About the Main Street Program

The San Marcos Main Street Program is the downtown department for the City of San Marcos. In 1986, San Marcos was designated as an official Main Street city by the Texas Historical Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. San Marcos is one of the oldest annually accredited Main Street programs in the state and has achieved national accreditation annually through the National Main Street Center since the recognition was established in 1999.

Vision

Our vision is to foster a downtown that is a unique and culturally vibrant destination, where local businesses thrive and people of all ages can connect, create and celebrate.

Mission

The mission of the San Marcos Main Street Program is to maintain the unique, historic nature of downtown recognizing its history and planning for its future. We strive to provide economic stability to the heart of our City through a comprehensive revitalization program of the National Main Street Center's Four Points of Main Street: Design, Economic Vitality, Organization and Promotion. The four points of the Main Street approach work together to build a sustainable and complete community revitalization effort.

Main Street District

Main Street boundaries were determined in 1986 at the program’s inception. All businesses and properties located within (or on the line of) the boundary are eligible for Main Street grants and promotional assistance.

View Map of Main Street District

Awards & Accolades

2022

Best Event, Over 50K Population – Music on The Square, Texas Downtown Association

Best Business, Over 50K Population – The Davenport, Texas Downtown Association

2019

Semifinalist – Great American Main Street Award, National Main Street Center

2018

Great Neighborhood in Texas – American Planning Association, Texas Chapter

2016

Most Romantic Downtown – National Main Street Center

TIRZ #5

WHAT IS A TIRZ?

“TIRZ” stands for “tax increment reinvestment zone.” It is a financing tool the State Legislature created to assist cities and counties in developing or redeveloping certain areas. You can think of it as a pot of money collected from property tax on the increased value within the TIRZ. That money can be used to improve the same district from which the money was collected.

HOW DO TIRZ-FUNDED PROJECTS BENEFIT MY NEIGHBORHOOD?

According to the Texas Comptroller, a TIRZ project jumpstarts development to get things moving a bit faster and, ultimately, generate new tax revenue. Overall, TIRZ projects help with:

building needed public infrastructure in areas lacking adequate development to attract businesses.
encouraging development, thereby increasing property values and long-term property tax collections.
reducing the cost of private development by providing reimbursement for eligible public improvements.

WHAT QUALIFIES FOR A TIRZ PROJECT?

The project must support those areas in downtown San Marcos as outlined in the City’s TIRZ#5 Project and Financing Plan.
Support multi-modal transportation and mobility including sidewalks, downtown shuttle services.
Enhancement of downtown area including lighting, safety, and other aesthetic features.
Acquisition of property for parking and other public priorities and related operations and maintenance costs.
The project must not have been started more than three months prior to applying.

WHERE IS ZONE 5?

Zone no. 5 consists of approximately 244 acres in the downtown area. It extends from Texas State University to the North, to IH-35 to the South, CM Allen and McKie on the East, and several blocks to the West.

Clean Team

Main Street employs three full-time staff who clean and maintain downtown, with staggered shifts to provide cleaning services 7 days per week. The Downtown Clean Team picks up litter, maintains downtown landscaping beds, installs and maintains downtown amenities such as bike racks and benches, and makes assorted repairs as needed.

Additionally, graffiti techs are available through Community Enhancement to assist with graffiti removal.

If your downtown business would like to request graffiti removal or other maintenance requests for repairs within the public right of way, please contact:

Jeremy Gonzales
Downtown Grounds Crew Leader

Email
JGonzales@sanmarcostx.gov

Phone
512-393-1100

Main Street Advisory Board

MAIN STREET ADVISORY BOARD

The Main Street Advisory Board is a nine (9) member board appointed by City Council. The Main Street Advisory Board meets the 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm and works with staff to set priorities for the program.

Anita Collins Board Chair

Shandee Lynn Board Member

Merritt Drewery Board Member

Duane Bradley Vice Chair

Robert Tobias Board Member

Suhel Esani Board Member

Atom Von Arndt Board Member

Board Meeting Schedule

Agendas and Minutes

Become a Main Street Advisory Board Member

San Marcos City government offers a number of ways for its citizens to become actively involved in government business. In addition to the opportunity citizens have to express their thoughts at City Council meetings and public hearings, San Marcos citizens also may apply to serve on one of many boards and commissions.

Membership on these panels is open to all San Marcos citizens. Unless otherwise noted, the only requirement for service is that the applicant be a city resident. Members of these citizen panels serve without monetary compensation. The City Council appoints the members.

View City of San Marcos Boards & Commissions Vacancies

Meet Our Team