Bringing Back Main Street Roundtables and Workshops

Participants heard an update from Eagle Lake and learned about strategies for revitalizing vacant storefronts. Attendees also engaged in a robust roundtable discussion following presentations.

Participants met in Cleveland to hear about incrementalism and collaboration in the City of Cleveland. We also heard about Texas Department of Agricultture's funding programs, and heard from representatives from the Beaumont District of the Texas Department of Transportation who shared information about collaborating with TxDOT. Participants were encouraged to explore downtown Cleveland following the presentations and brief roundtable.

A Conversation with TxDOT

H-GAC staff sat down with Ethan Beeson, the Texas Department of Transportation Houston-District Landscape Architect, to chat about efficient ways communities can work with TxDOT, including who to talk to, how to navigate the TxDOT website and project tracker tool, closing roadways, signage, and funding sources. The recording is part of H-GAC's Bringing Back Main Street program, offering resources and regular forums for local governments, non-profits, businesses, and other stakeholders discuss and implement downtown revitalization programs. This conversation was recorded in October 2024.

Participants met in Columbus to hear about incremental funding mechanisms for funding downtown revitalization, Columbus' Community Industrial Development Corporation, and policies and ordinances Columbus is using to remove barriers to business. We heard from the owners of Hound Song Brewing Company, who gave us a business owner perspective, and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce shared strategies for working with community partners. Participants were encouraged to explore downtown Columbus following the presentations and brief roundtable.

Participants learned more Angleton's Livable Centers Study and how incremental changes can have a big impact on a small downtown. Participants also engaged with an expert panel and shared their ideas for downtown revitalization during a roundtable discussion. The event concluded with a virtual tour of downtown Angleton.

Roundtable Panelists

Expert Panel: Resources and Strategies for Downtown Development

• Jose Cantu, Planner, Houston-Galveston Area Council
  • Community impacts of H-GAC’s Livable Centers program
• Martha Eighme, Director of Communications and Marketing, City of Angleton
  • Choosing the right team to spur revitalization efforts in your downtown
• Shad Comeaux, Principal and Vice President, Freese and Nichols, Inc.
  • How to develop an implementable plan
• Otis Spriggs, Director of Development Services, City of Angleton
  • Strategies for an aging community and potential funding sources
• Derrick Dees, Downtown Property Owner
  • A developer’s perspective on downtown redevelopment – The Dirty South and and Bowman Suite and Gayle Suite B&B

CM Credits

This event was eligible for 2.5 CM Credits from the American Planning Association.

Participants met in Texas City to hear about Texas City's Downtown revitalization efforts, including how to attract and support downtown development and the City's downtown assessment focusing on the historic district. We discussed the transformative impact of landscape architecture on community revitalization, and attendees participated in a roundtable covering several revitalization topics.

Participants met in Bay City to hear about Bay City's Main Street and Downtown Revitalization Efforts. Also on the program was an informatin from a developer's perspective and an overview of the Texas Downtown Association. The roundtable was followed by an optional walking tour of downtown Bay City.

Participants met in Rosenberg to hear about Rosenberg's accomplishments and plans for Historic Downtown Rosenberg. Also on the program was an update on Rosenberg's strategic planning efforts, a brief overview of fair housing, and highlights of Galveston's Historic District and historic preservation programs.

Participants met in Lake Jackson to hear strategies and tools the City of Lake Jackson is using to revitalize downtown, including public art installations and beautification projects.

Also on the program, representatives from the City of Navasota discussed downtown revitalization and engagement efforts, and the Houston-Galveston Area Local Development Corporation gave an overview of economic development resources and tools available at H-GAC.

As part of the annual Rural and Small Town Downtown Revitalization Summit at H-GAC, participants learned about recent trends in tourism and how visitors from out-of-town (and in town) can be beneficial to downtown revitalization.

This event was eligible for 3 CM Credits from the American Planning Association.

Participants met in Waller to hear from the City of Waller and the Waller Economic Development Corporation discussing the planning process and available resources they’re using to revitalize their downtown and attract developers to the community. New businesses in town and a developer provided additional insight. Presentations were followed by a walking tour of Main Street in Waller.

Participants met in El Campo to learn how cities can support new businesses and how entrepreneurs can market and grow their businesses. Presentations were followed by a walking tour of downtown El Campo.

Participants explored Building Downtowns from Scratch with presenters discussing how to strategically plan for and implement downtown gathering spaces. Jeff Taebel, FAICP, Director of Community and Environmental Planning and H-GAC, and Rick Leisner, Principal at Norris Design,shared information about the benefits of building a downtown and strategies for getting started, followed by a robust audience-led discussion during an Ask the Expert Roundtable.