BUDA MAIN STREET PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL ACCREDITATION; CELEBRATES MAIN STREET WEEK
AUSTIN, Texas—The Texas Main Street Program (TMSP) of the Texas Historical Commission (THC) has recognized the Buda Main Street Program for successful annual progress in carrying out national performance standards for a Main Street community. Buda is one of 68 to be recommended this year. The TMSP began in 1981 as one of the first state-coordinating programs in the country. Local Main Street programs focus on responsibly utilizing a community’s historic assets for economic benefit and increased quality of life.
Buda was approved for national accreditation by the National Main Street Center/Main Street America™, during the Main Street Now conference March 25–27, 2019 in Seattle, Wash. In recognition of this achievement and to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the program, the City of Buda will be celebrating Main Street Week during the week of April 14-20, 2019 by proclaiming the week at Buda City Council, highlighting local achievements and featuring all foods Main Street that leads into the “Dine Like a Local” campaign. Citizens will be encouraged to share their food pictures for a chance to win a $50 gift card to their favorite downtown restaurant and have their picture land on a billboard encouraging visitors to dine like a local.
“Since 1981, many Texas communities have participated in the Main Street network and used its preservation-based framework to generate positive economic gains for their local economies and the state,” said THC Executive Director Mark Wolfe. “These positive strides happen because of local commitment to prioritize historic downtowns.”
Downtown has seen tremendous growth from Old Town Buda to the Buda Mill & Grain Co. The new variety of home-grown businesses is due in part to the efforts made by property owners along Main St., support from City Council and the local community. Just last fall, the Buda Mill & Grain Co. was named Best Economic Game Changer in the state of Texas for communities under 50,000 population by the Texas Downtown Association for their role in reshaping the historic downtown. Buda Bike Co. was named a finalist for Best Commercial Interior for the same category. In addition:
· In 2018, 19 events were hosted in Downtown by the city and partner organizations
· In 2018, at least eight businesses utilized the Downtown Improvement Grant (DIG) to reinvest over $82,000 in historic buildings, property and signage
· Since 2017, there were 24 new business starts, expansions & relocations resulting in at least 70 new jobs created
· Over 5,000 volunteer hours were logged from the local community and partner organizations
· Over $2.7 million dollars have been reinvested in Historic Downtown Buda since 2017
To achieve accreditation, local programs provide evidence of annual progress under a selected criteria including engaged partnerships, staffing, volunteer efforts, preservation ethics, physical improvements in the district and growth in program capacity. The state office also works with programs throughout the year providing services catered to local needs.
“The annual reporting process recognizes the hard work of local programs, and we commend the dedication of city leaders, program staff, local volunteers, and partners who make it possible,” said Debra Drescher, TMSP state coordinator.
During 2018, more than $180 million was reinvested into Texas’ 89 Main Street districts. Additionally, 427 small businesses and 1,480 jobs were created. During 2018, the state network reached an important milestone when $4 billion in historical reinvestment was reached and surpassed. For additional information about the national Main Street effort, visit mainstreet.org. For more information on the THC’s Texas Main Street Program, visit thc.texas.gov/mainstreet. For more information about the Buda Main Street Program contact Maggie Gillespie, Buda Main Street Program Manager at 512.523.1075 or via email at mgillespie@ci.buda.tx.us.
The THC’s Texas Main Street Program is a revitalization program for historic downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. It is based on a Four-Point Approach™ —organization, design, promotion, and economic vitality—within the context of historic preservation. Implemented nationwide and in Texas in 1981, the Texas program has assisted 178 communities of all sizes throughout the state. For more information, contact Debra Drescher at 512-463-5758 or debra.drescher@thc.texas.gov.
