South Side Local Development Co. received the overall Mainstreet Excellence award for its work over the past 20 years in reviving the business district in the South Side.

The award was one of several presentations made to community groups at a Mainstreets Pittsburgh Awards ceremony last Thursday by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and city officials.

The URA and city awarded $450,000 in Mainstreets Pittsburgh funding in 2004 for projects in 20 neighborhood shopping districts.

The South Side group, a nonprofit organization, was honored for helping 24 new businesses open in the South Side, helping to secure additional parking for City Theatre, developing a shopping guide and redesigning its Web site.

Bloomfield Business Association received an Excellence in Promotion award for the neighborhood's "Little Italy Days" and Columbus Day parade.

Neighborhood organizations and projects in the Strip District, Lawrenceville, Oakland, Allentown and the North Side also were honored.