Realizing a Fully Revitalized Downtown Mayor’s Quality of Life Forum August 18, 2007

Jackson Street

Harlingen’s Main Street

Downtown Revitalization

Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization

Diversity is the Key

Public Improvement District

Private/Public Partnership

New Investor: Studio 315

New Investor: 323 E. Jackson

New Investor: 302 W. Harrison

New Investor: 417 W. Van Buren

Mayor’s Charge: Long-Term Plan Share our Vision for a Downtown that is a Safe, Attractive, Clean, Unique, Exciting Destination Using Best Practices for Downtown Revitalization (Brookings Institution 2005) Involving Retail, Offices, Service Businesses, Housing, Infrastructure, Cultural Facilities, Marketing, Education, Community Involvement

Downtown Strategic Plan 6 Projects

Project I: Discovery Center

Activity for Local Families

1969 HUD Plan: Connect Assets

Tourist Facilities near Retail Core

Suggested Location

Serve as a Tourist Attraction

Connect via Art/Mural Trail

Discovery Center Project Costs Business Plan $ 10,000¹ Property Acquisition $ 0 Property Redevelopment $250,000 Exhibit Development $500,000 Operations (annual) $150,000 Mural/Art Trail $100,000 ¹Short-Term Costs

Project II: Heritage Manor

Higher Education Facility

TIP Strategies Plan

Appeal to Creative Class

Strengthen/Upgrade Retail Core

Development of Sidewalk Cafes

Unique Galleries & Design Services

Concentration of Spas & Salons

Increase Demand for Housing

Long Term: Parking Garage

Heritage Manor Project Costs Property Acquisition¹ $ 390,000² Redevelopment $ 6-8 million ¹Possible City Assistance ²Short-Term Costs

Project III: Artists’ Alley

New Image for La Placita

Enhance Pedestrian Access

Heart of Harlingen Project

New Centennial Park

West Van Buren Business Incubator

Develop Artist Colony

Another Downtown Destination

Installation of Public Art

Redevelopment of Grande Theatre

Long Term: Rails to Trails Plan

Artists’ Alley Project Costs Feasibility Study$ 10,000¹ Property Acquisition$ ? Alley Redesign $ 500,000 Public Art $ 150,000 ¹Short-Term Costs

Project IV: Visitors Center

Serve as Destination for Visitors

Address Need for Restrooms

Anchor for Tours & Attractions

Orient Visitors

Possible Locations

Visitors Center Project Costs* Property Acquisition¹ $ 450,000 Redevelopment $ 250,000 Directional Signs $ 300,000 Operations (annual)$ 200,000 ¹Assuming Freight Station *No Short-Term Costs

Project V: Blight Surrounding District

North: Dilapidated Buildings

North: Mixed Use Development

East: Substandard Housing

East: Encourage Home Ownership

Eliminate Blight Project Costs Property Acquisition¹$500,000² Increased Code Enforcement $ ? Increased Security $ ? Infrastructure in Support of New Development$ ? ¹Via Catalytic Development Company ²Short-Term Costs

Project VI: Improve Streetscape

Design Assistance

Financial Incentives

Property Enhancements

Enhancements: Murals

Enhancements: Amenities

Enhancements: Gateways

Enhancements: Landscaping

Improve Streetscape Ongoing Problems:  Weeds  Litter & Illegal Dumping  Graffiti & Vandalism  Street People

Improve Streetscape Short Term* Issues:  Deteriorated Street Signs  Landscaping  Rest Rooms *Drainage & Sidewalk Projects Underway

Improve Streetscape Medium Term Goals:  Upgrade Landscaping  Public Art & Sculpture  Parking & Traffic Flow

Improve Streetscape Long Term Possibilities:  Utility Wires Underground  Drainage Next Phase  Redesign Streetscape

Streetscape Project Costs Security* $ 95,000 Landscaping Maintenance* $ 80,000 Landscaping Upgrades$ 150,000 New Street Signs$ 25,000 Rest Rooms$ 200,000 *annual costs

Priority of Projects 1.Address problems impacting Streetscape via enhanced security, increased maintenance, infrastructure improvements. 2.Create Catalytic Development Company to help eliminate blight and spur revitalization. 3.Facilitate transition of Heritage Manor to educational use. 4.Develop business plan for a Discovery Center. 5.Assess feasibility of creating Artists’ Alley between “B” and “D” Streets. 6.Assess feasibility of operating a dedicated Visitors Center.

Summary of Short-Term Project Costs Improve Streetscape $ 550,000 Eliminate Blight*$ 500,000 Heritage Manor Transition $ 390,000 Discovery Center Business Plan* $ 10,000 Artists’ Alley Study$ 10,000 Visitors Center$ 0 Total $ 1,460,000 *Locations outside of Downtown District

Downtown as a Focal Point

For Generations to Come

Get Involved! It’s people like YOU who will make possible a fully revitalized Downtown!