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Niles receives another award

By JESSICA SIEFF / Niles Daily Star
Thursday, September 11, 2008 11:41 AM EDT

NILES - Niles received statewide recognition this week - as the city's Niles Main Street, Historic District Designation received the Main Street Design Committee of the Year Award at the 2008 Michigan Downtown Conference in Bay City on Tuesday.

"We really feel that Niles' commitment to historic preservation ... is really important to the future of Niles," said Joe Borgstrom, director of the community assistance team with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

According to Borgstrom, cities throughout the state submit any accomplishments they feel are deserving of consideration for the award. An advisory committee then reviews each candidate, announcing the winner at their awards luncheon.

In a press release, MSHDA stated, "This annual conference is dedicated to bringing the best ideas, resources and educational sessions together to create an energetic environment to celebrate the growth of Michigan's Downtowns and the mind trust to solve the biggest challenges."

Communities through the state were recognized at the conference, "that have worked together within their cities and with state partners to take advantage of new initiatives and produce funding to revitalize Michigan's cities, towns and villages."

Putting a focus on the historical preservation of the city, Borgstrom said, it's hard work. "It takes a lot of dedication, it takes a lot of perseverance."

Niles' efforts, to transform the downtown landscape, he added, "told us they take this very seriously.

"It shows that communities of all sizes can have major success in their communities," he said.

The conference is a combined effort between several organizations including MSHDA, the Michigan Downtown Association, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, Michigan Main Street and Cool Cities.

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