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News Release

St. Helens Among Recipients Of “Excellence On Main” Awards - 10/08/25

SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street announced its 2025 “Excellence on Main” award winners on October 8 during the Opening Session of the Main Street conference in downtown Albany. Created in 2010, the annual Excellence on Main awards honor outstanding efforts to sustain and enhance historic downtowns across the state. This year's edition saw the acknowledgment of 11 remarkable projects, activities, and individuals. St. Helens was the recipient of the Best New Building award based on nominations by St. Helens Main Street Alliance.
 

2025 Best New Building Award: Houlton Hollow Building

The 2025 Best New Building Project Award goes to the Houlton Hollow Building in St. Helens, developed by Russ and Mary Hubbard of Hubbard Construction. Built on a long-vacant, basalt-filled lot, the project created seven one-bedroom apartments—three ADA-accessible—and a new retail space, blending modern needs with historic character through basalt stonework, reclaimed materials, and heritage-style details. Supported by an Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant, the building quickly filled with residents, boosted foot traffic, and demonstrated how thoughtful infill can strengthen housing, business, and community in the Main Street district.
 

“The Houlton Hollow Building showcases how thoughtful development, supported by the St. Helens Main Street Alliance, can transform a downtown,” said Sheri Stuart, state coordinator of Oregon Main Street. “Russ and Mary Hubbard have created a space that honors the city’s history while meeting modern needs, strengthening housing, business, and community vibrancy in the Main Street district.”
 

The Excellence on Main awards underscore the diverse facets of the Main Street Approach™, a comprehensive strategy developed by the National Main Street Center, which is embraced by Oregon Main Street Network communities. Through this approach, communities thrive by leveraging innovative projects, community-focused programs, and historic preservation to improve their vitality and enrich residents' lives.
 

The Oregon Main Street program empowers local economies, fosters community connections, and enhances the overall appeal of the state. The network of local Main Streets working within the Oregon Main Street program is a testament to the transformative impact of collaborative efforts, nurturing vibrant environments for residents, visitors, and workers alike. Discover more about the Oregon Main Street program's influence by visiting www.oregonmainstreet.org.

St. Helens Among Recipients Of “Excellence On Main” Awards - 10/08/25

SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street announced its 2025 “Excellence on Main” award winners on October 8 during the Opening Session of the Main Street conference in downtown Albany. Created in 2010, the annual Excellence on Main awards honor outstanding efforts to sustain and enhance historic downtowns across the state. This year's edition saw the acknowledgment of 11 remarkable projects, activities, and individuals. St. Helens was the recipient of the Best New Building award based on nominations by St. Helens Main Street Alliance.
 

2025 Best New Building Award: Houlton Hollow Building

The 2025 Best New Building Project Award goes to the Houlton Hollow Building in St. Helens, developed by Russ and Mary Hubbard of Hubbard Construction. Built on a long-vacant, basalt-filled lot, the project created seven one-bedroom apartments—three ADA-accessible—and a new retail space, blending modern needs with historic character through basalt stonework, reclaimed materials, and heritage-style details. Supported by an Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant, the building quickly filled with residents, boosted foot traffic, and demonstrated how thoughtful infill can strengthen housing, business, and community in the Main Street district.
 

“The Houlton Hollow Building showcases how thoughtful development, supported by the St. Helens Main Street Alliance, can transform a downtown,” said Sheri Stuart, state coordinator of Oregon Main Street. “Russ and Mary Hubbard have created a space that honors the city’s history while meeting modern needs, strengthening housing, business, and community vibrancy in the Main Street district.”
 

The Excellence on Main awards underscore the diverse facets of the Main Street Approach™, a comprehensive strategy developed by the National Main Street Center, which is embraced by Oregon Main Street Network communities. Through this approach, communities thrive by leveraging innovative projects, community-focused programs, and historic preservation to improve their vitality and enrich residents' lives.
 

The Oregon Main Street program empowers local economies, fosters community connections, and enhances the overall appeal of the state. The network of local Main Streets working within the Oregon Main Street program is a testament to the transformative impact of collaborative efforts, nurturing vibrant environments for residents, visitors, and workers alike. Discover more about the Oregon Main Street program's influence by visiting www.oregonmainstreet.org.