In January, the City of Buda was designated a Texas Main Street City by the Texas Historical Commission. Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott officially welcomed us into the program during a Dedication Ceremony in April.
A Resource Team with the Texas Main Street program recently paid a visit to Buda. Bringing a resource team to a newly designated Main Street City is something the Texas Main Street program has been doing since 1981, when the state program was originally created.
“Our design staff met with several property owners just to talk about our ideas. Our Small Business Development Specialist talked to a number of business owners just to give them ideas on social media and some different things like that to help enhance their businesses and they all requested the services," said Texas Main Street State Coordinator Debra Drescher.
Sandra Grizzle, who owns Old Main Street Station, says she welcomes the recommendations.
“First of all I’m very encouraged by having their help because I feel like this is a big step forward for our town and our community,” said Grizzle.
For Grizzle it’s important that the Main Street Program reflects the values of Old Town Buda.
"They’re like me, they want to preserve the old town. They’re not for bringing in neon signs and painting our buildings purple. I think it’s a real love affair with small towns and helping us.”
“There’s been a great interest from property owners on ideas for their historic buildings, on entrepreneurial development,” said Drescher.
To build an effective Main Street Program, the Resource Team came up with a few recommendations.
They included: tweaking grant programs for the best fit of Buda’s current needs, working with owners on small projects that are cost effective and make visible improvements, incorporating interactive public art throughout downtown, creating a task force to improve pedestrian safety, along with many more ideas.
“One of the very important things to remember about Main Street is that it is a program where anybody can be involved, whether you have a business downtown or you live in the community and just want to be involved in this effort," said Drescher.
The Texas Main Street Team will present a more extensive report to City Council at a later date. So far, they like what they see.
“You have a master plan which is already in place, which has created a lot of activity and vitality already for your downtown. You’re a very, very progressive City Government. We’re excited to be starting our relationship with Buda and this is just a great community and we look forward to a long relationship with you all.”
Public Information Officer David Marino produced a video on this story. You can watch it below.
Texas Main Street Resource Team Visit Video
