Denison Main Street named 2025 Great American Main Street; students recognized for StoryWalk repairs

Denison Mayor Robert Crowley proclaimed Denison Main Street the winner of the 2025 Great American Main Street Award and recognized Denison High School students and instructors for restoring StoryWalk kiosks damaged by vandals during the April 21 council meeting.

The proclamation — read at the meeting — credited Denison Main Street with downtown revitalization, citing what it described as about 300 downtown businesses, an 87% occupancy rate, roughly $60,000,000 in private investment and nearly $22,000,000 in public reinvestment since the program began. The council also thanked students from Denison High School’s Dentines service organization and career-technical classes for work on a restoration project that repaired the kiosks.

Mayor Crowley read the proclamation and praised the downtown program’s partners, including the Denison Development Alliance and Denison Area Chamber of Commerce. He called the award a recognition of sustained local effort and told those gathered, “Let’s give a hand for these guys.”

Council members called out student volunteers from the Dentines, and faculty and students from Denison High School’s Ag Mechanics, Robotics and Electronics programs. According to the council presentation, students organized by their instructor, Mr. Pridemore, rebuilt StoryWalk kiosks that had been damaged; the mayor’s remarks highlighted the students’ “dedication, craftsmanship, and willingness to serve.”

The council also recognized the Dentines’ financial support: the group’s fundraising was credited with purchasing supplies used in the reconstruction. Several students and program sponsors came forward for a brief presentation and photograph following the proclamation.

The item was ceremonial; no formal council action was required or taken on the proclamation or the StoryWalk recognition.