The Paddock held an extended strategic discussion about downtown revitalization ideas, including an interim food‑truck/event court at the city‑owned lot on the Moore/Rockwall corner, a façade and awning improvement program for downtown buildings, seasonal banners/flags, sidewalk power‑washing and concept options for murals or projection lighting on blank walls.

Board members and staff emphasized a phased approach: use the Moore/Rockwall lot as a transitional public space with defined utility hookups (water/electric/drainage) and permits so food trucks and vendors can operate from a designated, revenue‑tracked location rather than on private parking lots. Staff reminded the board that the lot was purchased to enable South Alley roadway reconfiguration tied to railroad crossing safety work; any interim uses should preserve the future right‑of‑way and utilities.

On building improvements, members proposed a canopy/awning campaign to refresh storefronts and provide shade, with options ranging from canvas canopies to metal awnings and matching paint/trim work. Board members discussed potential cost‑share models (city pays a portion, landlord pays the rest), legal/liability concerns for installing fixtures on historic façades, and whether to pursue a comprehensive uniform look or a targeted pilot for a small set of buildings.

Other near‑term 'low hanging fruit' suggestions included power‑washing sidewalks, planting fuller displays in downtown planters, improved signage enforcement for outdated storefront signs, rotating seasonal lighting on downtown rooftops and lamppost banners, and a spring clean campaign paired with market events. Staff and the board agreed to gather visual examples, engineer dimensions for the Moore/Rockwall lot and cost estimates for a pilot façade/awning program and to consider code‑enforcement coordination for vacant properties.

Next steps: staff will return with engineering dimensions, concept images (examples from other cities), and cost estimates for a food‑truck court footprint and a canopy/awning pilot; staff will also coordinate with code enforcement on nuisance/vacancy enforcement and keep stakeholder groups informed.