San Marcos Downtown Area Plan

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

HIGHLIGHTS OF EXISTING CONDITION

The City’s Economic Development Division and its partners support businesses Downtown through a variety of local, state, and federal grant opportunities and programs. Local grant opportunities include the Business Improvement and Growth Grant, the Legacy Business Program, Small Business Growth Program, Sustainable Resource Grant, Chapter 380 Agreements, Downtown Co-Marketing, and Main Street Incentive Grant. Local programs offered include small business counseling, 1 Million Cups Greater SMTX, Downtown social media promotion and education, library workforce programs, business location services, and the City Liaison, the Main Street Manager, who serves to connect businesses and property owners to appropriate City of San Marcos departments and resources. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AND PROGRAMS

MAIN STREET DISTRICT

San Marcos was designated in 1986 as an official Main Street City by the Texas Historical Commission and the National Trust for Historic Preservation and remains one of the oldest Main Street programs in the state. Objectives of the program include design, economic vitality, organization, promotion, and works to beautify Downtown, plan events, organize volunteers, support small businesses, communicate Downtown news, and provide support to/ partner with the City’s Economic Development Division. The Downtown Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) is a Tax Increment Financing Fund (TIF) that was created in 2011. Projected revenue for fiscal year 2023 is $2.3 million. The TIRZ board (made up of two City Council members, two County Commissioners, and one representative from the downtown business community) is responsible for decisions regarding the distribution of the funds for projects and financing. The TIRZ has been approved through 5-year terms and is currently approved through December 2027. TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONE

Former Showplace Movie Theatre, 321 N LBJ Dr

City staff installing wayfinding signage downtown

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SAN MARCOS DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN