2026 Preservation Awards | Main Street District
Thursday, May 14th 2026
WINNER | Preservation Leadership
Main Street District
In the late 1990s, Main Street Columbia looked very different from the vibrant district seen today. Retail options were limited, few residents lived downtown, and activity largely ended after business hours. The transformation of Main Street into a thriving urban center is the result of a strategic, preservation-led vision championed by the Main Street District (MSD). By positioning historic preservation as a tool for economic development, MSD helped revitalize Columbia’s historic fabric while fueling a significant economic resurgence.
Originally formed 25 years ago as Center City Partnership, MSD became a catalyst for downtown revitalization. While early residential projects laid groundwork for growth, MSD recognized that sustainable progress required stronger development tools. The organization became a leading advocate for the 2014 designation of the Columbia Commercial Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. This designation expanded eligibility for Federal Historic Tax Credits and introduced preservation easements as a key tool for reinvestment in historic buildings.
The results have been striking. Between 2006 and 2016, property values across downtown Columbia increased by 19 percent. On the blocks where major preservation projects occurred, values rose by 85 percent. Though these projects occupied only three of the thirty-six blocks promoted by MSD, they accounted for 56 percent of the total increase in downtown property values during that decade.
Historic preservation also drove job and business growth. Employment on these project blocks increased by 101 percent over ten years, far outpacing the citywide growth rate of 7 percent. Between 2011 and 2014, the area experienced startup growth exceeding 600 percent and a 25 percent increase in small businesses, even as the broader city saw declines in the small business sector. Meanwhile, downtown housing units have increased by 137 percent since 2000, reflecting growing demand for urban living.
MSD continues to advocate for expansions of the historic district, with additional boundaries approved in 2017 and 2021. Because preservation easements are held in perpetuity, Columbia’s historic buildings will remain protected for future generations. Through vision, advocacy, and measurable impact, the Main Street District has demonstrated how historic preservation can serve as a powerful engine for economic growth, making MSD a deserving recipient of the Preservation Leadership Award.
Congratulations, Main Street District!
Main Street Revitalization Projects
Check out some of the other 2026 Preservation Award recipients:
2026 Preservation Awards | Conway Architectural Salvage & Heritage Project
Conway Architectural Salvage & Heritage Project received the inaugural Traditional Building Arts award for innovative leadership in preservation through deconstruction, education, and material salvage that transforms loss into opportunity and keeps historic craftsmanship alive for future generations.
2026 Preservation Awards | Bob Russell Realty Building
Constructed in 1967, the Bob Russell Realty Building was rehabilitated to restore its New Formalist character after years of interior alteration. Carefully reconstructed interiors and preserved exterior features maintain its architectural identity while supporting modern office use.
2026 Preservation Awards | Central Fire Station
The former Columbia Central Fire Station was transformed into The Lantern, a boutique hotel that reimagines the mid-century civic complex for contemporary use. Key architectural elements were retained while former operational spaces were adapted into welcoming hospitality areas.
2026 Preservation Awards | Horry-Guignard House
Erected around 1813, the Horry-Guignard House was rehabilitated in a phased effort that preserved its early historic fabric while adapting it for modern use. Restored exterior materials and sensitive interior upgrades allow it to continue serving as a functional space while retaining its historic character.