Celebrating 30 years of Progress
May 2011 • COMMUNITY HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION • P.O. BOX 12276, AUSTIN, TX 78711 • 512.463.6092
although businesses
Spotlight on had begun to move
to the Interstate
Texarkana 30/mall area. One of
(Texarkana, Texas population is our prominent busi-
approximately 36,000, nessmen decided
Texarkana, Arkansas approx. downtown proprie-
30,000) tors needed to band
together to prevent a
OUR TALE OF TWO hemorrhaging, so
CITIES Business Organiza-
With apologies to Shakespeare, our tion for a New
―Tale of Two Cities‖ is much dif- Downtown (BOND)
ferent — or is it… was formed. It was
U.S. federal courthouse and downtown post office.
quite successful for
By way of explanation, Texarkana many years —
providing business advice and few people snapped up many of
is a city in two states divided by a them just for taxes owed; and this
line down the street. Subsequently, events, plus incredible Christmas
lighting displays throughout the once-thriving center became a
we are the only bi-city/bi-state ghost town before and after dark
Main Street program in the nation. core area.
with only a few exceptions.
―Challenging‖ is the endearing
word for making Main Street Tex- Unfortunately, shoppers continued
migrating north. Businesses fol- Fast forward to 2004: After nu-
arkana (MST) work. merous changes in local organiza-
lowed. Downtown then became a
haven for jails since there was ―not tional leadership, Executive Direc-
Background: In the 1980s, down- tor Bethany Hanna finally persuad-
town Texarkana was still thriving much else.‖ Beautiful structures
were demolished to build the Bi- ed the Arkansas side to apply for
State Justice Center (think Main Street designation which was
giant concrete box) on State granted. Many conversations and
Line right in front of the tweaks within the Texas and Ar-
stately 1930 Union Station. kansas Main Street programs fol-
All adjacent buildings that lowed, resulting in Texarkana be-
housed the former Texar- coming the unique ―Twin‖ Main
kana Mail Terminal were Street Texarkana in 2006.
converted into a county
punishment center, and Bail There have been a few changes in
Bond businesses moved in. directors and board members since
2006 with the newest director (me)
Buildings became derelict having assumed the position last
ArtSparK. Texarkana’s downtown public art park
on both sides of town. A August 2010. With a new board of
with a landscaped area tracing the history of the directors, plus fresh ideas and
Texarkana area since the Caddo Indian era.
commitments, Main Street Texar- Marketing/Development for
kana is once again a viable entity the Texarkana Regional Arts
determined to make a difference. and Humanities Council, Inc.
(TRAHC), for the previous 10
years (Perot Theatre, Regional
Enter the word ―Challenge.‖ The Arts Center, etc.) I was al-
Twins have major issues that have ready doing exactly what the
nothing to do with Main Street but Chamber wanted and needed.
have impacted this organization on Since the Chamber could not
almost all levels. We currently have afford a full-time tourism per-
two mayors who regularly meet to son, this was a logical fit.
talk. Understanding the hurdles,
they are both definitely, and publi- By December, both cities Former Curly’s Cleaners, Furriers and Hatters
cally, committed to reinvesting in funded Main Street Texarkana Building restoring original mural painted in late
Downtown. in the amount of $30,000 1940s.
each. This was an exciting de- Unfortunately, financing continues
Challenges include: Different parture from the past two years. to be a real problem.
zoning laws; different ordinances; The Texas side provided a match-
different permits; different permit- ing mini-grant of $10,000 for fa- Highly successful community-
ting procedures; one side has a his- çade improvements which they sponsored runs and walks, plus a
torical district—the other side does awarded. MST is going back next national bicycle race have chosen
not; one side has legal alcohol—the year for more. Also appreciated was downtown for their events; and
other side thinks it doesn’t (but it the $5,000 matching mini-grant we’re already planning an ―electric‖
does!); restaurants and bars on one program from Arkansas Main Christmas parade to top last year’s.
side—arts and historical land- Street. However, people from one plus, Main Street Texarkana has
marks/cultural tourism entities on side see X paid for and wonder established a Revolving Loan Fund
the other. One side has had the why they can’t get the same thing. ($90,000) for gap financing with
benefits of state program funding An explanation of how the two plans to raise another $10,000 so
for renovations/repairs/slipcover states differ in funding mechanisms we have $50,000 available to loan
removals/façade improvements— always has to follow. Both states businesses for each side in 2012.
the other side does not (Texarkana provided consultants’ assistance in The Texas (city) side has applied
Texas is an entitlement city, so one form or another at no charge, for Brownfield’s money to help
Main Street funding is tied to and will continue to do so. This is clean up some of the more danger-
CDBG allotments. Additionally, we tremendously valuable since AR ous buildings rather than tearing
are not eligible for other Texas Main Street no longer has infra- them down, which is very encour-
grants). We also have the typical structure money to award, and we aging. And they’re quite engaged in
challenges of downtown organiza- do not get Texas Main Street mon- finding a large hotel/mixed use
tions of trying to please everyone. I ey. One really high note that gave tenant for a gateway property, as
could go on, but I’d rather get to the improved MST our first public well as making their side cleaner
the good news! boost was the most successful and more welcoming. The Arkan-
Christmas Parade in anyone’s sas side has planned a city-wide
August 2010: In order to continue memory. Thousands lined the clean-up apart from Texas, but they
the program, an agreement was streets! have also agreed to help with the
signed with the Texarkana Cham- Texas Downtown Earth Day event.
ber of Commerce to house MST Since January: Four businesses In return, we’ll help them with visi-
and for the Chamber to utilize the and one church have opened (one a ble changes to the entire downtown
communications, marketing, and half-million dollar+ club); two area to make it more welcoming.
tourism development strengths of closed and a $4-million develop-
the Executive Director for Cham- ment is scheduled for an August TO DO—COLLABORATION:
ber initiatives. In return, they would debut. Interest in downtown build- MST must bring both sides to the
pay a portion of the salary including ings and loft apartments has been table on ordinances, zoning, and
medical coverage. This saved Main tremendous and steady; some en- permits using historical standards.
Street Texarkana! Fortunately, I got trepreneurs have had plans drawn. Trying to restore/renovate 1900s
the job. Having been Director of buildings with 2010 codes is a huge
Texas Main Street Program Main Street Matters, May 2011 Page 2
deterrent to developing both sides. For three decades, the #1 topic in See what you can do and what oth-
Right now, though, neither can every community discussion has er communities are doing across
budge. Therefore, MST envisions been ―Downtown,‖ with the same the nation for Preservation Month
an overlay so that we are not Texas mantra: “Somebody ought to do some- at
or Arkansas, but downtown. MST thing!‖ Our first membership drive www.preservationnation.org/take-
also plans to work with both cities in two years is underway so we action/preservation-month/
on ―demolition by neglect‖ ordi- have acknowledged that sentiment
nances. Overpriced buildings are by closing our appeal letter with:
not selling and these structures are “Somebody ought to do something about
falling into disrepair. We have to Downtown? We Are… Will YOU?” Congratulations to Our
fight perception problems of noth- And, as always, MAIN STREET 2011 Main Street Cities
ing downtown, not safe, homeless- MATTERS! Celebrating Their Very
ness, dirty and derelict, etc. These Successful First Lady’s
are huge speed bumps, but changes Thanks to Nita Fran Hutcheson,
will happen because new partner- Texarkana Main Street Executive Events April 27 and 29!
ships are in development—one Director for providing this article.
with the Homeless Coalition and
others with various beautification
NEWS
groups as well as our continuing
efforts with both cities. (Example: Celebrate Preservation
mismatched city codes prevent Month and See the Texas
hanging flower baskets on light Historic Sites for Free
poles on both sides; but that’s an- The Texas Historical Commission
other tale you really don’t want to and Texas Parks and Wildlife De-
hear!). partment have joined forces to cel-
ebrate Preservation Month by of-
It is exciting that MST has both fering free admission at all state Kingsville
mayors support and that many historic sites on Sunday, May 15.
Twin City departments are working
together with us (the parade was an Preservation Month, sponsored by
excellent beginning for us). the National Historic Trust for
Preservation, encourages communi-
Amtrak/Texas Eagle is on board ty members to celebrate and be-
with MST, so we’re developing come involved in local preservation
plans with them to enhance their projects and historic sites. This
station. We are also working with year’s theme is Celebrating Ameri-
both cities, both states, and the ca’s Treasures.
Chamber of Commerce to enhance
the State Line Avenue corridor Commemorate your local history Uvalde
leading into downtown. MST is and visit a state historic site for
going to great lengths to encourage free. From military strongholds to
both sides to be involved in making house museums, plantations and
downtown a destination—whether Native American settlements, these
it’s events or projects, our goal is to historic sites offer visitors the op-
erase the ―line‖ and work for a portunity to truly experience the
thriving, re-energized downtown to real places of Texas and the stories
―Eat, Play, Stay‖—our new MST they preserve.
slogan. We will forge ahead and
focus on economic development See this link
through preservation, re-purposing, www.thc.state.tx.us/hsites/hsdefaul
education, and community in- t.shtml for the list of state historic Vernon
volvement. sites. Contact the individual site for
details and special event activities.
Texas Main Street Program Main Street Matters, May 2011 Page 3
Statewide Historic 2007 after the plumbing and other May 7, Taylor
mechanical systems failed. The Taylor Zest Fest, Taylor Main
Preservation Plan
Street Program’s annual fundraiser,
Texas’ new Statewide Historic
Currently the historic landmark is will be held in historic downtown
Preservation Plan now has a web-
being renovated into mixed-use between Second and Fifth Streets
site at
retail, office, residential, meeting from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will
www.preservationconnection.com/
space complex like those in large good eats, great shopping, unique
It has added features, such as a
urban cities. It is called The Reese. Kids’ Fest, and live music and en-
Preservation Network where part-
The first floor features Colletti’s, an tertainment all day long. Come join
ners (that’s you!) can input their
upscale Italian restaurant, with a us to see just how friendly a small
information to be included in a
brick oven, which is now officially town can be! See
statewide directory. There is a Tell
open. First floor retail will be http://www.ci.taylor.tx.us/index.as
Your Story page, where you can
available soon, with offices on the px?NID=321
add local projects/case studies/best
second floor; residential condos of
practices that tie to the plan. The
approx. 24,00 square feet each on May 13–14, Bridgeport
goal is for this website to act as a
the third and fourth floors; and a Bridgeport’s Butterfield Stage Days
dynamic information resource with
meeting/special event center on the features a PRCA rodeo, dance,
people contributing to it frequently.
fifth floor. This will be a game- vendors, entertainment, Bridgeport
The more of you that participate,
changer for downtown Harlingen! Idol, and loads of frontier fun for
the more communities across Texas
the entire family. It will be a day of
will benefit.
excitement as we retrace the steps
EVENTS of our Wild West ancestors and
Please remember if you want one imagine what it was like to travel
AROUND THE STATE and live during the long and dan-
of your Main Street events posted
Harlingen gerous days on the Butterfield Trail.
here, email
The historic five-story, 73,000 For more information, visit
jill.robinson@thc.state.tx.us at least
square foot, Reese-Wil-Mond Hotel www.bridgeportchamber.org.
three weeks ahead of the month in
(named for the owner’s three sons
which you want the posting.
Reese, William, and Raymond) May 13–15, Grapevine
opened in 1927 in downtown Harl-
May 6–7, Brenham
ingen. The hotel was touted as the
The 121st annual Maifest is one of
only fireproof hotel south of San
the oldest German festivals in Tex-
Antonio—built of reinforced con-
as. This event includes a colorful
crete and brick, as opposed to
parade, coronation ceremony, food,
frame construction. Air condi-
crafts, and exhibits. Enjoy polkas,
tioned rooms were $2.50 per day
waltzes, and country music cele-
when it opened. It was billed as the
brating Brenham’s rich German The 27th annual Main Street Days
―Travelling Man’s and Convention
heritage. Historic downtown Bren- outdoor exhibition features demon-
Headquarters of the Valley‖ and
ham. See www.maifest.org strations, education, and interactive
featured large sample rooms for
salesmen to display their wares. A activities in historic downtown
May 7, New Braunfels Grapevine. The wine tastings will
rooftop garden and dance floor
The 8th Annual Wein & include vintages from Grapevine
with a movable stage for vaudeville
Saengerfest will be held all day in and Texas, for those who want to
acts made it a popular gathering
historic downtown New Braunfels sample homegrown wines, as well
place for the community. For dec-
on Saturday, May 7, 2011. Along as wines from the West Coast, Italy
ades, it was the site of many con-
with wine and beer tasting, our and points beyond. Children will
ventions, meetings, dances, wed-
event offers a host of entertain- enjoy the carnival and the Grape-
dings, and social events. Banquet
ment and activities that include vine vintage railroad excursions.
facilities and catering were superior
continuous live music, a grape There will be non-stop entertain-
for the area. From 1970-2005 it
stomp, art market, wine seminars, ment on four stages, a grilling
served as Heritage Manor, a senior
Chef’s Showdown, and activities competition, winery tours, and
citizens home operated by the
for the kids! more. For more information, see
Harlingen Housing Authority. It
was sold to a private investor in www.grapevinetexasusa.com
Texas Main Street Program Main Street Matters, May 2011 Page 4
May 21, Mount Vernon py‖ hour on Friday, June 3 and Conference May 22–25, Main
The Piney Woods Wine Trail is the again on Saturday morning and Street Iowa will celebrate 25 years
second largest wine trail in Texas afternoon June 4. Festival hours of developing one of the strongest
and will include great wines, food, will be Friday, June 3, from 5 p.m. Main Street coordinating programs
music, and shopping in beautiful to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 4, in the country. The 2011 National
downtown Mount Vernon. The day from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Festivities Main Streets Conference will take
will include wine tastings, wine take place in the north end of your Main Street program to the
sales, live music, artisan foods, and Quakertown Park at 321 E. next level by continuing to grow
crafts. Taste your way through the McKinney, just a few blocks north- your support, your economic
diverse wines of East Texas. From east of the Denton County historic strength, and the national move-
the sweet to the savory, you'll find courthouse square. Attendees can ment. There will be a focus on the
it here! enjoy a canine couture fashion recruitment, retention, strengthen-
show , live entertainment, demos ing and support of your local busi-
Seventeen wineries from East Tex- and performances by canines and nesses. Des Moines’ very successful
as will be on hand for the wine tast- their trainers, glamfur photos, ca- green efforts will also be show-
ings and to answer any questions nine contests, arts and craft ven- cased. For more on the conference,
you may have. See dors, pet care information, pet res- see
www.visitmtvernontx.com cue groups and fantastic festival www.preservationnation.org/main-
foods. Stay cool at the event in the street/training/conference/2011-
May 20–21, Mount Vernon Cool Zone by Invisible Fence of des-moines/
May Fair 2011 is a juried fine art Greater Dallas–expanded for more Note: This year, Texas Main Street
show and sale at the Cultural Arts comfort this year. See staff will not be attending the national
Center, one block west of the his- http://dentondogdays.com/main conference, so we will not be able to
toric downtown square in Mount coordinate the Texas section at the
Vernon. The show will include a opening session or the group dinner.
variety of fine art. See CONFERENCES/
www.visitmtvernontx.com
Texas managers attending are still
WORKSHOPS encouraged to sit together during the
June 3–4, Denton National Main opening session and getting together for
This year, dogs and their best Streets Conference dinner if possible.
friends can start their weekend fun
in Des Moines
in the evening shade at the Dog
Hosting the National Main Streets
Days of Denton Celebration ―yap-
Texas Main Street Program Main Street Matters, May 2011 Page 5
2011 Calendar of Events
May 22–25, 2011, Des Moines, Iowa
National Main Streets Annual Conference (www.mainstreet.org)
June 15–17, 2011, Denton
Texas Main Street Summer Workshop. June 16 will be an all-day Preserve America workshop open to the public. More
information on the topic of the Preserve America workshop to come.
Nov. 1–4, 2011, Nacogdoches
Texas Downtown Association/Texas Main Street Annual Conference (www.texasdowntown.org)
Websites of Interest
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: www.achp.gov
African American Heritage Preservation Foundation: www.aahpfdn.org
(The) Alliance for Historic Landscape Preservation: www.ahlp.org
American Institute of Architects: www.aia.org
American Planning Association: www.planning.org
American Society of Landscape Architects: www.asla.org
(The) Cultural Landscape Foundation: www.tclf.org
Handbook of Texas Online: www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online
Institute for Cultural Landscape Studies: www.icls.harvard.edu
Keep Texas Beautiful: www.ktb.org
League of Historic American Theaters: www.lhat.org
National Main Street Center: www.preservationnation.org/main-street
National Park Service: www.nps.gov
National Trust for Historic Preservation: www.preservationnation.org
Texas Department of Rural Affairs: www.tdra.texas.gov
Preservation Easement Trust: www.preservationeasement.org
Preservation Directory: www.preservationdirectory.com
Preservation Texas: www.preservationtexas.org
Project for Public Spaces: www.pps.org
Rails to Trails: www.railstotrails.org
Sacred Places: www.sacredplaces.org
Scenic America: www.scenic.org
Texas Commission on the Arts: www.arts.state.tx.us
Texas Downtown Association: www.texasdowntown.org
Texas Folklife Resources: www.texasfolklife.org
Texas Historical Commission: www.thc.state.tx.us
Texas Parks and Wildlife: www.tpwd.state.tx.us
Texas Rural Leadership Program: www.trlp.org
Texas State Preservation Board: www.tspb.state.tx.us
Urban Land Institute: www.uli.org
Texas Main Street Program
Texas Historical Commission
P. O. Box 12276
Austin, TX 78711-2276
512.463.6092, Fax 512.463.5862