Ceaseless commitment to innovative community-driven solutions credited
Denison, Texas – Main Street America announced that Denison Main Street has received the prestigious Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA), which recognizes communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district
revitalization. The 2025 GAMSA honors, sponsored by The Hartford, were presented at the opening plenary for the Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Selected by a national jury of industry professionals and local leaders in the fields of economic development and historic preservation, Denison Main Street is being recognized for leading an expansive community engagement effort to support businesses affected by Designing Downtown Denison (D3), the most ambitious infrastructure renovation in Denison’s 152-year history.
“Denison Main Street has shown how meaningful community engagement can drive lasting change,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO at Main Street America. “By fostering open communication, creative outreach, and strong local partnerships, they ensured that businesses and residents remained at the heart of their significant transformation.”
Founded in 1872, just south of the Oklahoma border in North Central Texas, Denison was once an important commercial hub along the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad. But, in 1988, when Union Pacific relocated their headquarters, Denison was forced to reinvent itself to survive. In 1989, Denison Main Street became a Texas Main Street City, turning to Main Street America and the Main Street ApproachTM — one of the most powerful preservation-based economic and community development tools in the nation — to transform Denison’s main street into a thriving, multi-cultural community.
With a ceaseless commitment to community engagement and community-driven solutions, Denison Main Street met the challenges of Designing Downtown Denison head on, keeping residents informed and protecting the needs of Main Street businesses through open communication and by creating funding programs like the innovative Alley Access grant, which provides rear access to businesses that are safe, accessible and well-lit.
Through the tireless efforts of Denison’s Main Street Program and its dedication to the Main Street Approach, Denison’s Main Street has not only survived, but flourished. The average price for buildings downtown has increased by 200% over the last 15 years and the number of annual visitors to the city has risen by 2.6 million per year over the last three years.
"Denison’s success is built on the strength of its people. From business and property owners and volunteers to city leaders and residents, this award reflects the collective effort of an engaged community that loves its downtown," said Donna Dow, Director for the City of Denison. "Designing Downtown Denison was a grass-roots effort, and through open and transparent communication and strong support from our partners, we have worked hard to ensure revitalization goes hand in
hand with community and economic support. We are thrilled to see all our work recognized with this wonderful honor."
Denison Main Street is the third Main Street in Texas to be awarded the prestigious Great American Main Street Award. Denison was previously named a Semifinalist for the Great American Main Street Award in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
