EDC staff told the board on March 17 that the mayor has directed a coordinated, multiagency effort to develop a comprehensive downtown revitalization plan tied to the two‑to‑three‑year loop construction. The EDC and Main Street will hold an initial workshop this week that will include local property owners, code enforcement, real-estate representatives and TxDOT personnel; the meeting will begin in the morning with a working lunch and include a trolley tour of downtown buildings in need of attention.

Staff said the effort will produce a written action plan that could include façade grants, incentives and other tools to encourage rehabilitation of historic downtown buildings; the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) sidewalk project the board discussed covers Britton Avenue only but includes electrical work, lighting, kiosk improvements and ADA accessibility for the four-block downtown corridor. Staff noted the CDBG budget for the Britton Avenue work is approximately $500,000 plus $50,000 from the city.

Presenters emphasized several recurring obstacles: some downtown parcels have many owners on a single deed, complicating rehabilitation or sale; EDC economic-development funds are limited in how they may be applied (staff said residential properties may not qualify under current program rules); and the loop construction and heavy-truck routing will require coordination with TxDOT and possibly an ordinance to restrict heavy traffic on downtown streets to reduce vibration damage to historic buildings.

Other items raised during the executive director’s report included a proposal to formally name the old fire station after Speedy Guffey, an early volunteer fire-department founder; the EDC will pursue a commemorative plaque and family outreach. Staff also reported progress on nominating Carlos' Cafe for a Texas treasure designation for statewide promotion and said staff are preparing applications and promotional materials.

Staff encouraged board members to attend the Main Street workshop and said the initiative will meet monthly; the mayor and preservation committee will be engaged as the written plan is drafted.

Details staff provided about the workshop: start time near 9:00 a.m., a working lunch, a midday trolley tour and discussions about sidewalk, awning and façade standards that may require TxDOT review for work adjacent to state rights-of-way.