EGAD Main Street Among Winners 2019 Florida Main Street Awards

Florida Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced the winners of the 2019 Florida Main Street Awards. The annual awards program showcases the innovative practices and projects that contribute to the success of local Main Street programs. Two award categories are given--Honor Awards, which highlight the very “best of the best” Main Street communities, and the Merit Awards, which recognize outstanding examples of redevelopment and leadership.

“I am proud to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the Main Street organizations, team members, local governments and associates that help make the Florida Main Street program so impactful,” said Secretary Lee. “Their commitment to economic development and historic preservation has been essential to the revitalization of Florida’s historic downtowns.”

Of the 56 Florida main street programs, 26 honor and merit awards were presented on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the Florida Main Street Annual Conference in Orlando’s Church Street District. Eau Gallie Arts District Main Street went home with two awards this year:

• The 2019 Merit Award winner for Outstanding Local Program Supporter was given to Verdi Eco School in EGAD. Eco Verdi School was nominated by the arts district as local program supporter because of the tremendous impact their school has had on the district. The school started three years ago and has already created enough demand to offer a high school curriculum. Their presence has raised the profile of the district and brought in parents who contribute to the local economy while in the district, plus stimulated the EGAD Community Garden initiative and FLEAGAD Market which is open on the first Saturday of each month.
• The 2019 Merit Award winner for Outstanding Rehabilitation Project was given to Frank and Melanie Schrader for the renovation of historic Ginter Building, located across from the Civic Center at 1540 Highland Avenue. Melanie Schrader was present to receive the award. The property was eligible to receive a façade improvement matching grant by the city of Melbourne. The purpose of the grant is to improve the aesthetics of commercial building facades and covers only exterior repairs and improvements. All repairs are compatible with the original or historical architectural design of the building and improve the aesthetics of the property.

This brings the total of awards won by Eau Gallie Arts District since its inception in 2010 to nine awards, including Intracoastal Brewing Company (outstanding rehabilitation project), Derek Gores and Tina Murray (merit award for local program supporter). Lisa Packard, the executive director of the main street program since 2014, won the honor award for outstanding state program supporter in 2016 for her efforts in changing the state law that limited the number of alcohol permits all