A thriving downtown According to the National Mainstreet Center, a nonpro t initiative to revitalize older and historic commercial districts to support and build vibrant communities, downtowns can be an asset for both tourism and economic development. Bene ts include:
its conception in 2017, but several businesses recently began construction in the district. Two restaurants—a sec- ond location of Austin-based Top Notch Hamburgers and a Mexican restaurant called Cocina Jalisco Sports Bar & Grill—are both expected to open alongside Southside Market & BBQ in The Co-Op District by the end of the year. When fully built out, the development is expected to house a mix of retail, enter- tainment, restaurants and high-density residential. However, to prevent The Co-Op District from drawing business away from the exist- ing downtown area, the city has plans to extend Pecan Street and addwide sidewalks to connect with Co-Op Bou- levard, which runs directly through the development. “The symbolism is, you know, as this new develop- ment is coming up and grow- ing, we’re connecting and linking and having pedestri- an-friendly thoroughfares between the new and the
downtown business owners, most recently on March 24. Hutto will use the infor- mation gathered from recent surveys and discussions in updating its comprehensive plan, which will guide future projects downtown and throughout the city. As the city juggles the needs of business owners, residents and developers in future downtown develop- ment, Hutto City Council Member Robin Sutton said the city must also preserve the character and history of Hutto’s downtown. “[Downtown] has already overcome a lot of adversi- ties. People have been com- mitted to keeping it alive and thriving,” Sutton said. “I think this is an area for us to rebuild again and show our ancestors that we are com- mitted to continuing their legacy.”
old,” Robich said. While there is not yet a cost estimate for the project— o cials are still nalizing planning e orts—The Co-Op District and the Pecan exten-
However, the city is not focused solely on The Co-Op District. A few minor improvements to the core of downtown, including adding tree lights and banners, are
sion may also help to allevi- ate a challenge facing historic d ow n t o w n : parking. Texan Cafe & Pie Shop owner Jenny Smith said a lack of park- ing downtown
awaiting approval from City Council. The city also recently approved permits for two recurring events that will take place downtown begin- ning in April: a farmers market every Wednesday and a market with
“Downtowns are a re ection of the community, and I certainly believe that we have a beautiful one.” KRISTI ROBICH, HUTTO COMMUNITY OUTREACH & PROGRAMS MANAGER
A sense of place: A strong sense of place promotes local pride, an aspect of downtowns that consistently drives tourism with local avor. Walkability: A commercial district with amenities including restaurants, retail and entertainment is high on the list of tourist attractions. Attracting talent: In a report documenting the value of downtown districts, the NMC states that downtowns are the “easiest place to attract and retain talent workers.”
has been an issue for busi- nesses like hers for some time, and it is especially glaring when nearby busi- nesses such as event venue One Eleven East hold large events. “If there’s a Saturday night and there’s a wedding, those people take up every parking space there is,” Smith said. Robich said the Pecan extensionwill allowpatronsof businesses in historic down- town to utilize The Co-Op Dis- trict’s ample parking.
booths from local artisans and community groups on the third Saturday of each month. Gathering input As part of its compre- hensive plan rewrite, city sta recently conducted a monthslong survey collect- ing input from community members on the kinds of projects and additions they would like to see downtown. The city has also held sev- eral roundtable discussions with community leaders and
Learn more about Round Rock on Page 26; see more about P ugerville on Page 28.
SOURCE: THE NATIONAL MAINSTREET CENTER COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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