To ensure continued downtown vitality, the city has hired a dedicated downtown coordinator—someone with an economic development background who can work hands-on with small businesses.“We can’t forget about our existing business owners,” Ariola emphasizes. “They’ve been here through thick and thin. As property values rise, we’re helping them with façade redevelopment downtown has become a vibrant community gathering space, complete with a splash pad, amphitheater, and covered farmers market. “It’s been a huge success,” Ariola says. “It’s given us a central hub for events that used to shut down Main Street, which was expensive and complicated because it’s a [Texas Department of Transportation] road. Now we have a space that’s beautiful, functional, and accessible.” 32 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12
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