Congress Street Named One of America’s Great Streets

American Planning Association bestows honor to 10 Great Streets Across America

PORTLAND, Maine – The American Planning Association (APA) today announced that Portland’s Congress Street has earned the designation as one of the 10 Great Streets for 2014. Each October during National Community Planning Month, APA’s Great Places in America program names 30 exemplary streets, neighborhoods and public spaces that add value to communities and foster economic growth and jobs.

“Congress Street is the heart and soul of Portland’s downtown,” said Mayor Michael Brennan. “It’s great to see Portland receiving more national attention, and to be recognized for the more than 30 years of work that the City planners have been doing to improve Congress Street.” 

Congress Street serves as the city's primary east-west commercial and transportation axis. Dating

back to the Revolutionary War, Congress Street features a mix of historical architectural styles, from 18th century Colonial, 19th century Federal to 20th century International and 21st century Post Modern, with examples of nearly every significant style of residential, commercial and civic architecture in between. Home to numerous art galleries, theaters, museums and schools, Congress Street benefited from federal urban renewal money in the 1970s that led to the rehabilitation of many of the street's buildings over the next few decades - including The State Theater, Portland Museum of Art and The Children’s Museum of Maine – and provided upgrades to the street lighting and street furniture in order to attract new business.

More recently, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds totaling $90,000 were allotted to façade improvements for three buildings along Congress Street, which property owners matched.

APA’s Great Streets, Great Neighborhoods and Great Public Spaces feature unique and authentic characteristics that have evolved from years of thoughtful and deliberate planning by residents, community leaders and planners.

"Recognizing these special places highlights the role planning plays in adding value to communities," said William Anderson, FAICP, president of APA. "Planners, working with others, help build better communities in a variety of settings, from urban to rural; the result - better neighborhoods, cities, and regions. We applaud these efforts and congratulate this year’s designees."

Since Great Places in America was launched in 2007, APA has designated 230 neighborhoods, streets and public spaces. Places are announced annually and represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow.