San Marcos Downtown Area Plan

CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS

Vacant storefronts can have a negative impact on the public’s perception of a town’s vitality. It is important to program and revitalize these spaces, even in temporary turnover periods, through creative municipal and non-profit strategies. San Marcos would benefit from considering the following activation strategies for existing vacant storefronts, to ensure the economic viability and community investment in the Downtown. · Provide temporary-use retail permits through a Pop-Up Retail Ordinance. · Generate public interest in vacant storefronts by allowing local artists to showcase work. · Create a pilot program for grant funding. Businesses can apply for grants through the City to fund the construction and lease of pop-up shops. · Encourage/ work with Texas State University to encourage student start-up businesses downtown. · Partner with non-profit resources to provide services such as relieving tenants from the first three months of their rent in an effort to boost them into a successful long-term lease. BUILDING FORM & INFILL DEVELOPMENT VACANT STOREFRONT/BUILDING ACTIVATION PROGRAM (Recommendation B.2)

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SAN MARCOS DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN