Logan Downtown Alliance earns Utah’s first National Main Street accreditation

In a first for the state, Utah Main Street and Main Street America have announced that the Logan Downtown Alliance has earned both state and national Main Street accreditation for its efforts at preservation-based economic growth. 

This designation coincides with National Historic Preservation Month and marks the first time a Utah community has met the performance standards set by both the state and national organizations.

“There is no better way to honor our past than ensuring our historic downtowns remain vibrant economic engines for our future,” said Gov. Spencer Cox. “The Logan Downtown Alliance has been able to strengthen and advocate for downtown business, preserving a unique culture and celebrating community spaces.”

“As the top designation for downtown revitalization, the Main Street recognition honors Logan’s dedication to fostering an energized hub for the Cache Valley community,” the organization said.

The alliance’s performance was evaluated through a comprehensive assessment by the Utah Main Street and Main Street America organizations.

“Our strategy to advocate for rehabilitation and new development projects continues to preserve Logan Downtown while creating jobs,” said Gary Saxton, executive director of the Logan Downtown Alliance. “These preservation-based projects boost tax revenue, attract tourism, strengthen small businesses and improve quality of life in Cache Valley.”

Since its launch in 2003, the alliance has worked to strengthen downtown businesses and preserve the city’s cultural landscape.

“This achievement is a shared victory for the city of Logan, resulting from a steady, year-over-year approach focused on community engagement and aligning the goals of local government, civic organizations and residents to build a shared sense of ownership for downtown development,” Saxton said.

“Logan has set a new benchmark for excellence in our state,” said Chelsea Gauthier, Utah Main Street program manager and state coordinator. “By becoming Utah’s first community to achieve both state and national accreditation, the alliance has proven economic success through the balance of preserving historic character with a forward-thinking economic strategy that can be a roadmap for every other Main Street community in Utah.”

Utah Main Street is a Main Street America coordinating program and is a place-based economic development and community preservation program housed in the Department of Cultural & Community Engagement under the State Historic Preservation Office. It helps to lead a grassroots network consisting of over 40 coordinating programs and over 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the country aimed at creating high-quality places and building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

The Logan Downtown Alliance said its mission is to strengthen and advocate for Logan downtown businesses and development, preserve the unique culture and history and “celebrate the spaces where our community gathers, connects and thrives by promoting events and experiences in dining, retail, visual arts, performing arts and entertainment.”