PRESENTER: Presenter
Jeff Jewell, Economic and Community Development Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Discussion of the New Braunfels Main Street Program
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DEPARTMENT: Economic and Community Development
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1, 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of New Braunfels has been a member of the Texas Main Street Program (TMSP), a subsidiary of the Main Street America (MSA) program, since 1999. MSA is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. MSA’s Four Points are referenced in the Downtown Board bylaws and are also fundamental to the work of the Economic and Community Development Department (ECD). The Four Points are organized into Transformation Strategies that are defined and set by each community: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
As a member of TMSP, the city is required to also be a member of MSA. MSA’s required 2022 annual report and TMSP’s quarter three and four reports were not submitted due to ECD staff transition. This lack of reporting resulted in Affiliate membership status with MSA and is under scrutiny with TMSP.
Under further review, TMSP has deemed the New Braunfels Main Street Program to be out of compliance for a variety of reasons, many of which the city disputes. The ECD staff has met with TMSP and received options for moving forward:
1. Comply immediately
2. Go on probation
3. Take a leave of absence
4. Leave the program entirely
While we disagree with TMSP assertions that New Braunfels is not meeting the membership requirements, given that prior performance and guidance had paved the way for the current model of the Downtown Board and department functions, there are improvements that can be made. The following are specific items addressed by TMSP in order to become aligned with Main Street America and be considered accredited once again.
Utilize/Align with Main Street Identity:
o Add MSA branding, language, and links to the city’s website, as well as branding and links to www.DowntownNewBraunfels.com
o Request similar language at www.DowntownNewBraunfels.com
o Add existing and recent downtown projects to city website
o Request support from the Communications Department for focused social media
Document New Braunfels’ Workplan and Transformation Strategies:
o These can be pulled together from a variety of existing sources and presented to the Downtown Board for discussion (Downtown Implementation Plan, Envision NB, Community Surveys, Parking Studies and Surveys, Event Surveys, Tarleton Report, etc.)
Negotiate or Update Staffing:
o The ECD Coordinator’s work is primarily focused on downtown. Other staff committed to downtown include a Special Events Coordinator who produces downtown events, and a Historic Preservation Officer who supports the Downtown Historic District
o Consider renaming ECD Coordinator position and duties; provide job description
Consider Changes to the Downtown Board:
o Update presentation format to include the Four Points
o Discuss viability and strength in creating four new committees
o Evaluate name change to Main Street Board
o Consider focus on current Main Street map. If deemed appropriate, gain approval to expand the boundaries of the New Braunfels Main Street Program to mimic those considered “downtown” or those in the TIRZ3
Document Funding Sources and Provide Budget Clarity
o Format budget in a way that aligns with the Transformation Strategies (general fund budget is in place, but narrative can be crafted).
o Include TIRZ3 funding as an alternate, sustainable source
o Confirm with TMSP that the Special Events Coordinator and Historic Preservation Officer budgets can be represented here
Maintain and Update DowntownTX.org:
o The website, hosted by the Texas Historical Commission, lists historic properties for sale and lease in New Braunfels with contract information
Strengthen Reporting:
o Find data sources and include measurable outcomes on quarterly reports (employment figures, number of housing units, cost of renovations, social media, etc.) for the Main Street - not downtown in general
o Complete MSA’s 2023 annual report when due with similar information
Execute Complete TMSP Contract:
o Acquire the missing contract portion and sign; mail payment
ISSUE:
The City of New Braunfels received questions about compliance in March 2023 and the notice of non-compliance in August. After meeting with TMSP and requesting the deadline for response by September 15, the city has chosen to pursue a probationary period to complete the requested work.