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HomeMy WebLinkAboutreporter.july07The Main Street program did not entail grants from the state or federal government. It relied on and contin- ues to rely on local resources through a private and public partnership for downtown revitalization. One of the first successful efforts was the creation of a low-interest loan pool. In 1982, McCalla and City Manager Leo Wood contacted three local banks and two savings and loans to provide $100,000 in low-interest loans. Each lender agreed to offer $20,000 at six-percent interest, which was a very low rate at the time. Building owners could receive up to $10,000 for improvements to the exteriors of their buildings. The program was a quick success. After the first $100,000 was used by local business owners, McCalla and Wood convinced the local lenders to offer a second loan pool of $150,000 at eight-percent interest—still a relatively low rate at the time. © City of Georgetown, 2007 With new restaurants, shops, a sports bar and grill, and full houses at the Palace Theater, Georgetown’s historic Square is a lively place. But it wasn’t always this way. In the late 1970’s, Georgetown’s downtown Square had fallen into disrepair. Windows were covered in plywood and businesses struggled. Linda McCalla, Georgetown’s first Main Street manager, says the problem was not unique to Georgetown. “Small towns were dying. Downtowns were looking seedy and neglected,” says McCalla. When Georgetown’s Main Street program started in 1982, the City had no economic development department and no convention and visitors bureau. The Main Street program was economic development, tourism, preservation, and promotion all wrapped into one. From the beginning, Main Street was conceived as a self-help program for downtown revi- talization. VOL.5 • NO.7 A Publication of the City of Georgetown July 2007 By 1984, more than 44 down- town businesses had renovated or painted their buildings, including nearly every storefront on the Square. “Once the ball got rolling, peer pressure demanded that every building improve,” says McCalla. More renovations and new public building projects continued through the 1980s and 1990s. More than $9 million in private investment and $19 million in public investments had revived Georgetown’s old commercial district by 1997. That year, Georgetown was the first city in Texas to be named a Great American Main Street City, the highest honor given by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Eugenia Harrell, who was Main Street manager at the time, has since remained active as a Main Street volunteer. After the historic Lockett Building burned in a fire and was badly damaged in 1998, a City of Georgetown Georgetown Main Street Program 25 Years of Do-It-Yourself Revitalization The Evans Building in 1982. Judy and Len Lester (with daughter Rachel) who ren- ovated the Evans Building and opened The Escape Fine Crafts and Gifts in that location in 2002. A series of events were held May 18 – 19 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Georgetown Main Street program. At a dinner and dance fundraiser called A Sterling Celebration, Linda McCalla, Leo Wood, Eugenia Harrell, and Renee Hanson each received awards for their many years of service to Georgetown’s historic downtown district. The dinner and dance raised $8,000 for the Facade and Sign Grant Fund. The Weir family also received an award. Georgetown Main Street Managers Linda McCalla (1982 – 1984) and Shelly Hargrove (2003 – present). Revitalization continued on back Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org Volunteers Needed for AT&T Games of Texas Hundreds of volunteers are needed for the AT&T Games of Texas, the official state games of Texas held in Williamson County July 21 – 29. The Games of Texas is a governed by the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation. As many as 10,000 athletes and 40,000 spectators are expected for the Games, which include twenty competitive events. The boxing, softball, and tennis venues are in Georgetown. To volunteer, contact the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department at (512) 930-3595. To find out more about the Games of Texas, go to www.taaf.com/gamesoftexas. National Night Out on August 7 Each year on the first Tuesday in August, neighborhoods across Georgetown and in other communities across the nation organize block parties in recognition of National Night Out. This year, the event will be on Tuesday, August 7 from 7 – 9 p.m. The Georgetown Police Department organizes the annual event to encourage neighbors to get out and meet one another. “I encourage people to register their block party with me as soon as they can,” says Officer Jim Seals, coordinator for this year’s event. “We will make every effort to send a Georgetown Police Officer to meet people at each one.” Applications to register neighborhood block parties can be found online at www.georgetown.org, or can be picked up at the Police Department at 809 Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. Call Officer Jim Seals at (512) 930-2597 for details. Downtown Happenings The Palace Theater 1776, weekends June 1 – July 4 Steel Magnolias, weekends July 13 – Aug. 5 Youth and Teen Summer Workshops, June – Aug. Details at www.thegeorgetownpalace.org, or call (512) 869-7469. First Friday, July 6 Downtown shops, galleries, and restaurants open 6 – 8 p.m. Market Days, July 14 Handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, woodcrafts, ironworks, and more. Facade and Sign Grant program was started to assist building owners with renovations or complete reconstruction. The Lockett Building was rebuilt and has since been home to restaurants and banquet facilities. The Facade and Sign Grant program, which is funded in part by revenue from Red Poppy Festival, has awarded more than $56,000 since that time to assist downtown building owners with renovations. In other ways in recent years, the City took steps to create a vision for the downtown and preserve its historic character. Renee Hanson, the City’s first planner in the 1980s, worked with City staff to develop a downtown master plan. She also helped to establish a downtown overlay district and the Historic Architectural Review Commission that implements the design guidelines in that area. As a result of her work, Hanson was named the 2003 Hero of Main Street by the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic News Desk Preservation in Washington. Private investments have accelerated in recent years with major renovations on the Masonic Lodge, the Mileham Building, the Gold’s Building, and others. The City of Georgetown and Williamson County have continued to invest in the downtown as well. Since 1982, the total public investment in building, streetscape, and renovation projects by the City and Williamson County tops $120.9 million, culminat- ing later this year in the restoration of the Williamson County Courthouse. That $9 million project includes a $3.75 million grant from the Texas Historical Commission. New building owners continue to remake the downtown Square and have created a busy downtown entertainment district. Four high- density, mixed-use projects along Austin Avenue promise to add new residents, restaurants, and shops on the north end of downtown. The healthy Central Texas economy and booming population will likely bring more investors and entrepre- neurs to Georgetown, and more renovations on the Square. The can-do spirit that made Georgetown a leader in downtown revitalization 25 years ago continues to keep it a vibrant and unique place today. CI T Y Revitalization Continued The Masonic Lodge Building, without its onion dome, in 1982. Judith Manriquez and Chris Damon, owners of GX Creative, renovated the Masonic Lodge Building, home to their business and Romeo’s restaurant. The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of Georgetown Public Information Office located in City Hall, 113 E. Eighth Street, Georgetown, Texas, 78626. For questions or comments, contact Keith Hutchinson, Public Information Officer for the City of Georgetown at (512) 930-3690, or by email at pio@georgetowntx.org.