Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

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Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

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Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

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Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

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Three Main Street America Staff members standing in front of a mural in Marion, Iowa.

Marion, Iowa © Tasha Sams

About

We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Overview Who We Are How We Work Partner Collaborations Our Supporters Our Team Job Opportunities Contact Us
Two community members in Emporia Kansas pose with a sign saying "I'm a Main Streeter"

Emporia, Kansas © Emporia Main Street

Our Network

Made up of small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts, the thousands of organizations, individuals, volunteers, and local leaders that make up Main Street America™ represent the broad diversity that makes this country so unique.

Overview Coordinating Programs Main Street Communities Collective Impact Awards & Recognition Community Evaluation Framework Join the Movement
Dionne Baux and MSA partner working in Bronzeville, Chicago.

Chicago, Illinois © Main Street America

Resources

Looking for strategies and tools to support you in your work? Delve into the Main Street Resource Center and explore a wide range of resources including our extensive Knowledge Hub, professional development opportunities, field service offerings, advocacy support, and more!

Overview Knowledge Hub Field Services Government Relations Main Street Now Conference Main Street America Institute Small Business Support Allied Member Services The Point Members Area
People riding e-scooters in Waterloo, Iowa

Waterloo, Iowa © Main Street Waterloo

The Latest

Your one-stop-shop for all the latest stories, news, events, and opportunities – including grants and funding programs – across Main Street.

Overview News & Stories Events & Opportunities Subscribe
Woman and girl at a festival booth in Kendall Whittier, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Kendall Whittier — Tulsa, Oklahoma © Kendall Whittier Main Street

Get Involved

Join us in our work to advance shared prosperity, create strong economies, and improve quality of life in downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts.

Overview Join Us Renew Your Membership Donate Partner With Us Job Opportunities
A man engages with a large outdoor installation outlining the history of buildings.

Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard — New Orleans, Louisiana © Arts Council of New Orleans

Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the three winners of the 2017 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA). Made possible through support from PNC Bank and selected by a national jury of community development professionals and leaders in the fields of economic development and historic preservation, the award winners serve as exceptional models for comprehensive, preservation-based commercial district revitalization. Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association was recognized was recognized for its work revitalizing the commercial district while investing in historic preservation.


Main Street America Program: Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.
Coordinating Program: DC Main Streets
Year Organization Founded: 1995
Population: 389,000
Public and Private Reinvestment: $83,000,000
Net New Businesses: 32
Buildings/​Structures Rehabilitated: 24

Visit Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
A large group of people gather in front of an brightly illuminated building at night.

2015 Luna Fete © Arts Council of New Orleans

Video

The Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants and Business Association is a great example of how collaborative efforts between individuals, businesses and nonprofits can help a neighborhood previously plagued with disinvestment transform into a vibrant community for all,” said Patrice Frey, President and CEO of Main Street America.

Over the past two decades, the corridor has evolved from empty and blighted structures to bustling activity. Since the late 1990s, 32 new businesses have opened, 176 jobs were added, and more than $83 million in private and public funds has been invested in the district for rehabilitation, new construction, historic preservation and infrastructure improvements. Recently, a $1.9 million streetscape project was completed in the district after many years of advocacy from the community.

It’s so great to see the fruits of everyone’s labor after so many years of hard work. The whole community rallied together to revive the boulevard. Five years ago, we would have never believed we would win the Great American Main Street Award,” said Linda Pompa, Executive Director of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association. We are proud that the corridor is now a well-rounded community that enriches the life of its residents, providing easy access to education, business opportunities, art, recreation and entertainment.”

First Fridays events and the annual Central City Festival are just some ways the Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association has helped attract people to the Main Street. Both events partner with local businesses and organizations to offer food, drinks, cultural, and educational opportunities. The Central City Festival will be celebrating its 11th anniversary in November.

  • A woman examines an exhibition installation in a hallway while other people walk through the space.

    Main Street Facades” exhibit with Tulane City Center for Jane Jacobs Walk © Aaron Wilson

  • A woman smiles while holding a microphone with her back turned towards a large crowd that has gathered in front of the stage she is standing on.

    2014 Central City Fest © Victor Robinson

Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard was thriving as a commercial district in the 1800s. It was a place where Jewish and Italian merchants, African-American doctors and insurance companies, along with German bakers, all set up shop. In the early 20th century, the boulevard was home to more than 200 businesses and was served by five streetcar lines.

The boulevard’s namesake, Oretha Castle Haley, played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement and organized a boycott of stores that would not hire African-American sales clerks, in spite of the fact that most of the shopping district’s customers were Black.

Starting in the 1970s, the area went into decline, following the path of many inner city neighborhoods that also saw disinvestment, concentration of poverty, and lack of opportunity. Dozens of historic properties fell into disrepair and were demolished.

Brightly colored graphic promoting the call for entries for the 2015 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. pole banner design contest.

Call for entries for pole banner design contest. © GMc+Company Advertising

In the late 1990s, the arrival of two nonprofits on the boulevard — Ashé Cultural Arts Center, which provides arts and cultural programming highlighting the contribution of African descendants, and Café Reconcile, which trains at-risk youths to work in the food service industry — ushered in revitalization interests and support. Later, a partnership with the local developer Kathy Laborde helped the community to achieve mixed-use, mixed-income development, and historic preservation while providing quality residential living space for senior citizens and allowing low-income community members to benefit from an improved neighborhood. The Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard Merchants & Business Association was established by businesses, non-profits, residents, and neighborhood stakeholders, such as churches, in 1995 to advance all of these efforts.

We’ve revitalized our commercial district to retain our historic past but also advanced it to serve current residents’ needs,” Pompa said. It’s truly an honor to receive this recognition, especially since volunteers have poured thousands of hours into the efforts to improve this area and it’s worked.”