Sykesville, Maryland.
