Downtown San Angelo Named "Outstanding Main Street City" for 11th Year in a Row

For the eleventh year in a row, Downtown San Angelo, Inc. has been recognized as an “Outstanding Main Street City” by the National Main Street Center and The Texas Historical Commission, Main Street Program.

Downtown San Angelo, Inc. was founded in July, 2005 by a group of downtown property owners and merchants. These property owners were a driven by a passion to create a vibrant and vital economic environment in the central business district of our community.

The 10 Criteria Report, or “report card,” examines the Main Street “4 Point Approach” outlined in our Mission Statement. We report on a quarterly basis the activities implemented by Downtown San Angelo, Inc.

The 10 Criteria consist of the “Main Street Work Plan” or “Action Plan” reflects:

• Broad based support for the commercial district revitalization process from public and private sectors
• Achievement of relevant, measurable outcomes to include policy leaders, elected officials and bested stakeholders
• Comprehensive Main Street work plan: Development of a strategy based model that identifies  3 – 5 primary focus areas to receive primary attention during the course of a year allowing the program to address specific challenges and opportunities and reach new levels
• Historic preservation is central to the Main Street program’s purpose and should include preserving buildings and their historic integrity, use of preservation tools and government policies supporting preservation, and preservation education that engages the community
• An active board of directors and project leaders are key to the effort.  Additionally, a high level of volunteer leadership and commitment are essential
• A successful Main Street program must have the financial resources and an adequate budget necessary to carry out its work. 
• A trained, professional staff working full time is required
• Required continuing Main Street training and development insures a strong network
• Key statistics are required and submitted monthly, quarterly and annually
• Maintaining a current National Main Street membership

The only time Downtown San Angelo, Inc. did not achieve the National Accreditation criteria was in 2006 (Downtown San Angelo, Inc. was founded in 2005).  Over the last 11 years, Downtown San Angelo, Inc. has demonstrated, and in some cases, exceeded the standards held by the National Main Street Center.