Editorial
After almost seven years as Main Street Lexington’s executive director, Rebecca Logan retired last month. But, her involvement with MSL goes back to its founding in 2013; as she was on the original board of directors. A lifelong graphic designer and art director, as well as a former downtown business owner, she served as the MSL design committee chair on and off until she was hired as the executive director in 2018.
Logan was honored at a retirement party in her honor last Tuesday, June 10, at the Lexington Visitor Center, with a capacity crowd on hand to wish her well. At the event outgoing Main Street board president David Feinour said of Logan, “Rebecca, when you took the helm at Main Street Lexington, you did far more than lead an organization. You championed a vision – one of a downtown that is functional and vibrant; a downtown that is historic and alive with possibility. You embraced the mission of Main Street Lexington, building a strong organization and building lasting connections with volunteers, businesses, property owners and residents. You’ve brought people together. You’ve made things happen. And you’ve done it all with grace, vision and relentless dedication.”
“It has been my pleasure to be a part of Main Street Lexington these past 11 years,” Logan said. “We have accomplished so much in a short amount of time, which was only possible with the leadership of the MSL board, the help of hundreds of volunteers and the support of the community.”
During Logan’s tenure as director, MSL welcomed new businesses to downtown, helped keep storefronts filled with retail tenants, awarded thousands of dollars to local businesses in the form of sign and awning grants, and helped Lexington’s downtown navigate the existential threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing $295,200 in relief funds. MSL has spearheaded multiple downtown beautification projects, including the recently completed Gateway Triangle Garden at the intersection of Main and Jefferson Streets.
Under Logan, MSL continued running numerous downtown events, such as the July Fourth Children’s Bike Parade, downtown trick-or-treating, the candlelight processional and tree lighting in November, the Jingle Bell Run and the Downtown Lexington Christmas Parade. Logan was involved in creating the Freedom Food Festival, and MSL continues to partner with other local organizations to present the festival each July.
We want to add our thanks and appreciation to Rebecca Logan for her dedication and hard work in keeping Main Street Lexington on course during her tenure as executive director. And we welcome Jeremy Franklin as the new executive director. His more than 20 years of experience in local non-profit organizations, including being MSL’s office manager since May of 2023, should stand him in good stead to keep the organization moving forward. We wish him and Main Street continued success.
Established in 2013, Main Street Lexington is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to support, enhance and promote downtown Lexington. For more information about MSL, visit www.mainstreetlexington. org.
