Staff report 

After missing out on acquiring Main Street status on two previous occasions, the third time was the charm for the city of Buda. 

Last week, the Texas Historical Commission tabbed Buda to be included in the Texas Main Street program. The city becomes one of 89 cities in Texas with the designation, according to a press release. 

The Texas Main Street Program is a revitalization program for historic downtown and neighborhood commercial districts.

“I believe Main Street is the heart and soul of any great community. We are committed to strengthening and growing our historic district,” Buda Mayor Todd Ruge said in a statement. “The Texas Main Street Program will provide the tools to make that happen. I couldn’t be more pleased to be accepted into this prestigious program and look forward to what the future holds for our downtown area.”

Ruge said the city had applied to be a part of the Main Street program in 2010, but there wasn’t “enough will on the council to move forward with the application. 

Buda tried again in 2014, narrowly missing the cut. 

Ruge said he received a call Oct. 21 regarding the announcement. 

“This is something that we’ve tried for over the last several years,” Ruge said. “We had a lot of support from local business owners, who asked us to support them on this. I’m so glad this has happened.” 

Over the years Buda has taken a number of steps to bring increased life and investment to downtown. Those include the pursuit of enhancement grants for sidewalks, lighting and other downtown beatification, organized improvements to underground infrastructure. 

The city also created the local historic district and Historic Preservation Commission and the Downtown Buda Merchants Association. 

“It wasn’t that long ago when we had a dead downtown,” Ruge said. “Then things started to happen. This (Main Street program) tool in our tool box is going to help us reach our goal.” 

As a Texas Main Street city, Buda will have access to grant opportunities and other resources only available to member cities.     

Buda Planning Director and Interim Assistant City Manager Chance Sparks said in a statement the program opens the door to resources at the THC. Those include technical expertise, organization assistance, and program capacity building, that will help the city and the downtown businesses and property owners, he said. 

“Buda couldn’t be more excited to join the Main Street Program, with its record of success in strengthening downtowns throughout the State spanning over three decades,” Sparks said. 

He added the Buda Downtown Merchants Group helped develop the basis of the application through “grassroots outreach.” 

For Karlyn Ellis of Prosper Properties, the designation is a big win. Ellis is part of the Downtown Buda Merchants Group, who support the Texas Main Street Program. Ellis said in a statement she was excited to see the positive changes to the downtown area as a result of the designation. 

“Having a full-time dedicated position to oversee/direct the vision of a beautiful and thriving Downtown Buda is just what Buda has needed. Being the little town just south of Austin, this will encourage locals to stay local,” Ellis said. “We are excited and so thankful for the selection and cannot wait to see how Downtown Buda begins to thrive.” 

 Buda will officially enter the Texas Main Street Program on January 1, 2017. 

With the Main Street Program’s help, the city will go through the process of hiring a Main Street Manager. The position was budgeted in the FY 2016-2017 budget pending approval of the program, and seating a Main Street Advisory Board.

“The City of Buda is delighted and full of pride to receive the title of a Texas Main Street City. This is a name that identifies a city’s pledge and enthusiasm to the world about their downtown area,” said City Manager Kenneth Williams. “Downtowns are the life blood of communities in Texas, where small businesses make every effort to succeed. This designation identifies the Citizens of Buda, the Mayor and City Council and City of Buda’s staff commitment to providing an excellent quality of life in the city.”

Why was Buda chosen?

-Historic commercial fabric and historic identity 

-Community and private sector support and organizations capacity

-Public sector support and financial capacity

-Physical capacity

-Demonstrated need