Downtown San Angelo, Inc. Receives Unanimous Backing by City Council

“Downtown San Angelo, Inc. is asking for your continued support of $75,000 a year for the next five years,” Brenda Gunter of Downtown San Angelo, Inc. (DSA) said in yesterday’s city council meeting.

“In 2015 we will celebrate a decade of downtown revitalization. The success of redevelopment is due to the efforts of many, including the City of San Angelo, particularly the Planning Department," Gunter said. "The past and current city council members, the many mayors, but most importantly to the entrepreneurial spirit of those people who saw the opportunity and had a vision for investment in downtown San Angelo.”

The city has been partially involved in funding downtown's efforts since 2005. In 2009, the city council increased the amount of monetary support the company receives from the city. In mid-2014, DSA presented a new proposal to the city council outlining the continued city support of $375,000 given in $75,000 increments over the next five years.

Downtown San Angelo, Inc. has built a successful partnership with the city and other organizations to redevelop and revitalize what used to be the city’s center for business and entertainment hub. The DSA has been instrumental in the progress that can be seen all over downtown San Angelo, particularly on Chadbourne Street Historic banners have been added to lamp posts that tell a bit of city history, and historic murals cover facades of buildings. After-five business has flourished. In the past going to downtown San Angelo did not offer much variety, as there were only three businesses that stayed open after 5 o’clock. “Today we are proud to say that 17 businesses are open after the hour of 5 o’clock,” said Gunter.

The DSA has also been recognized by Texas Main Street as a Nationally Accredited Main Street Program since 2007. The DSA has created many programs over the years that have ascetically enriched the downtown area like The Sheep Art Project and Alley Scapes. Activities that bring visitors to the downtown area sponsored by the DSA include ASU’s Homecoming Parade, the Downtown Christmas Light Contest, Downtown Movie Nights, and the Art-Ober-Fest.

“Yet with all of that progress we still have many vacant buildings. I think at last count there are 70 buildings, so we know that our work is not done, in fact you could say the work has just begun,” Gunter said.  Downtown San Angelo, Inc.’s plan is to continue to redevelop the downtown district and create a thriving business community.

Councilmembers spoke in ongoing support of DSA.  Charlotte Farmer admitted that in the past she has been cautionary in her approvals of proposals involving large sums of money necessary to accomplish the redevelopment that’s present in downtown today, but has grown to realize the positive impact the DSA has made. “I commend you and the staff for the great work that has been done to make downtown what it is today,” Farmer said.

“I’ve seen the old photos of downtown during the 40s and 50s, parked cars lined the streets, it was booming. That’s where we are today and I think you guys (DSA) having taken the lead in that is the reason, and I’m proud of that,” said Councilman Johnny Silvas.

The proposal was unanimously approved by the city council appropriately reflecting the council’s continued support of the Downtown San Angelo, Inc. cause.

According to the DSA website:

"Established in 2004, Downtown San Angelo, Inc. was formed by a group of 35 individuals who were dedicated to downtown revitalization. In November 2005, the organization was granted membership in the Main Street Program. This program is a major effort by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to provide assistance to cities whose older central business districts are seeking to retain some vestige of their visual character and whose economic position is slipping. The premise of this program is that economic revitalization can take place within the context of historic preservation.

"DSA enjoys broad-based public support for the revitalization process, with strong support from both public and private sectors. Wide-ranging community collective skills and resources are utilized to maximum advantage.

Since 2004, DSA reports it has facilitated $49,621,975 in private investment downtown, with 142 building rehabilitation projects, 42 new structures, and by finding buyers for 91 buildings in the downtown district.