Downtown Waynesville’s revitalization success received yet another accolade last month.

Ron Huelster, executive director for the Downtown Waynesville Association, was named a 2004 Main Street Champion by the North Carolina Main Street Association. The Downtown Waynesville Association nominated Huelster for his exceptional contributions to the downtown revitalization process.

Two buildings on Main Street and a third building on Depot Street are currently undergoing restoration and major reconstruction. Intended uses have not been revealed by the various owners yet, but uses known so far include retail and vacation apartment rentals.

The large three-story building on Church Street was recently purchased with plans for renovating it to house the medical billing company run by the building’s new owner, as well as leased office space and a restaurant on the ground floor. The former Stage Door, a vacant run-down concrete building on Montgomery Street, has also been recently purchased with long-range plans to erect a brand-new building on the site. Meanwhile, the town is plugging away at expanding the streetscape motif on Wall Street.

“Ron is ultimately the reason downtown Waynesville is so successful,” Downtown Waynesville Association stated on its nominating form for Huelster.

1n 1985, Huelster was instrumental in the formation of a steering committee of concerned citizens to address the issue of downtown revitalization and explore the idea of starting a Main Street program, which evolved into the Downtown Waynesville Association. A special taxing district was created to fund the organization, downtown initiatives and an executive director.

The Downtown Waynesville Association is marking its twentieth anniversary year this year.