Published: February 28, 2008 10:14 pm         

Financial programs available for downtown buildings

By Leslie Gibson

Herald-Banner Staff



Property and business owners will see a preview in March of what might be possible in downtown building renovation, when, to kick-off Royse City’s designation as 2008 Main Street City, the First Lady of Texas unveils an architect’s rendering of a proposed renovation to the front of Leeza’s Pizza.

Anita Perry will present the rendering in a public celebration March 11 to officially kick off Royse City’s Main Street Program; however, the city’s Main Street Board has met twice and will meet throughout the year to support downtown businesses through renovation and revitalization.

Economic development is one of the main goals and a proven result of the three-year city participation in the program, according to Royse City’s Main Street Manager, Kari Hollifield.

The program supplies grants and low interest loans, and free expertise in architectural, space planning, and financial issues to the downtown property owners.

Mike Belt owns the building in which he has his business, Video Hits. He is a member of the Main Street Board, appointed by the city council.

“This board is not looking to get into people’s pocketbook,” he said, and noted that, as a business owner, “When you hear about stuff like this, you think, ‘What is it going to cost me? Are you going to tell me to spend $100,000 to put an old-west front on the building?’”

But the advice and expertise is free, he has learned, and he signed up to learn how to improve the “plain brick front” of his store, left bare when he removed an awning which was unsafe. “The offer is out there — it’s crazy not to take advantage of it. If they come back and it’s going to cost $300,000, you are not obligated. But you have to start somewhere.” He added, “When I get past that, you never know what the next step will be,” he said. He has had the business more than 17 years, and his main office and store is in Wylie.

Other board members with downtown businesses are Sheila Whitney with Sheila Whitney Photography, and Kari Hargrave, with State Farm Insurance. Tom Penny owns Penny Landscape an is on the board.

Not on the committee, but interested in the program and having attended a recent Main Street meeting, are David and Jo Ann Kendzierski who own an office building at 118 Main Street, across from La Marcarena, which they bought three years ago. “We wanted to invest in and live in a small town. And we want to accommodate the people that are going to move to Royse City or come shopping here,” he said. Their building dates to before 1910, David Kendzierski said. “I think it’s pretty exciting for Royse City,” Jo Ann Kendzierski said. In their travels, they have seen some nice downtowns and “we’d just like to see that in Royse City too,” David Kendzierski said. They are interested in what could be done for the building front. The building has eight offices, and a reception area and break room. The original ceiling is still there, Jo Ann said, but is hidden under a drop ceiling.

Also on the advisory board are City Council Member Mary Johnson, Chamber Director Julia Bryant, Planning and Zoning’s Kevin Jackson, Heritage Board’s Cathy Partridge, Secretary to RCISD Superintendent Fraya Fisk, Economic Development Director Larry Lott, County Commissioner David Magness, Mayor Jim Mellody and City Manager Karen Philippi.

Benefits of the program, according to the state agency, include ongoing comprehensive training for Main Street managers and board members, training for communities in successful economic development approaches, a three-day, on-site evaluation and full report with recommendations, design assistance, consultation with downtown merchants about visual merchandising and window display, advice on heritage tourism programs and marketing, and the First Lady Tour.

The Texas Main Street Program is part of the Texas Historical Commission's Community Heritage Development Division. It began in 1981 and is affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Texas Main Street Program is considered among the most successful downtown revitalization programs in the nation, assisting more than 140 Texas cities. Private reinvestment to downtowns and commercial districts through the program is more than $1.3 billion according to the state group.