Main Street Program

The Bay City Main Street Program is a redevelopment program designed to capitalize on the unique character of the downtown, with emphasis on historical preservation, while at the same time promoting an aggressive downtown marketing strategy, providing assistance in the rehabilitation of buildings, and working to beautify downtown Bay City. The Main Street Program was established to help coordinate activities and work with the city, the downtown merchants, the Chamber of Commerce, lending institutions, building owners, and the media. The program uses a comprehensive approach and focuses on four overall goals:

Organization:

To organize the downtown into a strong, cohesive unit that works together toward the betterment of downtown. The whole community needs to be involved both is setting goals and accomplishing tasks. The program board and director work with the community to establish priorities for the program. A cooperative spirit and a good working relationship among interested parties will help to make the Main Street Program successful.

Design:

To assess physical conditions and encourage appropriate, high quality design in the maintenance and renovation of historic buildings. A well-designed building rehabilitation project portrays a positive image of the area.

Promotion:

To enhance the image of the central business district by giving people new reasons to visit downtown Bay City and to positively portray the downtown area.

Economic Restructuring:

To assist in identifying marketing needs and develop programs to meet those needs, adapt building to new uses, develop upper story spaces, and assist businesses with rehabilitation incentives.

The Main Street Programs administrative budget is from Hotel/Motel tax revenues. This is a small tax that is assessed to people who spend the night at any of the hotels within Bay City limits. Main Street has been allocated 13% of these tax revenues for historic preservation and tourism promotion.

Funds for the Main Street Programs projects are raised through special events and grants. All funds are put back into the community through projects that are designed to enhance Bay City's historic downtown area.

All funds are put back into the community through projects that are designed to enhance Bay City's historic downtown area.

1999/2000 Main Street Advisory Board of Directors

Chairman	Allen Green
Vice-Chairman	Annette Smith
Secretary	Tara Rodriguez
Board Members	Mona Craft
	Mary Dykes
	David Holubec
	Bobbie Laughlin
	Ro Marceaux
	Bob Middleton
	Ann Ryan
	R. Cunningham
Ex-Officio	Charles Martinez, Jr., Mayor
	C. Glen Walker
	Richard Knapik, C of C
Main Street Director	Bill Blair

For information or support, call or write Bill Blair at 1901 Fifth St.; Bay City, TX 77414. Phone 979-323-1636, Fax 979-323-1681.

Matagorda Area Network Contact Information
Voice: 979-245-1017
E-mail: mannet@man-net.org

Last Updated: May 19, 2001