Historic Downtown – Main Street

What is Main Street? The Elgin Commercial Historic District includes 14 city blocks of commercial and industrial buildings. Most of these buildings are constructed of locally produced brick and were erected from 1872 to 1947. During the past 14 years private property owners, business owners, and the public sector have invested approximately $9 million in the downtown area. A majority of the buildings on Main Street, from Depot Street to First Street, have been restored and or renovated, and many are currently under renovation. The Elgin Main Street Program provides a variety of incentives to building owners such as a discounted paint program, free dumpsters, and free advice on architectural design and restoration. Primary funding for downtown projects comes from the annual Hogeye Festival in October. The Elgin Commercial Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Within the 14-block district, 67 buildings are considered contributing structures. A contributing structure is one, which as maintained its architectural integrity. Southside includes Central Avenue and Avenue C in the downtown district. There are five buildings under restoration in the Southside area.

Elgin became a Texas Main Street city in 1990, and in 1999, 2000 and 2001 was selected as a National Main Street Community. Main Street is a national approach to saving our heritage by preserving historic downtown areas. Each year three cities are selected by the Texas Historic Commission, Anice Read Main Street Center to become Main Street Cities. Communities make a commitment to hire a staff person, provide office space, supplies, and a small budget. The primary commitment is to preserving and revitalizing the historic commercial business district. Volunteerism is a key part of the success of any Main Street program.

Reinvestment Dollars Downtown Elgin became a Main Street City in 1990. The Economic Development Department maintains a record of downtown reinvestment. Main Street Board operates from a four-point approach. These four points are Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotions and Organization. A main Street board leads the overall revitalization effort. Each of the four focus areas becomes a separate committee that focuses on specific goals and objectives. The Design committee primarily deals with historic preservation guidelines for a city, signage in the downtown area, landscaping and streetscaping, accessibility requirements, building codes and architecture. The Organization produces a quarterly publication.

The Downtown 78621 is mailed to residents in the 78621 zip code. The promotions committee is responsible for promoting downtown and the Main Street program. They produce events like the annual Hogeye Festival and are also responsible for smaller events such as bench dedications and other activities staged in the downtown area. Economic Restructuring means business retention and recruitment. They assist the Chamber of Commerce in hosting quarterly “Business After Hours” events and other activities that promote downtown business development. See past issues!

HISTORIC REVIEW BOARD The Historic Review Board is responsible for reviewing all proposed changes within the district. Storefront restorations, sidewalk replacement and new signs are examples of projects that demand review. Anything that alters the appearances of a building with a district or a part of the district that is visible from the street or the Historic Review Board must review a public area. Their primary goal is to maintain the historic integrity of structures within the district that is visible from the street or a public area must be reviewed by the Historic Review Board. Their primary goal is to maintain the historic integrity of structures within the district thereby preserving this living piece of history. Board members are appointed by the City Council to serve a three-year term. They participate in informal training related to historic preservation and architecture one to three times per year. The Texas historic Commission Main Street Center is frequently utilized for expert advice. Elgin Main Street Nationally Recognized for Performance (Washington, D.C., April 2006, recognized annually since 1999) Historic District Design Guidelines

The efforts of Elgin Main Street have earned it recognition for excellence in the field of downtown revitalization program evaluates downtown revitalization programs based on strict criteria such as: broad based public support, historic preservation ethic, active board of directors, adequate funding, a paid professional manager and reporting of economic progress by providing statistical information. The program’s performance was evaluated by Texas Main Street Center, which is the statewide coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Texas.

The Main Street program creates a vibrant, multiple-use, pedestrian-friendly environment, in the traditional commercial district, thereby increasing economic vitality and saving historic buildings that make up the character and heritage of a community.” Said Kennedy Smith, director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center. “The people of Elgin should be proud of their achievement in their program’s development, and maintain their commitment to downtown revitalization”.

The Main Street program has been successful in Texas due in part to a partnership between Texas Main Street Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street Center. All of the communities in Texas that have met the criteria are: Beaumont, Breckenridge, Celina, Clifton, Denton, Elgin, Fort Stockton, Garland, Gilmer, Goliad, La Grange, Nacogdoches, New Braunfels, Rusk, San Marcos and Seguin. Says Smith; “These elite programs represent some of the finest community initiatives and some of the most successful revitalization efforts that exist in this country.”

Click here to download the “Downtown Revitalization Main Street”