Partner Partner Content Main Street Farmington earns 2026 Great American Main Street Award

This story was provided by Farmington DDA.

Main Street America announced today that Main Street  Farmington in Farmington, Michigan, has received the prestigious Great American Main Street  Award (GAMSA), recognizing excellence in preservation-based commercial district revitalization. The 2026 honors were presented at the opening plenary of the Main Street Now  Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

Selected by a national jury of leaders in economic development and historic preservation, Main Street Farmington is recognized for transforming a once car-oriented district into a vibrant,  walkable downtown driven by public space investment, historic preservation, and grassroots leadership. 

“Main Street Farmington demonstrates how bold placemaking and preservation can reshape a community’s trajectory,” said Erin Barnes, President and CEO of Main Street America. “By  reclaiming parking lots as gathering spaces, restoring landmark buildings, and fostering an  inclusive culture of entrepreneurship, Farmington has created a downtown where history fuels  innovation.” 

Founded in 2002 and accredited for 23 years, the program operates within the City’s Downtown Development Authority. Vacancy rates have fallen from nearly 15 percent to less than 5 percent,  reflecting sustained reinvestment and strategic business development. 

A defining milestone was the conversion of a central parking lot into Riley Park, now a civic green drawing more than three million visitors annually and catalyzing reinvestment throughout the district. Preservation has anchored that resurgence, with the restoration of the 1921 Farmington State Savings Bank building, the 1939 Farmington Civic Theater, and the 1876  Masonic Hall at Masons Corner framing a revitalized downtown core. Coordinated streetscape improvements and a 2017 Public Art Blueprint further aligned public and private investment. 

Over two decades, more than $20 million in private investment has supported a shift from national chains to a collaborative ecosystem of independent retailers and entrepreneurs. 

Through pop-ups, incubators, façade grants, and state-supported programs, Main Street  Farmington has built a pipeline that turns temporary concepts into permanent businesses. 

Inclusion remains central to the mission, from universally accessible public spaces to campaigns celebrating belonging and diverse representation. More than 77,000 volunteer hours and broad public-private partnerships have helped transform a car-centric corridor into a connected, people-centered downtown. 

“We’re incredibly honored to receive the Great American Main Street Award and to have more than two decades of Main Street work recognized on a national stage,” said Jessica  Westendorf, Executive Director of Main Street Farmington DDA. “By investing in thoughtful public spaces, supporting small businesses, and celebrating our historic character, we’ve shown how place-based development can create a vibrant and resilient downtown. It’s exciting to  celebrate how far we’ve come and the momentum that will carry Downtown Farmington into its  next chapter.” 

“The community of Farmington, Michigan, has demonstrated how visionary leadership, strong partnerships, and a deep appreciation for place can transform a historic downtown into a vibrant destination,” said John Bry, Main Street Oakland County Coordinator. “The work of the  Farmington Downtown Development Authority over the years exemplifies the very best of what  the Main Street Movement represents by preserving heritage while fostering innovation,  supporting small businesses, and creating an authentic downtown experience that resonates  with residents and visitors alike.”  

Main Street Farmington is one of three programs nationwide to receive the 2026 Great  American Main Street Award.