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.
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OUR TEAM
Josie Falletta Downtown Manager
PhoneJeremy Gonzales Downtown Grounds Specialist
PhoneRebecca Ybarra Director of Destination Services
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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 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm and works with staff to set priorities for the program.
Shandee Lynn Chair
Anita Collins Hays County Official Representative
Lauren Ramirez Board Member
Ashley McCafferty Vice Chair
Keely Hennig Board Member
Robert Tobias Board Member
Mark Gleason City Council Member
Maraya Dunn Board Member
Duane Bradley Board Member
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Interested in becoming a part of the Main Street Team? Our Dream Team internship program is creativity in action. Much more than a typical intern, each applicant goes through an interview process and upon approval works on projects based on their "dream job." In an office where our cultural words are coffee, impactful, visionary, inclusive and contagious, dream team members are given an irreplaceable experience in their field. Submit your resume and cover letter to apply.
