Realizing a Fully

Revitalized Downtown

Mayor’s Quality of Life Forum

August 18, 2007

Jackson Street

Harlingen’s Main Street

Harlingen’s Main Street

Harlingen’s Main Street

Harlingen’s Main Street

Harlingen’s Main Street

Harlingen’s Main Street

Harlingen’s Main Street

Downtown Revitalization

Downtown Revitalization

Main Street Approach to Downtown Revitalization

Diversity is the Key

Public Improvement District

Private/Public Partnership

New Investor: Studio 315

New Investor: Studio 315

New Investor: 323 E. Jackson

New Investor: 302 W. Harrison

New Investor: 417 W. Van Buren

Mayor’s Charge: Long-Term Plan

• Share our Vision for a Downtown that is a

Safe, Attractive, Clean, Unique, Exciting Destination

• Using Best Practices for Downtown Revitalization

(Brookings Institution 2005)

• Involving Retail, Offices, Service Businesses, Housing,

Infrastructure, Cultural Facilities, Marketing,

Education, Community Involvement

Downtown Strategic Plan

6 Projects

Project I: Discovery Center

Activity for Local Families

1969 HUD Plan: Connect Assets

Tourist Facilities near Retail Core

Suggested Location

Serve as a Tourist Attraction

Connect via Art/Mural Trail

Discovery Center Project Costs

Business Plan $ 10,000¹

Property Acquisition $ 0

Property Redevelopment $250,000

Exhibit Development $500,000

Operations (annual) $150,000

Mural/Art Trail $100,000

¹Short-Term Costs

Project II: Heritage Manor

Higher Education Facility

TIP Strategies Plan

Appeal to Creative Class

Strengthen/Upgrade Retail Core

Development of Sidewalk Cafes

Unique Galleries & Design Services

Concentration of Spas & Salons

Increase Demand for Housing

Long Term: Parking Garage

Heritage Manor Project Costs

Property Acquisition¹ $ 390,000²

Redevelopment $ 6-8 million

¹Possible City Assistance

²Short-Term Costs

Project III: Artists’ Alley

New Image for La Placita

Enhance Pedestrian Access

Heart of Harlingen Project

New Centennial Park

West Van Buren Business Incubator

Develop Artist Colony

Another Downtown Destination

Installation of Public Art

Redevelopment of Grande Theatre

Long Term: Rails to Trails Plan

Artists’ Alley Project Costs

Feasibility Study $ 10,000¹

Property Acquisition $ ?

Alley Redesign $ 500,000

Public Art $ 150,000

¹Short-Term Costs

Project IV: Visitors Center

Serve as Destination for Visitors

Address Need for Restrooms

Anchor for Tours & Attractions

Orient Visitors

Possible Locations

Visitors Center Project Costs*

Property Acquisition¹ $ 450,000

Redevelopment $ 250,000

Directional Signs $ 300,000

Operations (annual) $ 200,000

¹Assuming Freight Station

*No Short-Term Costs

Project V: Blight Surrounding District

North: Dilapidated Buildings

North: Mixed Use Development

East: Substandard Housing

East: Encourage Home Ownership

Eliminate Blight Project Costs

Property Acquisition¹$500,000²

Increased Code Enforcement $ ?

Increased Security $ ?

Infrastructure in Support of New Development $ ? ¹Via Catalytic Development Company

²Short-Term Costs

Project VI: Improve Streetscape

Design Assistance

Design Assistance

Financial Incentives

Financial Incentives

Property Enhancements

Property Enhancements

Enhancements: Murals

Enhancements: Amenities

Enhancements: Amenities

Enhancements: Gateways

Enhancements: Landscaping

Improve Streetscape

Ongoing Problems: Weeds

Litter & Illegal Dumping

Graffiti & Vandalism

Street People

Improve Streetscape

Short Term* Issues: Deteriorated Street Signs

Landscaping

Rest Rooms

*Drainage & Sidewalk Projects Underway

Improve Streetscape

Medium Term Goals:

Upgrade Landscaping Public Art & Sculpture

Parking & Traffic Flow

Improve Streetscape

Long Term Possibilities: Utility Wires Underground

Drainage Next Phase

Redesign Streetscape

Streetscape Project Costs

Security* $ 95,000

Landscaping Maintenance* $ 80,000

Landscaping Upgrades $ 150,000

New Street Signs $ 25,000

Rest Rooms $ 200,000

*annual costs

Priority of Projects

1. Address problems impacting Streetscape via enhanced security, increased maintenance, infrastructure improvements.

2. Create Catalytic Development Company to help eliminate blight and spur revitalization.

3. Facilitate transition of Heritage Manor to educational use.

4. Develop business plan for a Discovery Center.

5. Assess feasibility of creating Artists’ Alley between “B” and “D” Streets.

6. Assess feasibility of operating a dedicated Visitors Center.

Summary of Short-Term Project Costs

Improve Streetscape $ 550,000

Eliminate Blight* $ 500,000

Heritage Manor Transition $ 390,000

Discovery Center Business Plan* $ 10,000

Artists’ Alley Study $ 10,000

Visitors Center $ 0

Total $ 1,460,000

*Locations outside of Downtown District

Downtown as a Focal Point

Downtown as a Focal Point

Downtown as a Focal Point

Downtown as a Focal Point

Downtown as a Focal Point

For Generations to Come

Get Involved!

It’s people like YOU

who will make possible

a fully revitalized Downtown!