HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-013 Denton Womans Club Building LeaseDecember 05, 2025 Report No. 2026-013
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Denton Woman’s Club Building Lease
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City currently holds a 99-year lease agreement with the Denton City Federation of Women’s
Clubs for use of the land beneath the Denton Woman’s Club Building, located at 610 Oakland
Street within Quakertown Park. The lease was originally executed in 1927 for a total of $1.00 for
the full term and is set to expire in August 2026. The Women’s Federation has recently approached
the City to express interest in renewing the lease.
BACKGROUND:
The Denton Woman’s Club Building is owned and operated by the Denton City Federation of
Women’s Clubs. It is located within Quakertown Park, a site that was historically a Freedmen’s
Town before being converted into a city park in the 1920s. The City of Denton has designated
several local landmarks within the park, including the Denton Woman’s Club Building and the
O’Neil Ford Civic Complex. The Civic Complex encompasses the full boundary of the park and
includes Ford-designed civic structures and landscapes.
The Woman’s Club Building was constructed by the Federation, a nonprofit organization founded
in 1913, as a gathering space for civic, cultural, and educational activities. Over the years, it has
hosted numerous events and meetings that have contributed to the civic life of Denton.
In September 2022, the City Council held a work session following a two-minute pitch on how the
City could commemorate former residents of Quakertown. Several ideas were discussed,
including:
• Terry Avenue sidewalk installation
• Memorial markers
• Use of the Woman’s Club Building as a museum space
• A healing or sculpture garden
• A “living museum” concept
City Council directed staff to incorporate a memorial into the Downtown Master Plan, now
formally known as the Design Downtown Denton plan. The Design Downtown Denton plan,
adopted in September 2024, includes a key vision element focused on the redesign of Quakertown
Park. This vision acknowledges the park’s layered history as a Freedmen’s Town and its
transformation into a public space. While the plan seeks to honor this heritage and adapt the park
for contemporary community use, it does not include any proposed changes to the Woman’s Club
Building (see Exhibit 1, Section 2A).
December 05, 2025 Report No. 2026-013
DISCUSSION:
The Women’s Federation has formally approached the City to request a renewal of the lease. In
response, City staff are conducting due diligence, including evaluating fair market value, lease
terms, and working collaboratively with the Women’s Federation to explore a range of renewal
options.
At this time, City staff do not intend to bring forward alternative uses for the building. Instead,
City staff will present lease renewal options for City Council consideration, which may include:
• In-kind use of the facility
• Rental revenue sharing
• A reduced lease footprint
• Shorter lease terms
City staff will bring these options forward during a work session in February 2026. If City Council
is interested in City staff exploring other uses for the land or building outside of a renewed lease
with the Women’s Federation, please notify City staff by December 15, 2025.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Design Downtown Denton Plan
STAFF CONTACT:
Christine Taylor
Assistant City Manager
Christine.Taylor@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-7889
REQUESTOR: Staff Initiated
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 1 hour
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Parks
and Recreation, and Development Services
Final Report
Adopted on September 17, 2024
2 Design Downtown DentonDesign Downtown DentonAcknowledgements
City of Denton
Cameron Robertson, AICP
Project Manager
Sean Jacobson
Assistant Project Manager
Tina Firgens, AICP
Planning Director
Gary Packan
Parks and Recreation Director
Scott McDonald
Development Services Director
Keisha Cyriaano
Assistant Planning Director
Hayley Zagurski
Assistant Planning Director
Brittany Sotelo
Economic Development Director
Farhan Butt
Deputy Director of Transportation
Chandrakanth Muruganandham
City Traffic Engineer
Chris Escoto
Park Planning Manager
Colleen Fitzpatrick
Park Project Coordinator
Kristen Pulido
Main Street Program Manager
Design Downtown Denton represents the vision and efforts of hundreds of passionate residents,
business owners, developers, city staff, and city officials. In conversation with all of these groups, you
see love for Denton and a desire to see Downtown continue to grow as a welcoming environment full
of entertainment and prosperity for current and future Dentonites. The team learned much from our
dedicated stakeholders and wanted to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to
this plan!
City Council
Gerard Hudspeth
Mayor
Vicki Byrd
District 1
Brian Beck
District 2
Paul Meltzer
Mayor Pro Tem; District 3
Joe Holland
District 4
Brandon Chase McGee
At-Large Place 5
Jill Jester
At-Large Place 6
City Manager's Office
Sara Hensley
City Manager
Cassey Ogden
Assistant City Manager
Christine Taylor
Assistant City Manager
Frank Dixon
Assistant City Manager
Advisory Group
This group of residents and
stakeholders supported the
project by coming to regular
meetings and giving us great
feedback. Thank you!
Alexandria Valdez
John Williams
Brandy Pope
Brittany Foster
Desmond Moore
Hannah Raby
Melissa Lenaburg
Molly Carter
Pastor Don Lee
Peggy Riddle
Ken Willis
Meredith Butler
Maya Landgrebe
Rob Ramirez
Frances Punch
Jessica DeRoche
Seth Morgan
John Bramblitt
John Cartwright
Design Downtown Denton 3 Design Downtown DentonMend Collaborative
Planning, Design and Public
Engagement
Zakcq Lockrem, AICP
Project Manager
Michelle Bright, SITES AP
Principal-in-Charge
Todd Austin
Deputy Project Manager
Sandy Meulners-Comstock,
PLA
Lead Designer
Kennedy Rauh
Designer
Olivia Halsne
Designer
mend
Nelson-Nygaard
Jackson Archer
Mobility Lead
Sam Ergina
Mobility Support
The Catalyst Group
Market Research/TOD Strategy
Paris Rutherford
Market/TOD Strategy Lead
Post Oak Preservation
Historic Preservation
Ellis Mumford-Russell
Historic Resources Lead
Rachel Alison
Preservation Associate
William Fulton Group
Economic Development/
Implementation Strategy
William Fulton, FAICP
Founder/CEO
Jude Landry
Graphic Designer
We wanted to extend a huge
thank you to Jude Landry for
developing the brand, logo, and
hero graphic for this project!
4 Design Downtown DentonDesign Downtown DentonTable of Contents
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Executive Summary � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �i
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ii
Community Engagement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iv
Community Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vi
Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xi
Introduction � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 8
Engagement Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Community Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
1| Better Utilize Downtown Denton’s Street Space � � � � � � � � 22
1A Rightsizing and 4/3 Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
1B Pedestrian Priority Routes and Denton Chill Streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
1C Improve Bike Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
1D Improve Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
2| Build a Network of Improved Public Spaces � � � � � � � � � � � � � 38
2A Quakertown Park Master Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
2B Activate Vacant Lots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
2C Utilization of Alleys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
2D Utilization of Underutilized Streets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
2E Create a New Park in Southern Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
2F Improvements to the County’s Historic Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
2G Develop Public Art Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Design Downtown Denton 5 Design Downtown Denton3| Target Development to Build on Downtown’s Character
and Assets � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 74
3A Develop Southern Downtown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
3B Encourage Downtown Living . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
3C Strengthen Historic Preservation Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
3D Public Realm Design Guidelines and Zoning Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
3E Explore Opportunities for Transformative Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
4| Promote Nightlife, Music, Events, History, and Art� � � � � � 94
4A Utilize Policy and Regulations to Support Music and Nightlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
4B Develop a Performing Arts Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
4C Expand Programs to Support Small Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100
4D Expand on Downtown Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
4E Modify and Expand on Economic Development Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
4F Establish a Downtown Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
4G Establish a Public Improvement District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
Plan Implementation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 116
Implementation of Economic Development Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
i Design Downtown DentonDesign Downtown Dentoni Design Downtown Denton March 2024 DRAFT
Campus Theater
Executive Summary
Design Downtown Denton ii Executive SummaryOverview
Design Downtown Denton is a strategic blueprint for the next decade aimed at enhancing the
vitality and character of Downtown Denton. This plan addresses key areas such as parks, housing,
mobility, and historic preservation. Developed over a year with extensive community input, it
provides a comprehensive guide for decision-making and resource allocation, ensuring that
Denton's downtown remains vibrant, resilient, and responsive to the needs of its residents and
businesses.
Why Plan?
The primary purpose of updating the plan
for Downtown Denton is to ensure that it
remains relevant and effective in addressing
the evolving needs and challenges of the
community . This update, conducted every
ten to fifteen years, allows the city to adapt
to growth, incorporate new demographic,
economic, and environmental data, and engage
the community in shaping the future of their
city . Denton has experienced significant growth,
and the updated plan reflects current and
future demands . Regular updates provide an
opportunity to integrate new data and address
emerging challenges, ensuring that Downtown
Denton continues to thrive .
How will the plan be used?
The Design Downtown Denton plan is used
by city officials, developers, businesses,
and residents as a comprehensive guide for
decision-making and development . It provides
a policy and regulatory framework to support
desired growth and development, outlines
actionable strategies to achieve the goals of the
plan, and engages the community in ongoing
and future projects . The plan also helps
prioritize investments and allocate resources
effectively to maximize impact and benefits
for the community . By updating the plan every
ten years, Denton ensures that its downtown
remains vibrant, resilient, and responsive to the
needs of its residents and businesses .
Understand
June - Sept 2023
Goal: Understand key
issues, challenges, and
previous plans affecting
the study area.
Sept 2023- Feb 2024
Envision
Goal: Create a vision
and community
priorities based
on community
feedback that guide
approaches to
recommendations.
Act
Goal: Document
a clear path to
implementation.
Feb 2024 - May 2024
Adopt
Goal: Facilitate
adoption by relevant
regulatory bodies.
June 2024 - Sept 2024
Project Schedule
The plan was developed over a year in four phases: Understand, Envision, Act, and Adopt . Each
phase built upon the previous one, starting with understanding the current conditions and
community needs, envisioning strategies for improvement, acting on refining these strategies, and
finally, seeking official adoption by government bodies . This structured approach ensured that the
plan was comprehensive, data-driven, and reflective of community input .
iii Design Downtown DentonExecutive Summary
Design Downtown Denton iv Executive SummaryCommunity
Engagement
Our period of dialoguing with the public included fun and
engaging pop-up events that allowed us to hear from a wider
variety of people.
The primary goal of our community
engagement was to create a collaborative
environment where residents, business owners,
and city officials could share their vision for
Downtown Denton’s future . Our inclusive and
iterative process ensured every voice was
heard . We used a variety of online and in person
activities to:
• Understand the Community: Gather
insights through surveys, workshops, and
direct conversations to grasp the unique
needs and desires of Dentonites .
• Envision Together: Develop and refine
strategies that align with the community’s
aspirations for a vibrant, inclusive, and
prosperous downtown .
• Act Collaboratively: Prioritize and detail
actionable steps, working closely with
stakeholders to ensure the feasibility and
community support for each initiative .
• Adopt and Implement: Present the plan
to governing bodies, revising as needed to
reflect the community’s feedback, leading to
official adoption and execution .
v Design Downtown DentonExecutive SummaryCommunity
Priorities
Based on analysis of conversations with
community members a vision statement
and community priorities were developed .
Throughout the plan, these priorities are
represented by a pie . Each recommendation
fulfils at least one of these priorities:
• Arts, Entertainment, and Events: Enhance
public art, music initiatives, and festivals to
enrich the downtown area’s cultural scene .
• Bike and Pedestrian Mobility: Improve
walkability and bike safety through better
streetscapes and connected routes .
• Culture: Promote diversity and inclusion
by acknowledging history, celebrating
local culture, and connecting Downtown to
Denton’s colleges and universities .
• Housing Development: Address rising
rents and housing affordability by
increasing housing supply, mixed-use
developments, and various residential
options to foster a vibrant community .
• Parks and Public Spaces: Create a network
of green spaces with amenities like gardens
and play areas, and add more trees and
landscaping .
• Retail and Commercial Development:
Invest in local businesses, increase housing
options, and preserve historic landmarks to
boost economic growth .
• Safety: Improve the perception of safety
by addressing homelessness concerns,
designing streets to support outdoor events,
defining key pedestrian corridors, and
enhancing sidewalk maintenance
• Traffic and Transit: Improve roadway
safety, enhance parking availability and
management, and expand bus and bike
routes to reduce parking demand and
improve downtown accessibility .
AETT
BPSRCPS H CDesign Downtown Denton to be a more walkable,
beautiful, and fun destination for shopping, working,
learning, and recreation that also serves as a hub of
opportunity, welcoming all Dentonites. Cultivate a vibrant
and diverse residential community. Preserve and expand
the distinctive local businesses, foster a strong sense
of community, and safeguard the historic and artistic
character while promoting growth and development.
Design Downtown Denton vi Executive SummaryRecommendations
In response to the extensive community input
and collaboration among local stakeholders,
Design Downtown Denton proposes a
forward-thinking vision for revitalizing
Downtown Denton. The plan emphasizes
enhanced walkability, improved public
spaces, and sustainable development that
preserves the area's unique character. The
following recommendations were informed by
thorough stakeholder engagement, feasibility
assessments, and best practices research,
aimed at maximizing Downtown's potential
while addressing current challenges. The
recommendations are grouped into four
categories.
1. Better Utilize Downtown’s Streetscape
Improving the use of Downtown Denton’s
streets is essential for fostering a safer,
more inclusive, and lively city core . The plan
emphasizes the transformation of street
space to prioritize pedestrian experiences .
The introduction of ‘Denton Chill Streets’ is a
1A
1B
1C
1D
Rightsizing and 4/3
Conversions
Pedestrian Priority Routes
and Denton Chill Streets
Improve Bike Connections
Improve Transit
novel approach aimed at improving comfort
and environmental resilience by optimizing
shade and walkability . The plan advocates for
improving links to vital destinations, thereby
bolstering economic growth and encouraging
eco-friendly transport options . Collectively,
these initiatives are designed to cultivate a
welcoming atmosphere for all modes of travel,
thereby elevating the livability of Downtown
Denton .
A rendering of a Chill Street. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
vii Design Downtown DentonExecutive SummaryRightsizing Roadways
Chill Streets
Pedestrian Priority Routes
Oakland St IOOF Cemetery
DCTA line
DCTA Rail Trail
Sycamore St
Chestnut St
Prairie St
Highland St
Maple St
Eagle Dr
W Hickory St
Oak St E Oak St
Greg St McKinney St
Parkway St
Congress St
Egan St
Panhandle St
Broadway St
Linden Dr Locust StElm StUniversity Dr
Bolivar StCarroll BlvdN Bell AveD
a
l
l
a
s
D
r
Mill St
E Prairie St
E Hickory St
Mingo RdFrame StNorth Pecan Creek
Pecan 4Pecan Creek
Fred Moore
Park
Oakwood
Cemetery
Mulberry St
Bell AveUnderutilized Street
Quakertown Park Plan
Locust StElm StArrows Indicate Condition
Should Continue
Pedestrian Priority District
New Crosswalks
Denton Square District
Develop Southern Downtown
Extended Bicycle Routes
Activate Alley
Design Downtown Dentonviii Executive Summary2. Build a Network of Improved Public Spaces
The revitalization of Downtown Denton’s
public spaces is pivotal for enriching residents’
lives and stimulating economic prosperity .
The plan emphasizes transforming new
and existing parks and public spaces into
dynamic hubs that bolster social engagement,
wellness, and cultural activities . The strategy
includes leveraging these enhancements to
draw visitors, enhancing the local economy
and prioritizes environmental stewardship .
A key element of this vision is the redesign
of Quakertown Park, acknowledging its
layered history as a Freedmen’s Town and
its evolution into a city park . This plan seeks
to honor the park’s heritage while adapting
it for contemporary community use . These
enhancements are not just for recreation and
aesthetics but are integral to the collective
health and prosperity of Denton .
2A
2B
2C
2E
2G
2D
2F
Quakertown Park
Master Plan
Activate Vacant Lots
Utilization of Alleys
Create a New Park in Southern
Downtown
Develop Public Art Plan
Utilization of
Underutilized Streets
Improvements to the
County’s Historic Park
A rendering of the proposed new plaza adjacent to the Square. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
ix Design Downtown DentonExecutive Summary3. Target Development to Build on
Downtown’s Character and Assets
Emphasizing development is pivotal for
ensuring Downtown Denton grows with the City
while also preserving its distinctive character
and assets . The updated approach focuses on
fostering a vibrant community by introducing
a mix of housing options that cater to various
demographics, thereby promoting Downtown
living and economic prosperity . The plan
underscores the importance of preserving
Denton’s historic charm through strategic infill
and civic investments, while also expanding
open spaces for public enjoyment . Affordability
remains a key concern, with actions aimed at
ensuring housing accessibility for a diverse
population . The preservation of historic sites is
strengthened, and design guidelines are refined
to ensure new developments complement
Denton’s architectural heritage . These
measures are designed to bolster Downtown
Denton’s appeal as a place to live, work, and
visit, contributing to its sustainable growth and
preserving its historical and cultural legacy .
4’
8’
Pedestri
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Cir
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Furnit
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8’6’8’4’10.5’ mi
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Pedestrian Lighting
Wayfinding SignageQueuing
Permanent Railings
Awnin
g
Bike Racks
Historic Square District and Chill Street on the Square.
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
3A
3B
3C
3E
3D
Develop Southern
Downtown
Encourage Downtown
Living
Strengthen Historic
Preservation Opportunities
Explore Opportunities for
Transformative Projects
Public Realm Design
Guidelines and Zoning
Design Downtown Denton x Executive Summary4. Promote Downtown’s Nightlife, Music,
Events, History, and Art
Promoting Downtown Denton’s unique
nightlife, music, events, history, and art
assets is essential for the City's cultural and
economic vitality . The updated plan emphasizes
the importance of supportive policies and
regulations to foster a vibrant entertainment
environment that attracts talent, investment,
and visitors . The City’s music and nightlife are
key to its allure, drawing patrons and bolstering
local commerce . Establishing music venues,
bars, and events enrich the cultural fabric,
making Downtown an appealing hub for both
locals and tourists . By leveraging economic
development tools, the city can encourage
entrepreneurship and economic stability .
Additionally, celebrating Denton’s historical
and artistic heritage through various initiatives
can strengthen community bonds and pride .
These efforts will maintain Downtown Denton’s
reputation for cultural offerings and energetic
ambiance . Concentrating on these elements,
the City aims to craft an unparalleled and
unforgettable experience for all .
4A
4B
4C
4E
4G
4D
4F
Support Music and Nightlife
Develop a Performing
Arts Center
Expand Programs to Support Small
Businesses
Expand on Economic
Development Tools
Establish a Public
Improvement District
Expand on Downtown Events
Establish a Downtown Brand
A school dance group performs on the Courthouse Square as part
of Hispanic Heritage Month. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Many Denton businesses foster community with unique and fun
outdoor spaces. Offering support to these businesses can help
them continue to flourish. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
xi Design Downtown DentonExecutive SummaryOverview of Implementation Approach
The successful realization of the Downtown
Denton plan hinges on a well-coordinated
implementation strategy . This phase is critical
for translating the vision and recommendations
into tangible outcomes . Strategic execution
ensures that the initiatives are carried out
effectively, fostering a more vibrant and
sustainable downtown .
Key Implementation Steps
To ensure systematic progress, the
recommendations have been prioritized
based on their potential impact, feasibility,
and alignment with the community’s needs .
A phased rollout will be adopted, starting
with high-priority projects that can deliver
immediate benefits . This phased approach
allows for careful monitoring and adjustments
as needed, ensuring that each step builds on
the success of previous efforts .
Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities
Effective implementation requires collaboration
among various stakeholders:
• City Government - Will lead the effort by
providing regulatory support, funding, and
oversight .
• Private Sector and Developers- Will be key
partners in executing development projects,
contributing to public realm improvements,
and adhering to updated guidelines .
• Community Involvement- Continuous
community engagement is vital for
maintaining public support and ensuring
that the projects meet residents' needs and
expectations .
Implementation
New development in southern Downtown. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Design Downtown Denton xii Executive SummaryNext Steps
The immediate actions involve initiating high-
priority projects that can quickly demonstrate
the plan's benefits . This includes starting with
key infrastructure improvements, updating
zoning regulations, and launching incentive
programs for developers . Long-term goals will
be achieved through continued investment in
public spaces, fostering cultural activities, and
ensuring ongoing community engagement .
Milestones will be set to track progress and
make necessary adjustments along the way .
Conclusion
The Downtown Denton plan represents a
comprehensive vision for a thriving, inclusive,
and dynamic urban center . By focusing
on better utilizing street space, improving
public spaces, targeting development, and
promoting cultural activities, the plan aims to
enhance the quality of life for residents and
visitors alike . The commitment to this vision
reflects the community's aspirations and the
city’s dedication to sustainable growth and
development .
We invite all
stakeholders to join us
in this transformative
journey� Your
participation, whether
through feedback,
investment, or active
involvement, is crucial
to the success of
this plan� Together,
we can create a
downtown Denton
that not only meets
the needs of today but
also paves the way
for a brighter, more
sustainable future�
Let's work together to
turn this vision into
reality, ensuring that
downtown Denton
thrives for generations
to come�
8 Design Downtown DentonDesign Downtown DentonIntroduction
Denton Square District
Design Downtown Denton 9 Design Downtown DentonIntroduction
The Downtown Denton Master Plan requires an update to guide the next 10 years of Downtown’s
growth priorities, including parks and open space, parking, housing, mobility, connectivity, and
the preservation of existing neighborhoods and historic resources . The updated plan, Design
Downtown Denton, covers the area bounded by Bell Avenue to the east, Carroll Boulevard to the
west, University Drive to the north, and Eagle Drive to the south (a map of the study area is available
on page 12) . This plan outlines actions and recommendations that will build on Downtown’s assets,
highlight its history and character, and make it an even more enjoyable place to live . The plan was
developed in four phases . The first three phases, understand, envision, and act, were completed
over 9 months in 2023 and 2024 . The Design Downtown Denton Advisory Group, twenty residents
and stakeholders appointed by City Council, came together at each stage to provide valuable
feedback on the progress of the plan and the needs of the community . The plan was adopted by
City Council on September 17, 2024 .
Phase 1: Understand
To understand Downtown Denton's existing
culture, wants and needs, the City and
project team examined the data on Denton's
demographics, housing, transportation and
more for a high-level assessment of conditions
in Downtown . This analysis was merged with
on the ground observations from first-person
experience in Denton, walking the streets,
exploring Quakertown Park, and visiting bars,
restaurants and shops . Most importantly,
extensive time was spent gathering feedback
from business owners, city officials and
residents who shared their time and ideas
in contribution to this project . The data,
observations and engagement results built
a “Case for Action” that allowed project goals
and strategies to be fully developed in the next
phase .
Phase 2: Envision
In phase 2, draft strategies to address the wants
and needs in Downtown Denton were studied,
refined and developed in the Envision phase
of the project . Projects, programs, and policies
were considered as pathways to improve the
conditions that most concerned Dentonites
and would help support the growth of Denton
into the future . Based on community feedback
in the Understand Phase, a vision statement
(see page 3) and key priorities (see page 4)
were created . These priorities were a guiding
force behind the projects, program and actions
recommended to address them .
Phase 3: Act
Phase 3 continued the refinement of
strategies that began in the Envision Phase,
moving the community closer to consensus
on the strategies and how they might be
prioritized given available time and resources .
Recommendations were then developed to
a level of detail that the next steps could be
taken toward creation of the full plan and
implementation .
Phase 4: Adopt
After completing the Downtown Plan, it must
be approved by relevant government bodies .
Consultants and City Staff will present the draft
to boards, commissions, and other regulatory
bodies, making necessary revisions following
Planning and Zoning Commission and City
Council meetings to move the plan closer to
official adoption .
10 Design Downtown DentonDesign Downtown Denton
Design Downtown Denton 11 Design Downtown DentonUnderstand
June - Sept 2023
Goal: Understand key
issues, challenges, and
previous plans affecting
the study area.
Sept 2023- Feb 2024
Envision
Goal: Create a vision
and community
priorities based
on community
feedback that guide
approaches to
recommendations.
Act
Goal: Document
a clear path to
implementation.
Feb 2024 - May 2024
Adopt
Goal: Facilitate
adoption by relevant
regulatory bodies.
June 2024 - Sept 2024
Design Downtown Denton to be a more walkable, beautiful,
and fun destination for shopping, working, learning,
and recreation that also serves as a hub of opportunity,
welcoming all Dentonites. Cultivate a vibrant and diverse
residential community. Preserve and expand the distinctive
local businesses, foster a strong sense of community,
and safeguard the historic and artistic character while
promoting growth and development.
During the Envision Phase, the project team synthesized information to create community
priorities, breaking them into refined actions to guide final recommendations . Setting an overall
vision for Downtown Denton was crucial before moving forward . Based on hundreds of hours of
engagement, data collection, and conversation, the following vision statement was developed to
steer Design Downtown Denton and its proposed actions toward the desired future for Downtown
Denton:
Project Schedule
Project Vision
In a joint committee meeting in December 2023, Denton's City Council and Planning and Zoning
Commission approved the vision statement that was developed by the Advisory Group as the
guiding principles for Design Downtown Denton .
IOOF Cemetery
DCTA line
Texas Woman's
University
University of
North Texas
DCTA Rail Trail
Mulberry St
Sycamore St
Chestnut St
Prairie St
Highland St
Maple St
Eagle Dr
W Hickory St
Oak St E Oak St
Greg St
McKinney St
Parkway St
Congress St
Egan St
Panhandle St
Broadway St
Linden Dr
Crescent St
Cordell St
Emery St
Westway StHinkle DrFannin St Oakland StLocust StElm StUniversity DrBolivar StDenison StCarroll BlvdSherman StN Bell AveD
a
l
l
a
s
D
r
Fort Worth DrMill St
Morse St
E Prairie St
E Sycamore St
E Hickory St
E McKinney St
Paisley St
Mingo RdRuddell StDenton County
Courthouse Square Frame StPecan Creek
North Pecan Creek
Pecan 4Pecan CreekGreater Denton
Arts Council
Downtown Denton Transit Center
S Locust St35E
Fred Moore Park
Oakwood
Cemetery
Quakertown Park
North Central
Texas College
S Elm StCity Hall
Denton Square District
Study Area Map
Downtown Denton
Study Area
Outside Study AreaDesign Downtown DentonBell Ave
Design Downtown Denton 13 Design Downtown DentonDesign Downtown Denton Study Area:
• Extends from Eagle Drive at the south to University Drive
to the north, and from Carroll Boulevard on the west to Bell
Avenue and Mingo Road on the east.
• There are three institutions of higher education within or
adjacent to the study area - University of North Texas, North
Central Texas College, and Texas Woman's University.
• It includes the Denton Square District home to the Denton
County Courthouse and other historic buildings, City Hall
and other City facilities, Quakertown Park, and is adjacent to
the Greater Denton Arts Council and the Downtown Denton
Transit Center.
• At the time of this planning process the City was undergoing
the Southeast Denton Area Plan to assure that future
improvements reflect the residents and community members
wishes and recommendations between the two plans are
coordinated.
Design Downtown DentonEngagement Process
Mapping Activity on Parking Day
Design Downtown Denton 15 Design Downtown DentonEngagement
Dentonites had several opportunities to share their vision for the future of Downtown . Over the first
three project phases, ideas and recommendations were drafted based on what the community
shared with the project team and then the recommended proposals were brought back to the
community members to be changed and refined . It was critical to the success of this project that
community members were involved throughout the process and approved of the changes that
could impact them where they live, work and play .
16 Design Downtown DentonDesign Downtown DentonEngagement
Engagement Events
September
9/9 Arts and Autos
9/14 Advisory Group #1
9/15 Parking Day
9/15-17 Denton Blues Fest
9/28 National Night Out
October
10/6-8 Denton Arts and
Jazz Festival
10/7 Quakertown Park
Visioning Workshop
10/12 Twilight Tunes
10/19 Twilight Tunes
November
11/16 Advisory Group #2
December
12/5 Design Downtown
Denton Visioning
Workshop
12/6 Joint Committee
Workshop
12/19 - 1/15 Online Survey
April
4/16 Advisory Group #3
4/17 Quakertown Park
Design Workshop
May
5/9 The Feedback Finale
5/10-6/1 Online Feedback
Finale
#designdowntowndenton
www.discussdenton.com/downtown mend collaborative
Ornamental
Gardens
Formal
Tree Layouts
Natural
Landscapes
Forest-Like
Layouts
Paved Paths Natural
Material Paths
Grass Lawn
Concrete Water
Channel
Natural
Groundcovers
Natural
Creek Edge
Place a sticker along the scale to vote for your preference.
IMAGINE THE FUTURE OF QUAKERTOWN PARK
Community
Priorities
Downtown Parks
and Trails Network
Imagine the Future
of Quakertown Park
Parks, Open Space
& Public Amenities
Redesign Carroll
Boulevard
Local Business
Survey
Community Ideas
Map (At pop-ups
and online)
Loves and Needs
Visioning Activity
Engagement Activities
We brought the Denton community together throughout the planning
process for a series of fun and informative pop-up events with
interactive activities for all . In the vibrant and engaging atmosphere
at these events, all voices could be heard while celebrating the
unique spirit of Denton . By incorporating interactive stations, creative
workshops, and engaging displays, we not only gathered valuable
feedback but also fostered a sense of community involvement and
excitement about the future of downtown Denton .
Children's
Activities
Design Downtown Denton 17 Design Downtown DentonSeveral themes were established through an
analysis of the hundreds of comments received
during events, activities, surveys and online
interactions . Some residents told stories of
their experiences in the park system, others
expressed their ideas for how to address
parking issues in Downtown . Some of the most
common topics we heard were:
Bike and Pedestrian Mobility
Enhance walkability, expand protected bike
lanes, and close some streets to vehicles for
events and gatherings .
“Downtown is the best area of Denton because
it’s the only place where one can walk around,
have a picnic, shop, and drink without a car!”
Parks and Public Spaces
Expand network of parks and public spaces,
add trees and landscaping, program
underutilized areas .
“Invest in more trees. Trees are important
to cool the area, and also bring wildlife and
happiness to people.”
Retail and Development
Invest in local businesses, increase housing,
and protect historic landmarks .
“Work with economic development to help
bring businesses that would make West side
streets destinations, such as a coffee shop.”
Arts, Entertainment, and Events
Develop visual brand for Downtown area, bring
new activities to Downtown, encourage and
support artists, public arts, and art venues .
“The large murals on some of the downtown
buildings is wonderful. I would love to see more
of that. However, it needs to be quality art and
maintained.”
18 Design Downtown DentonDesign Downtown DentonCommunity Priorities
Community Priorities were developed based on conversations with community members and analysis
of the development opportunities and assets in Downtown Denton . The Advisory Group provided
direction and feedback on the draft priorities, leading to the final version presented at the Joint
Workshop on December 5th .
AE
BP
Arts, Entertainment
and Events
Bike and Pedestrian
Safety and Mobility
Culture
Housing Development
C
H
PS
RC
S
TT
AETT
BPSRCPS H CArts, Entertainment and Events
AE1 Create a marketing brand for the Downtown area, and use that brand to tie Downtown to the
surrounding community .
AE2 Encourage and promote public art and music initiatives and festivals .
AE3 Build on current successes by adding new activities and events, especially for children and families .
AE4 Support the addition of interactive art, music, sculptures, and lighting to create engaging spaces .
AE5 Explore the addition and improvement of a variety of music and art venues, stages, and theaters .
Bike and Pedestrian Safety and Mobility
BP1 Enhance walkability by improving our streetscapes, including sidewalks, lighting,
landscaping, and crosswalks .
BP2 Implement safety measures at dangerous intersections .
BP3 Connect key areas, including the universities, the Square and the transit center through
public realm improvements and infill development and through a common Downtown brand .
BP4 Promote a safer environment for cyclists by expanding protected bike lanes, bike parking, and trails .
BP5 Regularly close side streets for public events and community gatherings .
Culture
C1 Foster increased diversity and inclusion through the acknowledgment of history and increased
opportunities for all Dentonites .
C2 Protect/continue to embody what people love most about the feel of Denton: community pride,
welcoming atmosphere, and historic scale .
C3 Celebrate and connect Downtown to Denton’s colleges and universities .
C4 Highlight the Downtown culture within the broader Denton community and county .
Parks and Public Space
Retail and Commercial
Development
Safety
Traffic and Transit
Design Downtown Denton 19 Design Downtown DentonHousing Development
H1 Address rising rents and housing affordability through increased housing supply, mixed-use
developments, and more residential options to foster a vibrant local community .
H2 Provide more housing options Downtown, establishing a variety of housing stock that will
appeal to many different residents’ needs .
Parks and Public Space
PS1 Create a network of green spaces and public parks with amenities such as community gardens,
picnic areas and kids play areas .
PS2 Add more trees and landscaping in public spaces to provide shade, and improve aesthetics .
PS3 Build outdoor amenities like public seating, restrooms, water fountains, and more .
PS4 Find ways to activate underutilized areas, such as alleys, vacant properties, and sidewalks .
PS5 Preserve the view corridors and viewsheds of Downtown including the Courthouse-on-the-Square
and the Morrison Milling silos and sign .
Retail and Commercial Development
RC1 Invest in areas around the Square to improve business and housing variety, public safety,
and overall aesthetics .
RC2 Improve public space to encourage foot traffic and inspire building upkeep .
RC3 Emphasize the historical significance and preservation of historical assets within the
Downtown area, including expanding local, state, and national designations .
RC4 Promote and protect the local business community, including those businesses beyond the Square .
RC5 Fill empty storefronts and vacant lots with unique local shops and food and beverage options .
Safety
S1 Improve perception of safety by partnering with service providers to address homelessness
concerns and needs .
S2 Design streets with infrastructure to enable street closures and to support outdoor events .
S3 Define key pedestrian corridors and improve their streetscapes, shade canopy and lighting .
S4 Improve maintenance and cleanliness on sidewalks .
Traffic and Transit
TT1 Improve roadway safety for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists by implementing traffic
closures on certain streets and during events, as well as exploring road rightsizing and traffic
calming initiatives .
TT2 Improve parking availability and management by upgrading lots with trees and landscaping,
adding wayfinding signage to and from parking to destinations, using paid parking as a
management tool, and considering the construction of a public parking garage in the
Downtown area .
TT3 Enhance accessibility to Downtown and reduce parking demand by expanding and
improving bus and bike routes to the transit center and other key destinations .
Recommendations
Design Downtown Denton presents a vision for the future of Downtown Denton
where local government, businesses, developers and community have taken
collaborative action to change policy and develop public and private facilities that
will:
• Better utilize downtown’s streetscape making downtown more walkable
and accessible, with improved management of parking and mobility, and a
focus on prioritizing all forms of transportation,
• build a network of improved public spaces providing Dentonites with
beautiful places to relax, play, and reflect, all within a short distance form
their homes.
• target development to build on downtown’s character and assets by
preserving existing structures while building compatible housing, parks and
retail that invite new families to make Downtown Denton their home,
• and promote Downtown’s nightlife, music, events, history, and art through
branding and advertising that tells the story of Downtown Denton's history
and culture while promoting its future, programs that provide support for
artists and musicians, and projects that create new venues, events and
entertainment.
The recommendations that follow each category are based on careful review of
wants and needs expressed by local stakeholders, discussions on the feasibility
and management of potential actions with city staff and developers, as well as
research into the best practices for resolving challenges and taking advantage of
opportunities to build on Downtown’s current successes.
Better utilize Downtown's streetscape
Build a network of improved public spaces
Target development to build on Downtown's character and assets
Promote Downtown’s nightlife, music, events, history, and art
Better Utilize Downtown Denton’s Street Space
1
Oakland Street
Design Downtown Denton 23 Better Utilize Street SpaceBetter Utilize Downtown Denton’s Street Space1
Why is this important?
The largest single amount of land that is owned and maintained
by the City of Denton within Downtown is the right-of-way .
Using Downtown's streets as a catalyst for creating a safer, more
accessible, and vibrant urban environment is essential . Prioritizing
walking and biking by rightsizing streets and improving street
design will improve traffic flow and safety . Creating "Denton Chill
Streets", a new type of street that prioritizes shade, walkability,
and comfort in the public realm, will improve quality of life and
climate resilience . Improving transit routes will additionally create
connections between Denton's most important destinations .
Together, these measures will support economic development,
promote sustainable transportation, and enhance the overall quality
of life in Downtown .
Create a more secure and
inviting environment for
pedestrians, cyclists, and
drivers alike .
Image Source: Bike Denton
Expand pedestrian priority
routes and create comfortable
paths to make Downtown
Denton more enjoyable .
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Design streets to prioritize
shade, walkability, and comfort
for pedestrians and to improve
climate resilience Downtown .
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Enhance Safety Improve Walkability Reduce Urban Heat
What are we attempting to accomplish?
24 Design Downtown DentonBetter Utilize Street SpaceRightsizing and 4/3 Conversions1A
TT BPSDowntown Denton is made up of a variety of
street sizes and widths. While maintaining
the flow of traffic and avoiding congestion
are important city mobility goals, a healthy
downtown must have a strong balance between
maintaining sufficient capacity for car traffic
and supporting street elements that allow for
safe and comfortable walking and biking. This
balance in street configuration makes getting
to and moving around Downtown Denton safer
and more convenient for people and facilitates
community participation through a pedestrian-
friendly environment.
Case for Action
Narrowing streets can encourage people to
cross the wide streets around downtown that
currently create boundaries between Downtown
and its surrounding neighborhoods and the
wide streets within Downtown that make it hard
to move between destinations . Downtown will be
more uniformly enjoyed by those walking, biking
and looking to enjoy Downtown and patronize
businesses if those barriers are reduced .
Streets in Denton don’t all fit neatly into street
type categories . Streets that are oversized
have more lanes than are needed to carry
their typical daily traffic . Rightsized streets
have enough lanes to carry their typical traffic .
Carroll Boulevard, Elm Street, Locust Street,
Bell Avenue, and McKinney Street are some
4-3 Conversion
examples of oversized streets in Downtown
Denton . Traffic capacity for streets was derived
from the 2022 Mobility Plan . Wider streets
incentivize speeding . The design of streets
can impact drivers’ speed more than the
posted speed limit . Wider streets mean longer
crosswalks and more time that pedestrians must
spend crossing the street . A narrower street
improves safety conditions .
Proposed Actions
• Adjust the width of streets to make
Downtown Denton more walkable, safer,
and make it simpler to move between
neighborhoods using any mode of
transportation .
• Implement 4-3 conversions, a common
approach that creates room to add
pedestrian and bicycle capacity without
impacting vehicle throughput . Instead of
being confronted by the potential barrier of
a wide, intimidating four-lane road, a 4-3
conversion transforms a low-traffic street
with 4 car lanes into one with 2 car lanes and
a center turn lane .
• Prioritize the community and capacity needs
for all modes of transportation .
1A Priorities Served
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1
Safety
S2, S3
Traffic & Transit
TT1, TT2, TT3
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Design Downtown Denton 25 Better Utilize Street SpaceEast McKinney Street Proposed Typical Cross Section
Rebuild McKinney Street and Bell Avenue
4-3 conversions can help these streets create
connection where they currently divide the
community . McKinney Street currently is
a barrier between Quakertown Park and
Downtown, while Bell Avenue divides Downtown
from the Denton County Transit Center and
Southeast Denton .
• On McKinney Street east of Locust Street
and Bell Avenue, move curbs inward to
create a narrower street that features one
11-foot lane in each direction with a 10-foot
center turn lane .
• On McKinney Street west of Locust Street,
narrow the street to feature one 11-foot lane
in each direction .
• On McKinney Street and Bell Avenue, build a
pedestrian-dedicated sidewalk on one side
and a shared use path on the other . Both the
sidewalk and shared-use paths should have
buffer zones separating areas for walking
and biking from the road .
• McKinney Street does not have a standard
amount of right-of-way throughout
Downtown . As such, some blocks may
require a different design . Where right-
of-way is limited, pedestrians should be
prioritized over the inclusion of a turn lane .
Streets Downtown should include clear
sidewalks and a planted buffer from traffic
whenever possible .
• For all cross sections, turn lanes at
intersections may be modified as called
for by the situation . For example, no center
turn lane would be required if left turns are
not allowed . In this case, adding a right turn
lane at the intersection may be desirable .
McKinney Street
should become a 4-3
and 5-3 conversion
east of Locust Street.
A dedicated left turn lane
has been shown to create
more efficient traffic
flow and reduce overall
congestion, even when
paired with the removal of
dedicated through lanes.
All public realm recommendations
must be evaluated against past
approvals and funding received,
which may impact the final design .
26 Design Downtown DentonBetter Utilize Street SpaceRebuild Carroll Boulevard
Carroll Boulevard came up frequently in public
engagement as a major barrier between
Downtown Denton and UNT, and neighborhoods
to the west - including the Oak-Hickory and
West Oak Area historic districts . Carroll does
not carry a volume of traffic that requires its
wide cross section . Furthermore, there are
numerous large, commercial parcels that could
be redeveloped . A redesign of the street and
reduction of lanes creates space for extended
sidewalks, bike facilities, and space for trees and
other planting, including an improved boulevard
space .
Bell Avenue Proposed Typical Cross Section
Carroll Boulevard Proposed Typical Cross Section
• Convert inner vehicle lanes to 10 .5 feet
and outer lanes to 12 feet to support bus
throughput .
• Enhance medians with tree planting and left
turn cutouts .
• Implement warning signage that warn
vehicles to yield to pedestrians and cyclists
at all intersections within Downtown and
along pedestrian and bicycle priority routes .
• Widen sidewalks, construct behind-the-curb
protected bikeways, and create buffer zones
between sidewalk and bikeway on both sides
of the street to support street trees and
other sidewalk amenities such as benches,
planters, light posts, and bike racks .
Bell Avenue
should become a
4-3 conversion.
Design Downtown Denton 27 Better Utilize Street SpaceBefore. Image Source: Congress for New Urbanism
After. Image Source: Congress for New Urbanism
Case Study: Lancaster Boulevard
Redesign in Lancaster, California
The transformation of Lancaster Boulevard
in Lancaster, California, from a mundane
thoroughfare to a vibrant pedestrian hub has
sparked significant economic growth and
community revitalization . With an investment of
$11 .5 million, the city embarked on a streetscape
renovation project that yielded impressive
results . Within four years, private investment
soared to $130 million, and the area generated
$273 million in economic output .
The makeover saw a reduction in automobile
space in favor of pedestrian-friendly features
such as off-street parking and a wide, tree-lined
central promenade . Despite initial skepticism,
the project garnered widespread success, with
tax revenues nearly doubling between 2007 and
2012 .
The revitalized downtown area now boasts 48
new businesses, contributing to the creation
of 802 permanent jobs and 1,100 construction
positions . Moreover, traffic accidents decreased
by nearly one-third, with injuries dropping by 67
percent by 2013 .
Key to the project's success was its design that
accommodates large crowds for events like
street festivals . The boulevard's success has
been recognized with awards, including the
US Environmental Protection Agency's Smart
Growth Achievement Award .
The project's funding came from the local
redevelopment agency, signaling a commitment
to eliminating blight and fostering job creation .
Lancaster's success serves as a blueprint for
other communities seeking transformation
through smart urban planning and collaboration
between the public and private sectors .
Source: Congress for New Urbanism
Image Source: Tamara Leigh Photography
28 Design Downtown DentonBetter Utilize Street SpacePedestrian Priority Routes and Denton Chill Streets1B
TT
BPSRCPS
Community members and stakeholders
consistently laud the walkability of the Denton
Square District. However, this pedestrian-
friendly environment is confined to the
immediate area around the square and fails to
extend as a cohesive network linking essential
destinations and institutions. Moreover,
Denton's location in North Texas means it
experiences hot temperatures for much of
the year, exacerbating the need for shade for
pedestrian comfort. Community priorities
support pedestrian friendly districts and
prioritizing cool, walkable routes to expand the
pedestrian network into and around Downtown
Denton
The Case for Action
Currently there is a lack of adequate
tree canopy coverage around Downtown
Denton's Historic Square District, a shortfall
particularly pronounced as it falls short of
the recommended 40% canopy density for
adequate cooling . Properly installed tree canopy
and awnings can help reduce peak summer
ambient temperatures by 2-9°F and can keep
surface temperatures 20-45˚F cooler than
similar unshaded urban materials . The proposed
actions support the pedestrian network by
creating a district that prioritizes pedestrians
through improved and increased sidewalks,
routes connecting public spaces, and by
developing the Denton Chill Streets program .
3A Priorities Served
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS5
Retail & Commercial
RC2, RC4, RC5
Safety
S2, S3
Traffic & Transit
TT1, TT2, TT3
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
What are Chill Streets?
Chill Streets prioritize features that
make the air and surface temperatures
of downtown Denton cooler and are
situated along sidewalks, pathways or
trails adjacent and/or parallel to streets,
that are designed to serve residents
who walk, bike, and use transit . These
public realm features include natural
and engineered shade, vegetation beds,
green stormwater infrastructure, and
light, reflective paving materials . Chill
Streets, at a minimum, should prioritize
a shade coverage target for pedestrian
routes of 30% coverage as measured
during the hottest times of the day . Chill
Streets should aim for 40% or more
shade coverage at the hottest times of
the day from tree canopy or awnings .
Engineered shade features such as
awnings may have a higher percent
coverage depending on how the feature
is installed .
Chill Streets
New Crosswalks
Pedestrian Priority District
Pedestrian Priority Routes
Denton Square District
Design Downtown Denton 29 Better Utilize Street SpaceNew Crosswalks
Pedestrian Priority Routes
Pedestrian Priority Areas
Chill Streets
MAP LEGEND
Oakland St IOOF Cemetery
DCTA line
DCTA Rail Trail
Sycamore St
Chestnut St
Prairie St
Highland St
Maple St
Eagle Dr
W Hickory St
W Oak St E Oak St
Greg St McKinney St
Parkway St
Congress St
Egan St
Panhandle St
Broadway St
Linden Dr Locust StLocust StElm StElm StUniversity Dr
Bolivar StCarroll BlvdN Bell AveD
a
l
l
a
s
D
r
Mill St
E Prairie St
E Sycamore St
E Hickory St
Mingo RdFrame StNorth Pecan Creek
Pecan 4Pecan Creek
Fred Moore
Park
Oakwood
Cemetery
Mulberry St
Bell AveTWU
UNT
Prioritize broad-leaf trees.
Where space is available, include green stormwater features.
The City should incentivize awnings and tree canopy coverage to
create a comfortable experience.
30 Design Downtown DentonBetter Utilize Street SpaceProposed Actions
Develop a Denton Chill Streets Program:
• Undergo a geographically located tree
inventory for Downtown .
• Set the parameters of what defines a Chill
Street in Denton, and identify and designate
streets as Chill Street .
• Create standards for Chill Streets that can
be applied to public and private properties
and include strategies such as:
• Broad-leaf trees along sidewalks,
• Vegetation beds and/or green
stormwater infrastructure,
• Awnings in areas that do not have tree
wells and vegetation beds,
• Light, reflective paving materials,
• Shaded benches, seating areas and bike
racks, and bus stops .
• Wayfinding that directs people to parks,
cooling stations, water fountains, and
water features
• New pedestrian crosswalks
• Expand the Downtown Design Guidelines
(refer to recommendation 3D: Public
Realm Design Guidelines and Zoning
Recommendations) to include strategies for
keeping pedestrian priority areas and routes
cool and comfortable in the heat of the
summer .
• Create a streamlined process for the
permitting of development features that
contribute to additional shade coverage or
public realm cooling design .
• Focus Chill Street improvements along
Hickory Street, Sycamore Street, Elm Street,
Locust Street, Oakland Street, Exposition
Street, and within Quakertown Park .
• Coordinate with DCTA to define specific bus
stop design standards specific to identified
Chill Streets .
Prioritize lighter color concrete or paving where possible.
Prioritize locating benches in shaded areas and around green
space.
Prioritize connecting and communicating about hydrating stations.
Design Downtown Denton 31 Better Utilize Street Space• Develop tree planting and maintenance
program with local organization(s) to
promote planting trees on private property
What is a Pedestrian Priority
District?
The Pedestrian Priority District is the
area of Downtown where streets will
prioritize pedestrian comfort, even in
areas where the available right-of-way
requires trade-offs between modes .
Create a Pedestrian Priority District:
• Use the Square as a core, defining
the boundaries as Oakland Street and
McKinney Street (north), Prairie Street
(south), Bell Avenue (east), and Carroll
Boulevard (west), and extending south
to support new development in the zone
suggested in recommendation 3A .
• Follow the design guidelines in
recommendation 3D .
Develop and Improve Pedestrian Priority
Routes (See map on page 29):
• Follow the design guidelines in
recommendation 3D to create Pedestrian
Priority Routes:
• Between the universities and the square,
• Between parks and public spaces,
• Between City cooling stations,
• To the Downtown Denton Transit Center
(DDTC), and
• To regional park trails .
• Upgrade pedestrian infrastructure,
including crosswalks, along Hickory Street,
Sycamore Street, Elm Street, Locust Street,
Oakland Street, Exposition Street, Prairie
Street, Oak Street, Austin Street, sections of
Carroll Boulevard and within Quakertown
Park .
32 Design Downtown DentonBetter Utilize Street SpaceBroad-leaf Trees
Light Concrete or Paving Materials
Native Plant Beds
Shaded Bike Lane
Building Awning (in background)
Raised Bike Lane
Chill Streets
Rights-of-ways were identified as Chill Street candidates in Downtown Denton based on whether
they connected key destinations, if they were important pedestrian routes currently, and if new
development in the area could catalyze the development of improved public spaces. There is no
one-size-fits-all for a Chill Street design and creative strategies must be considered. This rendering
depicts a conceptual Chill Street along Prairie Street as part of development south of Downtown
(see Recommendation 3A Develop South of Downtown).
Design Downtown Denton 33 Better Utilize Street SpaceShaded Seating
Shaded Sidewalk
Elm Tree
Silva Cells or Structural Soils
1C Priorities Served
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1
Culture
C2, C4
Traffic & Transit
TT1, TT2, TT3
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
34 Design Downtown DentonBetter Utilize Street SpaceTT
BPCImprove Bike Connections1C
Building out protected bike infrastructure will
further enhance Denton’s mobility networks
to improve safety and accessibility for those
who ride bikes. Recent projects in Denton have
created pieces to a network, but a more cohesive
and connected set of routes with further
investment and planning can better separate
bicyclists from cars – an important next step in
encouraging biking in the Downtown area. Safe
biking connections will create a more inclusive
environment for all modes of transportation, as
well as for the range of skills and experiences
people have with biking in Denton.
Case for Action
Downtown Denton has made recent progress
towards creating a bike network, most recently
through the Mobility Plan, which has identified
areas of need for new bicycle infrastructure
throughout the City . While projects like the E
Hickory Street bike lane have been completed,
many gaps in the network remain, and there
is a disparity between the existing bike
infrastructure and the safe and comfortable
bike infrastructure needed to encourage riding
a bike for all levels of riders . Destinations such
as Downtown Denton Transit Center (DDTC),
University of North Texas (UNT), Texas Woman's
University (TWU), and Quakertown Park are
close to Downtown, but the route between them
is not always comfortable .
Proposed Actions
Build Behind-the-Curb Priority Network
• Focus City funding and construction efforts
to prioritize bike lanes that connect to UNT,
Denton Square, TWU, and Quakertown Park .
• Extend the curbs along this network so
that there is enough space to put bike
infrastructure behind it, taking cyclists out
of the street and further separating cyclists
from car traffic .
Develop Expanded Protected Bike Network
• Update the Mobility Plan to recommend
construction of a larger network of protected
and behind-the-curb bike lanes that allows
bicyclists to reach major destinations like
DDTC and the DCTA Rail-Trail, as well as
University Drive, with minimal exposure to
car traffic .
• Update Denton Development Code (DDC)
and Criteria Manual to only implement
sharrows* and non-protective infrastructure
where there is not ROW available for
protected bicycle infrastructure . Prioritize
safety and quality of important routes over
quantity of less protected infrastructure .
*road markings showing a biker with two
arrows above it used to indicate a shared lane
environment for bicycles and automobiles
Extended Bicycle Routes
Priority Bicycle Routes
Design Downtown Denton 35 Better Utilize Street SpaceExtended Bicycle Routes
Pedestrian Priority Areas
Priority Bicycle Routes
MAP LEGEND
Oakland St IOOF Cemetery
DCTA line
DCTA Rail Trail
Sycamore St
Chestnut St
Prairie St
Highland St
Maple St
Eagle Dr
W Hickory St
Oak St E Oak St
Greg St McKinney St
Parkway St
Congress St
Egan St
Panhandle St
Broadway St
Linden Dr Locust StLocust StElm StElm StUniversity Dr
Bolivar StCarroll BlvdN Bell AveD
a
l
l
a
s
D
r
Mill St
E Prairie St
E Sycamore St
E Hickory St
Mingo RdFrame StNorth Pecan Creek
Pecan 4Pecan Creek
Fred Moore
Park
Oakwood
Cemetery
Mulberry St
Bell AveTWU
UNT
1D Priorities Served
Traffic & Transit
TT1
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
TT
36 Design Downtown DentonBetter Utilize Street SpaceImprove Transit1D
A transportation system that improves
connectivity across all modes of transportation
improves accessibility for all of Denton’s
residents and visitors. While the Denton County
Transportation Authority’s (DCTA) GoZone and
transit stops provide public transportation to
Downtown Denton, its services and its stop
designs can be barriers to ridership. With
changes to bus stop amenity considerations,
routing, frequency, and scheduling service
design, the rider experience can be improved,
providing more opportunities for new riders, and
increasing the ability for people to move around
Denton and across DCTA’s expansive network.
Case for Action
Downtown Denton is itself a key destination
within Denton that should be accessible by
modes other than driving . Most bus stops in the
Downtown area lack basic amenities to provide
those waiting with a place to sit or shade from
the sun . Currently, Denton Connect bus routes
lack stops in key residential locations that
make walking to the nearest bus stop infeasible
for many Dentonites, while limited routing
schedules make it difficult to enjoy Denton’s
night life car-free . While DCTA is currently
making adjustments to increase frequencies
and add stops to the Denton Connect routes
by Fall 2024, continuing to improve the transit
network in Denton, which will provide access
to Downtown Denton for those who cannot or
choose to not drive .
Proposed Actions
• Downtown Denton should work together
with DCTA to improve or include bus stop
amenities such as lighting, seating, and
shade within Downtown to make transit
service a safer and more comfortable
experience . Enhancing bus stops at high
ridership locations with the inclusion of real-
time scheduling information can help transit
riders know when the next bus is coming .
• The City should partner with the DCTA
on increasing the frequency of buses,
expanding hours of operation, and adjusting
routes to improve connections between
Downtown and key destinations throughout
the City . DCTA should continue to evaluate
the GoZone on-demand service to improve
service delivery and ensure the GoZone is
complementary to the Denton Connect
fixed-routes bus service .
Design Downtown Denton 37 Better Utilize Street SpaceDCTA Transit Bus Source: 2005-2024 Community Impact Newspaper Co.
Build Out Bus Stops
• The City and DCTA should update bus stop
design standards to ensure all stops have an
element of shade, whether from street trees,
adjacent buildings, or a dedicated shelter .
• DCTA should consider updating bus stop
design standards to ensure bus stop
amenities are sensitive to the surrounding
land use, neighborhood, and street context .
Downtown bus stops could benefit from
amenities such as benches, lighting, trash
cans, real-time scheduling information,
bicycle racks, and maps or other wayfinding
information .
• The City and DCTA should coordinate on bus
stop locations to ensure that all bus stops
are accessible to all by connecting them
to the greater pedestrian network using
crosswalks, sidewalks, and curb ramps .
• DCTA should consider enhancements to the
DDTC to better meet the needs of pedestrian
and bicyclists .
Enhance Transit Service
• DCTA and the City should continue to seek
regular public feedback regarding transit
service frequencies and service delivery to
understand the ongoing health of the transit
network .
• DCTA should continue to prioritize increased
frequencies and expanded service hours for
existing and future routes into Downtown .
• DCTA and the City should continue to work
together to identify areas for GoZone service
delivery in Downtown to enhance the overall
transit network . They should continue to
evaluate the GoZone on-demand service
origin and destinations to identify potential
fixed-route service adjustments and new
routes .
• Review the current Mobility plans to
ensure that the Downtown Denton Transit
Center (DDTC) serves as a transit hub for
Downtown Denton by including it as a key
point along Denton’s bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure networks .
38 Design Downtown Denton March 2024 DRAFT
Build a Network of Improved Public Spaces
2
Quakertown Park
Design Downtown Denton 39 Improved Public SpacesBuild a Network of Improved Public Spaces
Why is this important?
Enhancing parks and public spaces will elevate both the
quality of life and economic vitality of Downtown Denton .
Activating vacant lots and utilizing alleys and underutilized
streets will not only improve pedestrian safety but also make
Downtown more attractive to residents and businesses
alike, bolstering economic growth . New and improved
parks will provide central gathering places for residents,
boosting community cohesion and serving as a catalyst
for development while enriching the cultural landscape,
fostering creativity, attracting visitors, and enhancing the
overall vibrancy of Downtown Denton .
Create vibrant gathering areas
to enrich the overall urban
experience .
Photo Source: Discover Denton
Leverage improvements in
public spaces to stimulate
economic activity .
Photo Source: Mend Collaborative
Prioritize the preservation and
unearthing of Denton's rich
heritage and cultural identity .
Photo Source: Mend Collaborative
Enhanced
Public Spaces Fostering
Development
Featuring
Denton History
What are we attempting to accomplish?
40 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesQuakertown Park Master Plan2A
At 32 acres, the vast greenspace that is
Quakertown Park is a distinctive and unique
component of Downtown Denton. Historically
a Freedmen's Town before being converted to
a city park and later containing O'Neil Ford-
designed civic structures and landscapes,
Quakertown Park holds layers of history and
story within its pastoral landscape. Today, the
park is host to a variety of community events,
civic spaces, and day-to-day activities, which
this plan intends to continue to support. This
plan aims to reveal and provide education and
memorialization of the park's history while
envisioning the next generation of park services.
This plan for Quakertown Park addresses four
key goals:
• Recognize the Past
• Reestablish Natural Waterways
• Reconnect to Downtown*
• and Reflect Downtown Today
By realizing these goals through implementable
actions outlined in this plan, a vision for park
improvements, connections, and storytelling
can be achieved .
AE
TT BPSRCPS CQuakertown Park boundary
*See Recommendation 1B for larger context of pedestrian routes
and chill streets that connect with Quakertown Park.
Bell Av
e
McKin
n
e
y
S
tLocust St
Oakland StWithers St
Roadways
Quakertown Park is a pastoral landscape that is a unique feature of Downtown Denton. Image credit Mend Collaborative.
2A Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE2, AE3, AE4, AE5
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1
Culture
C2, C4
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS5
Retail & Commercial
RC2, RC4, RC5
Safety
S2, S3
Traffic & Transit
TT1, TT2, TT3
See the community priorities on
page 18 for more information.
Design Downtown Denton 41 Improved Public SpacesRecognizing the Past: A Position of
Understanding
Recognizing the past involves telling full
histories and acknowledging injustices . To make
a case for action and outline proposed actions,
telling the documented and oral history that we
know so far of Quakertown Park is necessary to
set a frame of reference .
What is now known as Quakertown Park was
historically home to the freedmen’s town of
Quaker . Established by freed Black people in
the 1870s, Quaker quickly became a thriving
community with homes, businesses, churches,
and a school . In the face of adversity and
segregation, Quaker grew into a vibrant, self-
reliant town within a town, with residents
building a strong community that supported
each other through mutual aid and cooperation .
Beginning in the 1870s, groups of families
arrived in Denton as part of the wave of freed
Black people relocating to urban areas after
the full abolition of slavery in 1865 . Like many
freed Black people in the Reconstruction era,
they prized education and its potential to create
a better future for their children . The City’s
promise to construct a dedicated free public
school for Black children played a major role in
their decision to settle in Denton . Constructed in
1878, the Denton Colored School, later renamed
the Frederick Douglass School, occupied the
corner of Terry and Holt avenues (near the
present-day Denton Senior Center) . Although it
was a segregated school that received second-
hand supplies from the Whites-only schools
in the district, Frederick Douglass provided
important educational access to Black children
in Quaker .
Quaker continued to grow throughout the late
nineteenth and early twentieth centuries . In
addition to the school, Quaker was home to
commercial shops and restaurants, lodges for
men’s and women’s social organizations, and
several churches . Residents included Dr . E .
D . Moten, the first Black physician in Denton;
Henry C . Bell, an early principal of the Frederick
Douglass School; Ford Crawford, who owned
a grocery store; Bert Crawford, who owned a
mortuary; Anthony Goodall, who owned a cafe;
and Henry Taylor, a gardener and landscaper
whose park-like yard contained rare and notable
white lilacs .
Masonic Lodge. Image Source: Denton County Office of
History & Culture
Ford Crawford store. Image Source: Denton County Office of
History & Culture
42 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesIn the 1910s, White city leaders began
discussing the forced removal of residents
from Quaker . The College of Industrial Arts
(present-day Texas Woman’s University) to the
north of Quaker saw their proximity to the Black
community as an obstacle to expansion and
initiated the movement for displacement . White
business leaders, civic organizations, and City
officials joined in support and began promoting
the idea of replacing Quaker with the City’s
first public park, disguising racist motivations
behind Progressive-era improvements .
After the Frederick Douglass School
mysteriously burned down in 1913, the City built
a new school three years later in the southeast
part of Denton, a less than desirable area
located over a mile away from Quaker and well
away from the city center . In 1921, the City voted
to approve a bond issue to purchase the land
occupied by Quaker and turn it into a park .
Quaker residents were given the option to sell
their property outright or have the city move
their houses and other buildings close to the
new school in southeast Denton .
The decision to displace Quaker sparked
anger and resistance from its residents .
Black leaders protested the forced removal
of Quaker, arguing that it was an act of racial
discrimination and a violation of property
rights . Quaker resident Will Hill filed a lawsuit
against the city, but eventually dropped the
suit out of fear for his family’s safety . Quaker
residents were threatened if they tried to resist
displacement or tried to move into established
White neighborhoods, and most ultimately had
little choice but to leave their Quaker property
and move to southeast Denton or leave the city
altogether .
By 1923, approximately sixty Quaker families
had been displaced and over seventy buildings,
including homes, churches, and businesses,
had been moved or demolished . What had been
a robust town became vacant land .
Members of the House of Ruth, a women’s organization,
photographed circa 1910. Image Source: Denton County Office of
History & Culture
Residents Joe and Alice Skinner shortly after their marriage in
1913. Image Source: Denton County Office of History & Culture
Design Downtown Denton 43 Improved Public SpacesWhile White city leaders promoted the creation
of a city park as justification for the removal of
Quaker, the area remained largely vacant for
decades . The Denton Women’s Club, one of the
early supporters of a city park, constructed a
building along the east side of Oakland Street in
1928, and the City constructed the Emily Fowler
Public Library to the south of the Women’s Club
in 1949 .
Image source: 1921 Sanborn map, Library of Congress Image source: 1949 Sanborn map, ProQuest
In the 1960s, the City hired famed Texas
architect, O'Neil Ford, to design a master plan
for the park, which would later become Civic
Center Park . As part of the park, Ford designed
a swimming pool with a sunbathing bank built
into the landscape, the present City Hall with
a front landscaped courtyard, the Civic Center,
and an addition to the library . In the late 1970s,
the Denton Senior Center was constructed
in the park, designed to mimic Ford's original
building designs .
44 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesIn 2006, the park was renamed Quakertown
Park in recognition of its history . City of Denton
Landmark Markers, Texas Historical Markers,
and informational wayside signs have been
installed, a start to documenting the history of
Quaker and its residents .
The City of Denton has designated several
local landmarks within the park, including a
Quakertown marker, the Denton Women’s Club
building, and the O’Neil Ford Civic Complex,
which encompasses the full boundary of the
park as well as the Ford-designed buildings
within the park .
The Case for Action
The destruction of Quaker has had a
lasting impact on its residents and their
descendants . It not only resulted in a loss of
homes and businesses, but also disrupted
the establishment of generational wealth
and shattered a close-knit community that
had endured decades of segregation and
discrimination . Furthermore, this history and
its impact was largely untold for decades . While
recognition has begun within the city and its
institutions, additional action is needed .
Circa 1965 Master Plan, designed by O’Neil Ford. Image Source: Denton County Office of History & Culture
Note: The removal of the senior center and the pool at
Quakertown Park reflects previous planning efforts and
any final decisions will be made in the context of future
public engagement associated with the design of the
park . If these facilities are removed from the Quakertown
location, the program will be replaced elsewhere in the
Denton Parks and Recreation system .
Design Downtown Denton 45 Improved Public SpacesOverall Concept Plan for Quakertown Park
North Scale 1" = 300'-0"N. Bell AveN. Austin St.E. McKinney St.N. Bell AveOakland St.Withers St.
E. Oak St.
Nature and Community Space
City Hall
Library
Civic Center
Women's Club
Pecan Creek
Flexible Lawn Space
23 Main Amphitheater Lawn (see
action 2A.23, 2A.27)
22 Welcome Lawn (see action 2A.27)
24 Community Event Lawn (see action
2A.27)
36 New Western Park Entrance and Denton Writers Walk (see
action 2A.19, 2A.26)
40 Stepped Creek Edge - Temporary Creek Pooling Area
(see action 2A.10, 2A.14, 2A.15)
41 Main Amphitheater
34 Exploratory Creek Crossing (see action 2A.14)
38 Amphitheater Grove (see action 2A.11)
33 Wetland Garden (see action 2A.11, 2A.12, 2A.16)
37 Naturalized Creek Edge (see action 2A.10, 2A.11, 2A.14, 2A.15)
35 Creekside Seat Walls (see action 2A.14, 2A.29)
Connections
25 E McKinney Raised Park Crossing
(see action 2A.17, 2A.18)
26 Treetop Raised Boardwalk (see
action 2A.28)
29 Widened Crossing at Historic Bridge
(see action 2A.28)
27 New Wide Bridge (see action 2A.28)
31 Land Bridge over Pecan Creek (see
action 2A.28)
30 Widened Pedestrian Park Entrance
(see action 2A.22)
28 New Pecan Creek Trail (see action
2A.28)
32 Pedestrian Park Entrance with Park
Gateway (see action 2A.28)39 Interactive Water Sculpture and Sunbathing Hillside
(see action 2A.8, 2A.24)
Supporting Structures
10 Park Cafe / Beer Garden and Bike Rental Building
(see action 2A.22)
7 Retail and Restaurant Hub with Plaza (see action 2A.17, 2A.9, 2A.21, 2A.29, 2A.30)
6 Mixed Use Hotel/Retail wrap around Public Parking Structure
(see action 2A.17, 2A.20, 2A.21)
8 City Hall Expansion with Underground Parking
(see action 2A.9, 2A.20, 2A.25)
9 Park Support and Public Restroom Building (see action 2A.9)
5 Event / Convention Building with Underground Parking
(see action 2A.31)
Historical Monument
19 Quaker Remembrance Monument
(see action 2A.2, 2A.3)
15 Quaker Historical Monument
(see action 2A.1)
16 Quaker History Walk (see
action 2A.4)
17 Quaker Terry Avenue Monument
Walk (see action 2A.4)
18 Quaker White Lilac Monument
Garden (see action 2A.5, 2A.6,
2A.7, 2A.11)
Parking
4 Reconfigured Library Parking (see action 2A.19)
1 Existing Civic Center Loading
2 Event Staging Parking (see action 2A.20)
3 Public Parking Lot (see action 2A.20)
Outdoor Civic Event Space
12 Historic Bridge Plaza (see action 2A.22, 2A.26, 2A.29, 2A.30)
13 Civic Center Event Plaza (see action 2A.8, 2A.22, 2A.26, 2A.30)
11 Park Entry Plaza (see action 2A.17, 2A.22, 2A.30)
14 Existing Nook at the Library
Play
21 Exploratory Nature Play Area
20 Playground
Proposed Tree
Existing Tree
Proposed Building
Existing Building
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3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4
5
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46 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesIn the event that the full vision for Quakertown
Park as visioned on the previous page isn't able
to be realized on the southern end of the park
with the addition of a City Hall expansion and
new Event / Convention building, an alternate,
less development-intensive option is provided
above .
In this alternate option, the lawn in front of the
existing City Hall is formalized into an event
lawn where stages can be set up for concert
events . A small public plaza is added between
the lawn and City Hall's Courtyard, providing
a space for vendors to set up and people to
rest under the shade of the courtyard's mature
canopy . A small community orchard provides a
buffer from the adjacent property and a fun way
for people to engage with the landscape .
The Civic Center's parking lot can be
significantly reconfigured to provide for more
green planting areas and a buffered pedestrian
route through the lot .
Alternate Concept Plan for Quakertown Park
N. Bell AveN. Austin St.E. McKinney St.
Oakland
St.
E. Oak St.
City Hall
Library
Civic Center
Pecan Creek
North Scale 1" = 300'-0"
Proposed Tree
Existing Tree
Proposed Building
Existing Building4
5
Reconfigured Civic Center Parking Lot
Pedestrian Pathway within Parking Lot
1 Secondary Raised Pedestrian Crossing
2 City Hall Event Lawn
3 City Hall Event Plaza
4
5
1
2
3
Design Downtown Denton 47 Improved Public Spaces North Scale 1" = 300'-0"
Quakertown Park is host to may of the City's
most exciting and well-attended events . It
is important that any new improvements
in the park provide for stage/performance
space, as well as for vendor space . This
event set up diagram illustrates areas that
have been identified in the concept plan
where these activities can occur on event
days .
The alternate concept plan on the previous
page provides for additional event space .
Event Set Up Plan for Quakertown Park
Open Lawn for Stage or Performance
Vendor Space
48 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesMain Amphitheater Lawn
Amphitheater
Public Plaza
Land Bridge
Playground
Public Restrooms
Interactive Water Sculpture
Quakertown Park
As a beloved and historic space in Denton, Quakertown Park is a busy space. The concept presented
in this report builds on Quakertown's most valuable assets. This illustrative rendering showcases
how this plan improves event areas, creates new amenities to serve residents and park users on
a day-to-day basis, considers revenue generation, restores natural waterways and creates a more
intentional human connection to nature, and importantly creates intentional spaces to reveal the
history of Quaker.
Park Cafe + Beer Garden
Park Support Building
Park Bike Rentals
New Park Bridge
Design Downtown Denton 49 Improved Public SpacesMain Amphitheater Lawn
Treetop Walk
Nature Play Area
Interpretive Bridge Crossing
Historic Bridge
Interpretive Lilac Garden
Public Plaza
Wetland Garden
Playground
Quakertown Rememberance Monument
Terry Avenue Monument Walk
Morrison's Corn Kits Mill
Civic Center
Emily Fowler Library
Wells Fargo Tower
Quakertown Monuments
Park Bike Rentals
Creekside Seating
Woman's Club
City Hall
50 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesProposed Actions
The history of Quaker is both a testament to the
resilience of Quaker residents and a reminder
of the systemic racism Black communities
continue to face today . This history should
be well-represented in the future plans for
Quakertown Park to encourage reflection on
the past and help inform a more equitable
future . Representation of this history should
be designed in close collaboration with the
Black community of Denton, especially the
descendants of Quaker residents .
The following recommendations reflect
comments from a series of listening sessions
and discussions with the Black community and
descendants of Quaker residents held in the
spring of 2024 . Recommendations demarcated
with a numerical label can be directly cross-
referenced with the Overall Concept Plan for
Quakertown Park on page 35 and example
images .
Intermediary Actions Prior to the Start of
Construction of Park Improvements:
The City should establish plans, procedures, and
funding for future archaeological investigations
in sensitive areas likely to experience ground
disturbance in future redevelopment work . Test
holes and/or remote sensing, such as ground
penetrating radar, could be utilized to inform
future planning .
Additionally, the City should encourage and
facilitate further oral history interviews with
Quaker descendents . These oral histories should
be recorded, transcribed, indexed, and placed
in a public repository at UNT, TWU, or the Baylor
Institute for Oral History .
Descendents of Quaker have also expressed
desire for the City to identify a permanent
interior space for an exhibit on Quaker . The
City should begin identifying where an existing
building can support this, or if a new space
should be created .
Park Design Actions:
• The park should contain multiple
monuments to represent the history of
Quaker throughout the entirety of the park .
» Monuments throughout the
park can vary in size and impact, but ones
closer to the park edges should be highly
visible from outside of the park to draw
visitors in . For example, size and/or lighting
could be used to create visual impact and
draw people in .
» The Frederick Douglass School
was an important catalyst for the
establishment of Quaker and should be
commemorated with a monument .
» Names of the Quaker
residents who were displaced should be
commemorated in a monument . Additional
research may be necessary to ensure all
displaced residents are included .
» Physical locations of at least
some buildings, including churches, stores,
and residences, should be commemorated
along the "Terry Avenue" walk . This could be
through markers/signage and/or through
physical representations of buildings .
»Consider how monuments will interact with
the current use of the park . For example,
monuments installed flush with the
ground may not be practical, especially
during events with hundreds of visitors
walking and park vehicles driving across
the grounds .
• The park should contain informational
signage throughout that tells an accurate,
authentic story of Quakertown .
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Design Downtown Denton 51 Improved Public Spaces• Landscaping should be utilized to reflect the
history of Quaker .
» White lilacs should be
incorporated as a design motif to
commemorate Quaker resident Henry
Taylor’s garden .
» Landscaping should incorporate
native or adapted plants that bloom in
all seasons to represent the perpetually
thriving and resilient Quaker community .
» A healing or tranquility garden
should be incorporated to provide visitors
with a place to reflect and rejuvenate .
• The City should establish dedicated funding
for ongoing maintenance of monuments and
markers/signage .
• The City should consider creating a
permanent exhibit within a new or existing
building to display artifacts and documents,
play oral histories, and show the future
Quaker documentary . The proposed new
civic structures in the park could contain a
permanent exhibit while providing space for
rotating exhibits .
Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester - "Argentum:
Double-Positive" Image by J. Adam Fenster
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The Smokey Hollow commemoration “spirit houses” in Cascades
Park in Tallahassee, FL and the ghost houses at Franklin Court
in Philadelphia are examples of how buildings can be physically
represented. Image sources: Architect Magazine, National Park
Service
Interpretive signage with etched glass/plexi panels can be used
to reference the historic built landscape. Image source: National
Park Service
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2A .2
52 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesHistoric Preservation Actions related to
Development Opportunities:
• Revise and clarify the local
landmark designation of Quakertown Park to
limit it to the O’Neil Ford-designed buildings
and landscape features that remain intact:
»City Hall & courtyard
»Civic Center
»Sunbathing Hillside at the current Civic
Center Pool
»Emily Fowler Library
»General shape of the creek
• Generate design guidelines for new
construction in the park that protect the
historic character . New construction should:
»Be compatible in materials and massing to
the historic buildings
»Avoid touching the historic buildings or,
if necessary, use a visually lightweight
hyphen to connect to the historic building
»Retain the City Hall courtyard
»Retain viewsheds of the primary elevations
of the buildings
• Require archeological monitoring for any
new construction that will lead to ground
disturbance in areas suspected to have
Quaker-era or Native American below ground
resources .
• Remove excess concrete and
re-naturalize the creek to align with the
original O'Neil Ford design for the park,
which followed the natural contours of the
creek bed and took advantage of existing
topography for vistas and pathways .
Programming Actions:
• Create an annual event that commemorates
Quaker, similar to the Tulsa Black Wall Street
Legacy Festival .
• Create guided and self-guided tours that
tell the history of Quaker . Creating and
leading tours could be an opportunity for
partnership between the City of Denton and
the Denton County Office of History and
Culture .
• Initiate an Artist-In-Residence program
that works with the City, specifically
within Quakertown Park and throughout
Downtown on installations regarding the
commemoration of Quaker . The Artist-
In-Residence will advise on major City
initiatives, lead their own artistic and
curatorial projects, and have dedicated
workspace within a space in or near
Quakertown Park . This program will work to
fulfill artistic story-telling about Quaker until
and beyond the realization of permanent
artistic monuments are realized .
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2A .9
2A .10
The 2024 Black Wall Street Legacy Festival in Tulsa, OK is a
"series of free events and programs in May commemorating the
1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The event is led by survivors and
descendants, with the intent of sharing truth, inspiring hope, and
extending tradition". Image and Quote Source: The Black Wall
Street Times
Design Downtown Denton 53 Improved Public SpacesReestablishing Natural Systems: The
Case for Action
Over time, the natural systems in Quakertown
Park have been neatly hemmed into a tidy,
well-manicured, and efficient park landscape .
Unfortunately, the landscape of the park
today is a departure from sustainable land
management practices, and reduces the
already fragmented natural habitats of many
beneficial plants and animals .
Expanses of tidy lawns, often perceived as
quintessential features of human-inhabited
landscapes, carry significant ecological
drawbacks . Their vast expanses disrupt natural
systems by displacing native vegetation,
reducing biodiversity, and altering soil
composition . Traditional lawn care practices,
such as frequent mowing and fertilization,
contribute to environmental degradation by
polluting waterways and harming beneficial
insects and wildlife . Lawns also have no effect
in slowing water movement in large storms, and
can exacerbate accelerated stormwater flow .
In a similar capacity, natural creek edges offer
ecological and aesthetic benefits that concrete
creek edges do not . The organic shape and
diverse vegetation of natural creek edges
provide vital habitat for many plant and animal
species, fostering biodiversity and supporting
local ecosystems . In contrast, concrete creek
edges increase water temperatures, accelerate
water flow, hinder the movement of wildlife, and
do not support natural vegetation . Naturalized
creek edges absorb excess water during heavy
rainfall, reducing the risk of flooding and
erosion, and help keep water cool .
Natural landscapes also contribute to the
scenic beauty of parks and green spaces,
enhance recreational opportunities, and
promote community well-being . By restoring
natural spaces in Quakertown Park, we can
safeguard ecological integrity, mitigate flood
risks, encourage a deeper human connection
to nature, and enhance the overall resilience of
our landscapes . The Overall Concept Plan seeks
to “unhem” some of the edges of these systems,
reestablishing a more natural function to the
park’s ecologies .
Non-natural creek edges lead to dangerous maintenance
routines on steep slopes and increased erosion. Image by Mend
Collaborative
Large expanses of lawn have their place in event areas,
but there are many opportunities to introduce more natural
landscaping for visual interest and ecological health in the park.
Image by Mend Collaborative
54 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesProposed Actions
Vegetation improvements in the park will
increase flora and fauna diversity and contribute
to an improved park experience for visitors:
• Increase areas of natural vegetation
in the park with native plant beds of shrubs,
perennials, and trees .
• Implement Green Infrastructure
strategies, such as rain gardens or bioswales,
in areas of the park where water frequently
collects or swales toward the creek .
• Create areas of native pollinator
habitats in areas of the park that are less
actively used to support pollinators that
have been observed in the park, such as
butterflies, bees, and moths, with native
plant beds and pollinator lawns . These areas
could occur on the grounds within the park,
or on green roof installations on buildings
within the park .
Naturalizing the creek edges in strategic
locations will contribute to improved water
quality, assist in mitigating extensive flooding
events, and provide scenic areas for people to
gather and explore:
• Remove the concrete channel within the
central portions of the park and restore the
creek edges in both branches of Pecan Creek
with a variety of strategies:
» Gabion baskets or stepped edges
can provide ways for people to sit along the
creek edge and relax along a more natural
shore .
» Reduced slope and naturalized
planted edges will provide habitat for
flora and fauna, and can provide critical
breeding habitat for water species .
• Slow down stormwater and treat
it where it falls by building rain gardens or
naturalized channels where water naturally
rests or flows through the park toward Pecan
Creek .
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2A .12
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2A .16
2A .14
2A .15
Natural plant beds can frame spaces and enhance the beauty of
the park. Image from Frank+Grossman Contractors.
Clover lawns can function as traditional mown lawns but also
provide ecosystem services. Image from Outsidepride.
Areas of seating outcropping from a naturalized creek edge
allow people to connect to nature. Image of Park “Taubenloch” by
Uniola.
Naturalized creeks provide areas of habitat and increased
ecological function and visual interest. Image of La Rosa
Reserve Stream Daylighting by Boffa Miskell.
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2A .11
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2A .14
2A .15
Design Downtown Denton 55 Improved Public SpacesReconnect to Downtown: The Case for
Action
Today's connection to the core of Downtown
Denton from Quakertown Park is difficult to
navigate, with unclear access routes into the
park, safe routes along accessible sidewalks,
and a visual barrier to the park due to large
expanses of unprogrammed lawn space and
parking lots . Close to 50% of the park edges
are drive entrances or parking lots . Quakertown
Park is a respite in the City, a place to cool down,
to engage in recreation, and to gather with
community . For such an incredible resource
so close to Downtown, Quakertown Park is
missing a "grand entrance"; a sense of arrival
in a welcoming green space that some of the
best parks provide . Due to the size of the park,
there is opportunity to create various entrances
depending on the direction park visitors are
traveling from or what their intended targeted
use within the park is .
For Quakertown Park to become a seamless
part of Downtown Denton, it needs to be
reconnected at its edges and along main
downtown arterials with safe and accessible
pedestrian routes, clear bike routes, and by
repurposing parking areas for added park space .
Aachen Station Square in Belgium. Image and design by HH+F
Architekten Hentrup Heyes + Fuhrmann
Proposed Actions
• Create an intentional park entrance
for travelers using the East McKinney
and Oak Street corridors . Create a raised,
expansive crossing for pedestrians and
bicyclists over East McKinney Street just
east of Oakland Street, stretching the park
over McKinney to create an intentional,
welcoming entrance to the park on the
southern edge .
• Implement improvements along
streets connecting to the park from the
Downtown core, allowing for safe and
accessible routes for pedestrians and
bicyclists to navigate between the two
spaces .
• Create an intentional park entrance
for travelers coming from the Locust Street
corridor by converting the parking lot behind
the library into park space . This would create
a welcoming and intentional entrance into
the park from the west . The current library
parking would then need to be relocated
across Oakland Street to the vacant city-
owned lot at the corner of N Austin Street
and Oakland Street .
• Reduce the amount of surface
street parking that occupies the edges of the
park by removing areas of surface parking
and creating structured parking across East
McKinney Street .
2A .17
2A .17
2A .18
2A .19
2A .20
56 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesReflect Downtown Today: The Case for
Action
Quakertown Park has been a vital place for
community gathering, civic activities, festivals,
and daily park use for decades . Updating
Quakertown Park's features and amenities for
modern uses is crucial to ensure that this valued
public space remains relevant, accessible, and
enjoyable for the Denton community . As societal
needs evolve and urban landscapes change,
parks must adapt to meet the diverse demands
of their users . Integrating contemporary
features such as sustainable landscaping,
accessible amenities, and customized facilities
that better serve park users of today will not
only enhance the overall appeal of the park
but will also foster a sense of inclusivity and
well-being among park visitors . With the overall
vision of the future of Downtown Denton
proposed to enhance downtown into a vibrant,
dynamic place that enriches the quality of life
for residents and visitors alike, Quakertown
Park should be considered a key component of
achieving that vision .
Proposed Actions
Creating development opportunities within the
park and near the park will expand the vibrant
commercial activity in Downtown through the
park:
• Extend Quakertown Park across
East McKinney Street, connecting the park
to a new development of commercial and
public spaces south of the park . This new
development area should:
»Establish a connection between park and
downtown
»Be a transition between downtown and
park (and vice versa) with commercial
(restaurant/retail), permanent market
space for a farmer's market, and open
public spaces .
»Feature a centralized public plaza within
the new development area that creates
a visual connection to Quakertown Park
for gathering, seating, landscaping, food
trucks, and water play .
»Provide temporary programming, such as
food truck spaces, pop up splash pads, pop
up vendor markets, or chalk events .
»Anchor the corner of Bell and McKinney
with a mixed-use building with restaurants
or retail facing the park and wraps a
parking structure for public parking .
»Install temporary bollards to close East
McKinney for special events, such as the
Arts and Jazz Festival .
• Build buildings and facilities within
the park to support cafes, bike rentals, and
pop-up or food truck spaces to activate
different areas of the park and create
commercial activity in unique spaces .
• Create a policy to prioritize or incentivize
programs and opportunities for Black
Dentonites to have primary access to
commercial and/or incubator spaces within
City-owned spaces at or near the park
(intent to right historic damages where
displacement removed generational wealth
opportunities for this community) .
2A .21
2A .22
Ithaca Commons is a pedestrian-friendly linear plaza flanked
by restaurants and retail, flexing between vibrant day-time
activities and exciting evening and night-time programming.
Image Credit Sasaki.
2A .21
Design Downtown Denton 57 Improved Public SpacesThe Porch in Cincinnati's Washington Park is a great example of a community rest stop in the park, where folks can drop by for a soda,
beer, wine, or snack, and sit in the shade surrounded by nature. Facilities like this can operate via contracted vendor, City-operated
vending, or seasonal/rotational vending. Image Credit Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation.
Farmers Market Pavilion and Plaza in Eugene, OR. Image Credit City of Eugene, OR.
2A .22
2A .21 N. Bell AveOakland St.E. Oak St.
E. McKinney St.
Commercial Building
with Underground
Parking
Linear Pedestrian-
Only Plaza
Commercial Building
Raised Pedestrian Crossing
Structured Parking
Wrap Mixed-Use with Rooftop Amenity Space
58 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesDesign the park with the intention of
accommodating for large events in a more
organized and intentional manner, including:
• Creating more intentional spaces
for performance areas and stages, including
a new main amphitheater and several open
lawn areas for temporary stages .
• Updating circulation routes to
alleviate congestion and make the park safer
for larger gatherings, including adding a
third bridge over Pecan Creek near the Civic
Center and "exploratory" creek crossings
between City Hall and the Library and where
the creek branches converge .
• Design seat walls throughout the
park near areas where vendors will regularly
set up to provide concealed yet convenient
places for vendors to hook up to power and
water for events .
• Adding open plaza spaces that can
be easily occupied by vendors during events .
These spaces should be paved in brick or
concrete, have adequate space for vendor
booths/tents and visitors, and provide utility
hookups such as power . When not used for
vending, these spaces can be occupied by
cafe tables and chairs for use by park users .
• Build a new event or convention
building adjacent to the Civic Center . This
building should have underground parking
to accommodate for its users, as well as Civic
Center guests and general park users .
Many facilities in Quakertown Park have reached
a point in their lifespan where they either require
significant facility updates, renovations, or new
facilities in order to meet modern uses and
function properly . The Overall Concept Plan
recommends:
• Relocate the Senior Center
elsewhere in Denton, creating a new state-
of-the-art facility for seniors and turning this
area of Quakertown Park back to green park
space .
• Re-vision the Civic Pool to an
interactive and artistic spray feature, play
area, and community sunning hill .
• Expand City Hall to the south to
provide much needed space for city staff in a
modern facility while preserving the existing
O'Neil Ford building .
• Update the landscaping around the
Civic Center and the Emily Fowler Central
Library to provide more outdoor space for
activities and events at these facilities .
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2A .24
2A .25
2A .26
2A .27
2A .28
2A .29
2A .30
2A .31
The interactive and artistic fountain in Klyde Warren Park in
Dallas excites kids with shooting jets, fantastic water shows, and
provides a cooling and pleasing environment. Image Credit OTL.
2A .24
Design Downtown Denton 59 Improved Public SpacesThe Fayetteville Festival Park Performance Pavilion is a beautiful
sculptural piece of architecture when not in use, and provides
a stunning experience for audiences while in use. Image credit
Clark Nexsen.
2A .27
Concrete seat walls within the park landscape can be clever
ways to provide park seating, but double as utility hook ups for
vendors during events. Image credit Architonic.
A new bridge like this one in Barnes Park, Sunderland, UK, will
alleviate heavy traffic in the park, increase safety during events,
and add touch of modern flare to the park.
Moore Square in Raleigh, NC was designed to allow for flexibility
of spaces for different programming. There are permanent
structures for vendors in the park, with plenty of park seating
during casual park days, but also areas where these spaces
can be converted to pop-up vending for events and festivals.
Images from Moore Square Market and Landscape Architecture
Foundation.
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2A .22
2A .30
2A .29 2A .28
60 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesActivate Vacant Lots 2B
AE
TTS
RCPS CDowntown Denton has several underutilized
or vacant lots. Activating these parcels offers
opportunities to enhance the public parks
and open space network, combat extreme
temperatures through additional greenspace,
and increase economic opportunity within
Downtown through events. Initial low-cost
improvements such as trees, planters, and
benches will enhance comfort. As Denton grows,
strategic plans and guidelines for additional
pocket park spaces should be created for public
and private development.
The Case for Action
As Downtown is further developed, vacant and
underutilized parcels should be identified to
build the parks and open space network and
support economic development goals . The
vacant lot on the Square has the potential
to enhance the downtown public realm and
connect the Square to other active areas
Downtown such as Austin Street .
E Oak St
Locust StElm StBell StBell StE Hickory St
E McKinney St
E Sycamore St
Denton Square
1
2
3
4
5
321 E Hickory Street
206 E Oak Street
427 E McKinney Street
118 N Locust Street (Lot on the Square)
179 E Hickory Street
This map shows existing and proposed open space and identifies vacant lots that
could become temporary or permanent pocket parks, expanding the network of
parks and open space Downtown and supporting economic development.
5
4
3
2
1
2B Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE2, AE3, AE4, AE5
Culture
C1, C2
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1, BP3, BP5
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4
Retail & Commercial
RC3
Safety
S2, S3
Traffic & Transit
TT1
See the community priorities on
page 18 for more information.BPOther underutilized or private parcels around
Downtown could become pocket parks
that offer public amenities and integrate
public art to enhance the overall Downtown
environment . The proposed actions focus on
the identified parcels (See map below) and offer
considerations that can be applied to other
properties around Downtown .
Design Downtown Denton 61 Improved Public SpacesTemporary planters, umbrellas, and cafe seating transform a
corner lot in Philadelphia, PA. Source: NACTO
Proposed Actions
General Recommendations for Lot Activation:
• Develop guidelines for pocket parks within
future Parks and Open Space plans .
• Create a Lot Activation Policy to support
the temporary activation of privately- and
publicly-owned lots to enhance vacant space
until they can be developed .
• Add trees for shade and/or planters to
combat rising temperatures in summer .
• Seek public input for amenities, considering
benches, water fountains, pet waste stations,
restrooms, trash cans, etc .
• Work with the Public Arts Committee to
identify opportunities for temporary or
permanent artworks .
• Integrate developed branding and
wayfinding to distinguish public spaces, see
Recommendation 4F.
Raised Artistic Crosswalk
Flexible Vendor Booths
Loading Areas
Gathering Lawn
Outdoor Patio Extension
Performance Space
Right-Sized Street
Cafe Extension
Activate the Lot on the Square:
This lot has been identified as a potential
catalyst project for Downtown improvements,
integrating Chill Streets and Pedestrian Priority
Routes in Recommendation 1B . See pages 62
and 63 for the full vision .
• Purchase and develop the parcel as a multi-
use public plaza .
• Cater the space to support markets
and temporary events that will support
economic activity by integrating vendor
booths .
• Extend the plaza across N Locust Street,
towards the courthouse, through a mid-
block, raised crosswalk .
• Integrate a stage and terraced seating for
events, working with existing grade changes
across the site .
• Use this connection to develop an ADA-
compliant pedestrian network east from the
Square .
• Create space for outdoor cafe seating and
work with local restaurants and/or create
opportunity to support food trucks or pop-
up cafes .
• Extend design improvements along Austin
Street, adding trees, bollards, and flexible
event space to ensure cohesive activation .
The vacant lot on the Square should be acquired and designed as a day-
to-night community space, providing accessible ramps, pop-up vendor
spaces, performance space, and clear views of the courthouse. N Locust StN Austin StADA Ramp & Stairs
62 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesPatio Seating
Rooftop Cafe Extension
Plaza Views Frame the Courthouse
Accessible Ramp
Austin Street Sidewalk Extended
Artistic Paving
Extended Sidewalk
Design Downtown Denton 63 Improved Public SpacesBollards for Safety
Performance Space
Gathering Lawn with Terraced Seating
Extended Sidewalk
Flexible Vendor Booths
Flexible Vendor Booths
Trees & Plantings
Murals
Welcome Sign
Vehicle Loading Zones
The Plaza on the Square
The Plaza on the Square is an identified catalyst site to activate vacant lots Downtown (see Lot 1
identified on page 46.) This public space partners with local businesses and the City to offer flexible
vendor booths, a performance stage, a gathering lawn, and a rooftop cafe that can be utilized
from day to night. The new plaza highlights views of the courthouse and offers safety features for
pedestrians such as bollards and raised crossings. Other design features such as an ADA accessible
ramp, murals, artistic pavers, and street trees create a fun, unique, and accessible space for the
community to enjoy year-round.
64 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesUtilization of Alleys2C
Denton has several alleys that are underused or
feel unsafe to walk through. Enhancing these
areas offers an opportunity to improve the
perception of safety, beautify them and connect
them to the Downtown pedestrian priority
district. To activate these alleys, improvements
should focus on lighting, seating, paving and
plantings to enhance comfort and create a
sense of place for pedestrians and businesses.
Initial, low-cost activations could include
hosting events and adding lighting and art to
the walls and pavement.N Elm StN Locust StActivated Alleys
Case for Action
Alleys like Oakland Street and Beer Alley,
with their connections to businesses and
entertainment, can be transformed to better
suit pedestrian mobility, promote safety and
provide summer shade . Throughout the plan,
efforts are being made to support enhanced
walkability and pedestrian facilities . Proposed
alley improvements will create inviting corridors,
offering convenient access from the Square
and Quakertown Park to Hickory Street and off-
site parking .
Cleaner, more vibrant streets will improve the
perception of safety Downtown . These alleys
can become active streets supporting Denton's
arts culture and enhancing infrastructure .
Enhancements like outdoor cafe seating,
courtyards, plazas, overhead structures with
shade, and private nooks will create small
enjoyable spaces, and boost business visibility,
helping them thrive .
Mid-block through-alleys without connections
to businesses, such as between Mulberry Street
and Hickory Street east of Carroll Boulevard,
can be improved through minor lighting,
wayfinding and aesthetic improvements to
improve safety and better integrate these
pathways into the pedestrian network .Carroll BlvdW Sycamore St
W Hickory St
W Oak St
Beer Alley
AE
TTS
RCPS C2C Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE2, AE3, AE4, AE5
Culture
C1, C2
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1, BP3, BP5
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4
Retail & Commercial
RC3
Safety
S2, S3
Traffic & Transit
TT1
See the community priorities on
page 18 for more information.BPPedestrian Priority District
Design Downtown Denton 65 Improved Public SpacesProposed Actions
• Establish partnerships with alley-adjacent
property owners on maintenance, events, and
closures .
• Develop strategies to integrate operational
needs of alleys including service and
emergency vehicle access, trash and waste
disposal needs, and parking/vehicular access .
Typical times for services outlined in the
closure plan will also be posted on regulatory
signs near alleys .
• When possible, reduce two-way vehicle access
to one-way in order to prevent congestion,
safety issues and potential damage to alley
and mew features when vehicles pass one
another . Design alleys to give priority to
pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles,
thereby ensuring vehicles operate at safe
speeds
• Install removable/retractable bollards
installed near entrances of alleys to alert
vehicles to temporary closures .
• Raise the alleys to curb height to remove
distinction between pedestrian and driving
space while making it easy for necessary
vehicles to operate close to businesses .
• Adding trees and plantings clearly identify
alleys as pedestrian spaces by providing a
human scale element that provides color and
texture to the space . Trees in alley spaces
should be placed in areas near seating to
provide shade .
• Integrate a variety of outdoor spaces within
the alleys including outdoor cafe seating,
courtyards, plazas and private nooks . Seating
should be accommodated along alley
corridors in the form of dispersed benches
surrounded by planting or in plaza/courtyard
settings . Moveable chairs and tables should
be considered where possible, as well as seat-
walls in public spaces .
• Overhead strand lighting can add
some attractive lighting to the space
complementary to well-spaced pole- or wall-
mounted fixtures that illuminate the alley .
• Wayfinding signage should be added at ends
of alleys to show distance and direction to
destinations at the opposite end integrated
with Downtown branding .
• Alleys should be immediately recognizable as
pedestrian environments at the entry point
with a gateway sign or structure and pavers
differentiating it as a primarily pedestrian
space .
• Activation Pilots: Install low-cost
improvements to lighting and public art, and
host events to improve the perception of
alleys .
Lighting Gateway
Events Plantings
Art Pavers
66 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesUtilization of Underutilized Streets2D
AE
TT BPSRCPS CDenton Square is an anchor for retail,
restaurants, and cultural venues, but some
streets surrounding the Square are quiet,
primarily used for parking, utilities, and a few
businesses. There is an opportunity to transform
these spaces, often called mews streets, to be
more pedestrian-focused and develop a plan to
use these streets for temporary events. Small
improvements could be made to improve the
pedestrian experience and begin to activate
the space. As Downtown Denton grows, a
strategic plan should be developed to activate
underutilized streets as public spaces.
The Case for Action
Streets like Pecan, Austin, Walnut, and Cedar are
located near most of the Downtown activity, but
have few business entrances and lack the street
infrastructure to support pedestrian traffic .
There is an opportunity to beautify these mews
streets, focusing on the pedestrian network
around the Square, and use these streets to
hold events . These proposed actions focus on
improving the pedestrian experience along
mews streets through beautification, climate
experience, and safety, and suggest minor
improvements to infrastructure to support
these spaces for events . All improvements must
follow the Denton Square District Standards and
Guidelines .
E Oak St
McKinney St
Pecan St
Walnut St Austin StLocust StElm StBell StBell StCarroll StE Hickory St
Pedestrian Priority District
Quakertown Park
Denton Square
Denton Square District
This map identifies Cedar Street, Pecan Street, Austin Street, and Walnut Street as the
recommended Activated Secondary Streets. The four streets of focus are located within
the Historic Denton Square District and the identified Pedestrian Priority District.
Mews Streets are public right-of-ways that prioritize
pedestrian and bicycle use, but accommodate vehicles in
small numbers and at low speeds for local access such as
loading, services and deliveries, and on-street parking. Cedar StActivated Mews
2D Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE2, AE3, AE4, AE5
Culture
C1, C2
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1, BP3, BP5
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4
Retail & Commercial
RC3
Safety
S1, S2, S4
Traffic & Transit
TT1
See the community priorities on
page 18 for more information.
Design Downtown Denton 67 Improved Public SpacesPaving details can create interest and distinguish space along
streets. Source: Karavan, Landezine
Temporary street-wide installations. Source: Claude Cormier
Landscape Architecture, Landezine
Chicanes are offset curb extensions that reduce speeds and
increase public space along a corridor. Source: NACTO
Proposed Actions
• Consider reducing parking on the mews
streets by limiting parking to permit holders,
such as local business owners or vendors
during temporary events .
• Identify loading areas for business owners,
performers, event vendors, and delivery and
maintenance vehicles .
• Redesign Cedar Street and Austin Street to
support events . Reduce the street width and
make traffic one-way on Cedar and Austin .
• Collaborate with Downtown groups to
develop a plan for temporary street closures
and schedules for programming .
• Consider raising the street and/or adding
chicanes, offset curb extensions, to calm
traffic speeds . (See Illustration .)
• Add electrical outlets every 50 feet for
vendors and performers in areas identified
for special events .
• Add retractable/removable bollards across
the ends of streets identified for special
events to protect visitors .
• Consider purchasing and stocking
temporary street elements such as water
stations, portable restrooms, seating, and
portable shade that can be added to make
events more successful .
• Add trees and plantings to provide
necessary shade and improve the climate
experience .
• Install pedestrian-scale lighting to increase
safety . This could be through typical light
poles, street-wide string lighting, or through
artistic lighting installations .
• Work with the Public Art Committee to
integrate public artworks throughout,
considering murals, temporary installations,
and small details like pavers and street
elements throughout the design process .
68 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesCreate a New Park in Southern Downtown2E
By dedicating a large central open space as a
community park and incorporating a range of
activities and amenities, the southern downtown
redevelopment area can become a vibrant and
inclusive destination. Activating the park's
edges, repurposing historic buildings, ensuring
safe access, and creating a comfortable
microclimate will all contribute to a dynamic
and welcoming urban park that serves the
community year-round.
The Case for Action
A centralized green space in Southern
Downtown can serve as an anchor to catalyze
proposed development and economic
opportunities . As the central hub of the
proposed development area, this park can serve
the community, host events, provide recreation
and play opportunities, and foster community
connections .
Proposed Actions
Dedicate a large central open space in the new
southern downtown redevelopment area as a
community park that achieves the following:
• Provide a robust range of activities in the
park to encourage all day, year round use
such as an open lawn space, a hammock
grove, a playground, an interactive
water feature, a performance stage, an
amphitheater (see bullet below), and a cafe .
• Activate the edges of the park by creating
a performance stage area and shaded
amphitheater to host events and concerts .
• Convert the historic Zoom-Zooms building
into a cafe with an outdoor patio .
• Provide food truck hookups on the western
side of the park .
• Establish a robust tree canopy over the park
to create a comfortable, shady microclimate
within the park . Prioritize planting large
shade trees that shade 40% of the park
surface .
• Provide safe and accessible park entrances
and crosswalks by installing signed or
signaled crosswalks at surrounding street
intersections, and reviewing existing ADA
compliance in the area .
Amphitheater seating carved into the sloping landscape.
Source: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Hammock groves provide fun, comfortable seating options.
Source: James Corner Field Operations
AE
TT BPSRCPS C2E Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE2, AE3, AE4
Culture
C1
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4
Retail & Commercial
RC4
Safety
S1
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Design Downtown Denton 69 Improved Public SpacesElm StLocust StWarren Ct
Prairie St
Pedestrian
Paseo
Sidewalks
Cafe Patio
Interactive
Fountain
Trellis
Swings
Shaded Grass
Amphitheater
Performance Stage
Sidewalks
Food Truck Parking
Petrified Wood Cafe*
Open Lawn
Hammock
Grove
Street
Landscaping
Play Area
Street Landscaping
Water Wall
Concerts during the evening activate the park throughout the
night. Source: MN State Fair
Mature, healthy tree canopies provide spaces to sit and enjoy
the park on sunny days. Source: Klyde Warren Park
*Currently "Zoom-Zoom's"
70 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesImprovements to the County’s Historic Park2F
SRCPS CDenton County’s Historical Park located on
Mulberry Street and Carroll Boulevard is
an important historic landmark and open
space in downtown featuring multiple
structures depicting historic life in and
around Denton County. The Historical Park
features the Bayless-Selby House museum
and the Quakertown House museum, as well
as a Welcome Center. Future plans include
renovating the Taylor Log Cabin and the Woods
House, adding to the park's attractions. The
space also currently hosts various community
events, including farmers' and community
markets, live music, and storytelling sessions.
The Case for Action
Currently, the layout of the Historical Park
and how it connects to the downtown can
be improved and there are opportunities to
collaborate on historical programming, and to
assist with preservation policy updates .
The County Historical Park is directly adjacent to Carroll Boulevard, a busy roadway in downtown that acts more as a barrier to the park.
2E Priorities Served
Culture
C1, C2, C4
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4
Retail & Commercial
RC3
Safety
S1
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Design Downtown Denton 71 Improved Public SpacesProposed Actions
Collaborate with the County on Historic Park
Improvements:
• Collaborate on wayfinding and messaging
for the Historical Park .
• Work with the County on improvements to
the Historical Park especially with how they
relate to the public realm and surrounding
city context .
• Work with the County on the relocation of
the community market to keep the market
in the Downtown area, potentially being
relocated to the new park in Southern
Downtown .
Assist with Preservation Policy Updates:
• Ensure that the City's Historic Preservation
Officer is involved with future policy updates
Collaborate on Programming and
Storytelling:
• Collaborate on rotating exhibits between
the Quakertown homes in the Historical
Park and the future exhibit space within
Quakertown Park . The Denton County
Office of History and Culture can aid in
the preservation of archival materials, and
rotating exhibits can help connect the
Quakertown homes in the Historical Park to
their original locations within Quakertown
Park .
• Collaborate on guided and self-guided
walking tours that tell the story of
Quakertown . Tours could include a walk from
Quakertown Park to the Quakertown homes
in the Historical Park .
The Community Market currently uses the space on weekends.
Updates to the Park may require relocating the market.
Prioritize exploring opportunities to collaborate on storytelling.
72 Design Downtown DentonImproved Public SpacesDevelop Public Art Plan2G
AE
SPS CMural on the former SCRAP Denton building at Prairie and Bell
by Mick Burson, removed in 2021. Image Source: Mick Burson
Developing a public art plan for Downtown
Denton will allow the City to further define the
cultural and historical characteristics of the
downtown, utilize future development as an
economic opportunity, and continue to exhibit
the unique local talent with its community
and tourists. Denton has made steady and
successful strides to prioritize public art over
the last two decades. The Public Art Policy,
established in 2007, was last revised alongside
the creation of the Public Art Committee in 2013.
In 2016, a Public Art Master Plan was adopted.
These documents have guided Denton’s artistic
identity and led to programs like the Artscapes
Mural Art Initiative, which activated available
spaces by adding murals around Denton to
help beautify the city and minimize graffiti. A
downtown-specific public art plan would allow
the city to develop a modern identity, working
with the historic character and new public
and private development to create a cohesive
environment through public art placement,
material choices, colors, art form, and more.
2E Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE1, AE2, AE4
Culture
C1, C2, C3, C4
Parks & Public Spaces
PS4
Safety
S1, S3
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
The Case for Action
Downtown Denton is a vibrant home of iconic
murals, sculptures, and monuments . With
the recent designation of the Original Denton
District (ODD) as a cultural district by the Texas
Commission of the Arts in 2019, there is an
opportunity to implement public art strategies
alongside public and private development
Downtown, highlight cultural and historic
resources, and set the tone for public arts in
Denton . The City can use the boundaries of
the ODD to strategize public art placement, set
goals, and implement policies that work with
developers and the Denton Square District .
The Public Art Committee, City staff, and
other interested stakeholders should work
together to review established documents
- Public Art Policy (2013), Denton Public Art
Master Plan (2016), and Denton Square District
Standards and Guidelines (2019) - and consider
opportunities for revisions to these documents,
or a create a new public art plan specifically for
Downtown Denton .
Design Downtown Denton 73 Improved Public SpacesProposed Actions
Actions for the Public Art Plan:
• Review established documents relating
to public art in Denton and develop a new
public art plan or revise existing documents .
• Identify a new boundary, like the Original
Denton District, to prioritize improvements .
• Specify projects or locations of interest
such as neighborhood branding, gateway
monuments, or sculpture walks . These
could be high-traffic areas or under-utilized
corridors .
• Develop a public space material palette for
each area as well as for local and national
historic districts . This could limit colors for
murals within certain blocks, and define
functional elements like bollards and
wayfinding .
• Implement an annual temporary art
installation program in Quakertown Park .
This could be developed as its own event or
coincide with other Denton festivals .
Increase Diversity, and Strengthen
Community Impact and Education:
• The Public Art Committee could set specific
goals to increase diversity like holding seats
for student representation, local artists, and
art educators and providing an honorarium .
• The City could develop a statement
committing to equity in the arts -
highlighting the importance of creative
expression and addressing inequities within
the Denton and regional arts communities .
• Set goals to diversify artists represented in
the Denton community and develop a list of
pre-qualified artists .
• Expand upon local partnerships to support
underrepresented communities .
• Continue to work with the Greater Denton
Arts Council to work with emerging artists .
Andy’s Bar Mural by Dan Black. Image Source: Independent
Venue Week
Sculptures in the Carroll Boulevard Art Trail. Image Source: Al
Key, Denton Record-Chronicle
Other Actions:
• Establish a Commitment to the Environment
or Sustainability clause that would define
preferred materials for permanent work
and prioritize projects that use recycled or
recycle-able materials .
• Develop an inspirational Public Arts Ideas
List that contains examples of sculptures,
benches, gateways, lighting, paving details,
planters, and more .
• The city could implement a Percent-for-
Art program or a Public-Art-in-Private-
Development policy, which would require
a percentage of the overall project budget,
often 1%, to go towards public art .
Improved Public Spaces74 Design Downtown Denton March 2024 DRAFT
Target Development to Build on Downtown’s Character and Assets
3
Denton Square District
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 75
Target Development to Build on
Downtown’s Character and Assets
Why is this important?
Capitalizing on successful floodplain mitigation efforts
and the strong market, Denton has opportunities for
redevelopment . With an aim to accommodate the city's
growth, these projects seek to bolster the area's vibrancy
while preserving its historic character through targeted
infill, civic investments, and new open spaces . Encouraging
downtown living through the addition of residential
units further fosters community growth and economic
vitality, complemented by affordability actions . Finally,
strengthening historic preservation efforts and updating
design guidelines to ensure quality development .
What are we attempting to accomplish?
Develop and expand the
Southern Downtown area .
Image Source: Catalyst Group
Encourage downtown living
to accommodate Denton's
forecasted growth .
Image Source: Catalyst Group
Strengthening guidelines to
preserve Denton's unique
character .
Image Source: dallasfarmersmarket.org
Redevelopment New Residents High Quality
Development
3
Target Development76 Design Downtown Denton
Develop Southern Downtown3A
The projects aimed at mitigating the floodplain
south of the Square have been successful,
removing approximately 24 acres from the
flood zone. This achievement opens up new
opportunities for development that were
previously impractical. These newly available
areas can now host private redevelopment
as well as public improvements. Southern
Downtown also presents an opportunity to
expand the Downtown, supporting Denton's
present and future growth. Southern Downtown
can accommodate significant development that
complements the historic Square.
The Case for Action
An in-depth analysis of the financial conditions
throughout Downtown Denton was conducted,
examining land values, ownership complexity,
tax base trends, and infrastructure . This analysis
aimed to identify areas where development
might be most feasible . The findings revealed
that, largely due to the complexity of ownership
and existing infrastructure challenges, much of
Downtown will require partnerships to advance
development . These partnerships could focus
on projects such as public realm or utility
improvements, as well as other types of public
investments like new parks, which can stimulate
further development .
Additionally, an analysis of the market for
new development was conducted, providing a
ten-year forecast . This forecast indicated the
market viability for 358,000 additional square
feet of retail space, with over 50% dedicated
to food and beverage, and the capacity to
absorb nearly 50,000 square feet of office
space . The approximately 24 acres of newly
developable land south of the square offer a
prime opportunity for this type of development,
all while preserving the historic character of the
square .
AETT
BPSRCPS H CDevelopment precedent imagery from around north Texas.
Image source: Catalyst Group
3A Priorities
Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE3, AE4, AE5
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1
Culture
C2, C4
Housing
H1, H2
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1, PS2, PS3, PS5
Retail & Commercial
RC2, RC4, RC5
Safety
S2, S3
Traffic & Transit
TT1, TT2, TT3
See the community priorities on
page 18 for more information.
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 77
1 Mixed-Use
Residential / Office / Restaurant
1A
3C
3B
3 Mixed-Use
Offices / Residential/ Shared Parking
4 4 New Southern Park / Retail
Outdoor Stage
5 5 Residential
Townhomes
3A Performing Arts Center
3A
6 6 Mixed-Use
Office/Apartments
22Restaurant or Retail
Proposed Actions
Encourage the redevelopment of Southern
Downtown with the following intended results:
1. Mixed-Use Redevelopment: Two-block
infill combining residential, restaurant, and
small commercial space .
2. Targeted Infill: Small retail and
restaurant spaces to complement existing
development and streetscape .
3. Civic Presence: Place new office/residential
mixed-use buildings and a performing
arts facility (or alternate site for City Hall or
County offices) along with a public parking
structure on each end of the park for a
strong civic presence .
4. New Open Space: Create a new open space
in Southern Downtown that complements
the historic Square . Maintain and create
retail pavilion buildings, provide gathering
and event spaces, including a new stage,
and serve as a central anchor feature for the
southern Downtown district .
5. Townhomes: Targeted infill of for-sale
townhomes on underutilized land within
existing development .
6. Loft-Office Development: Mixed-use loft-
office development with maker spaces at
ground level .
Pr
a
i
r
i
e
S
t
When redevelopment occurs, plans for the public
realm should be required to follow the guidelines
(recommendation 3D Public Realm Design Guidelines)
and any project proposed should be required to include
establishment of Chill Streets where prescribed
(recommendation 1B Pedestrian Priority Routes and
Denton Chill Streets).
Legend
Proposed residential + mixed use buildings
Proposed civic building
Existing buildings
Target Development78 Design Downtown Denton
Encourage Downtown Living3B
Adding residential units and additional
housing options within the heart of the city will
continue to grow Downtown's role as a thriving
community where people live, work, and play.
Setting a specific housing goal will encourage
a diverse mix of residents, foster a lively street
life and support local businesses. Moreover, it
will contribute to the revitalization of Downtown,
breathing new life into historic buildings and
encouraging new construction. Ultimately, the
addition of residential units Downtown will
enhance the overall quality of life for residents
while bolstering the economic and cultural
vitality of the city as a whole.
The Case for Action
Denton has grown quickly throughout its
existence, and the next decade will be no
different . An analysis of the city's forecasted
growth revealed a potential gain of more
than 21,000 additional residents, including a
significant demand for infill development .
In addition to potential new residents, research
has also identified a need for more housing that
is affordable . In Downtown and the adjacent
areas, over 40% of renters are spending more
than 30% of their income on housing .
Proposed Actions
• Set a goal of encouraging an additional
1,500 units constructed Downtown within the
next ten years . Assuming an average of 1 .8
people per unit (The average household size
in the United States is currently 2 .6 people
per household, but Downtown's nationally
average between 1 .2 and 1 .9 .), these 1500
units would enable Downtown to house
approximately 2,700 new residents .
• Set a further goal of 500 of those units being
affordable to assist the city in achieving its
housing goals . RCH CRental - Market/Affordable
Rental - Up Market
Rental - Luxury Market
Rental - Senior and Assisted Living
Ownership - First Time Buyers
Ownership - Move Up / Family Buyers
Ownership - Empty Nest / Move Down Buyers
Ownership - Senior Flats
Downtown Housing Need:
Anticipated 10 year market forecast
Source: Catalyst, ESRI, NCTGOG
3B Priorities Served
CultureC4
HousingH1, H2
Retail & CommercialRC1
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
8.1%
37.2%
10.0%
44.7%
14.8%
41.1%
34.0%
10.1%
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 79
Zoning and Regulatory Actions:
• Ensure the types of units produced should
represent a variety of housing types that
meet diverse housing needs .
• The majority of the Downtown area is
currently zoned R3, R7, or Mixed Use
Districts . All of these districts allow for
townhouse or duplex development, as
well as Accessory Dwelling Units . The City
should allow tri- and fourplexes within all
Downtown districts .
• The City should take actions that will
encourage additional development of
Accessory Dwelling Units within Downtown,
including pre-approving standard ADU
plans, waiving fees, or creating grant
opportunities .
• In combination with Recommendation 3A,
larger scale, mixed use development should
be targeted for southern Downtown .
• Opportunities for residential conversion
of existing buildings, especially historic
buildings, should be explored .
• Parking requirements for multi-family
housing should be reduced .
• Provisions for shared parking between
multiple developments strenthened by
raising the percentage of parking that can
be provided above 50% when other tools,
such as 'unbundled' parking or shared
micromobility are also in use .
• The City should work with residential
developers to build shared public-private
parking garages .
Affordability Actions:
• The City should consider density and height
bonuses for the provision of affordable
housing .
• The City should encourage the utilization of
Affordable Housing Tax Credits .
• The City should encourage "unbundling"
of parking in larger apartment buildings,
while also reducing parking requirements,
allowing residents to save money on their
units if they choose not to utilize a parking
spot .
• The City, in collaboration with the "Music
Friendly Board" and local organizations
such as DMAC, should seek opportunities
for affordable "Culture Bearer" housing and
live/work spaces for artists and musicians .
This could be achieved through partnership
with national organizations such as
Artspace .
Townhouses are desirable housing types for first time
homeowners and empty-nesters due to the ease of upkeep,
and are good transitions between denser districts and historic
neighborhoods. Image source: AI Generated
Target Development80 Design Downtown Denton
Strengthen Historic
Preservation Opportunities3C
Preserving historic resources is crucial for
sustainability, providing affordable housing,
supporting small local businesses, and retaining
the character that makes Denton unique. By
continuing to strengthen and expand existing
historic preservation tools, the City of Denton
can thoughtfully adapt and develop the
downtown area to meet current and future
needs while retaining the historic character that
the community connects with and loves.
The Case for Action
The City of Denton has a history of successful
preservation efforts and has a robust foundation
of existing historic preservation tools . However,
due to the ongoing growth of Denton, historic
structures downtown are facing increasing
development pressure . Preservation provides
development opportunities that make economic
sense and protect community identity . The
proposed actions support and strengthen the
2019 Denton Historic Preservation Plan .
Proposed Actions
Strengthen Local Grants and Incentives:
• Focus on education and advocacy to
increase use of the existing local property
tax exemption programs .
• Conduct an audit of the existing programs to
examine what is working or what might need
adjustment .
• Create a local historic district tax exemption
program and explore additional local district
designation opportunities to increase
the number of properties eligible for tax
exemption without individual designation .
• Offer additional incentives or create a grant
program for legacy businesses to help
preserve cultural institutions . Incentives
AE
RCPS Cand/or a grant program could include
general relief funds, rent stabilization, and
business assistance (see Recommendation
4C Expand Programs to Support Small
Businesses) . The cities of Austin and San
Francisco both have legacy business
programs with examples of these incentives .
• Offer additional incentives, such as fee
reductions for Building Permits and
Consumer Health Permits for owners and
tenants of eligible historic properties . This
could further incentivize preservation and
adaptive reuse as well as support business
activity in the historic downtown area .
• Offer incentives for the retention of historic-
age buildings throughout the downtown area
or the city, regardless of whether they are
designated, to prevent wholesale demolition
of historic resources as development
pressure continues . The Preservation Bonus
and related Sustainability Bonus in the
City of Austin’s current HOME initiative are
strong examples of such an incentive .
• As recommended in the 2019 Historic
Preservation Plan, contract with a local
architecture firm to offer free or reduced fee
3C Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE2, AE3, AE5
Culture
C2, C4
Parks & Public Spaces
PS4
Retail & Commercial
RC1, RC4
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 81
facade and storefront improvement design
assistance for owners of eligible historic
properties . This could bolster the existing
facade improvement grant program and
help ensure that work aligns with historic
preservation best practices and local design
guidelines .
Promote Historic Tax Credits (See table below)
• Focus on education and advocacy to
increase interest in Historic Tax Credits
(HTCs) .
• Explore and promote additional state and
national designation opportunities to
increase the number of properties eligible
for HTCs as identified in the 2019 Historic
Preservation Plan .
Create Conservation Districts:
• Conservation Districts can be used to
recognize and preserve areas that contain
distinctive historical, architectural, cultural,
or aesthetic significance but that might lack
sufficient integrity to qualify as a historic
district . The City of Denton has included
eligibility provisions for historic resources
within historic conservation districts in
its tax exemption program for historically
significant sites, but the City does not yet
have designated conservation districts .
• Create conservation districts for the
Downtown areas identified in Figure 7 in the
2019 Historic Preservation Plan .
Historic Tax Credits
Applies to Value Chill
Street Eligible Uses Req'd
Designation
Investment
Threshold
Time
Limit
Texas Franchise OR
Insurance
Premium Tax
25%
QREs
Yes Income
producing or
non-profit
NR, RTHL,
SAL
$5,000 None
Federal Income Tax 20%
GREs
No Income
Producing
NR = to value of
building
2 or 5
years
• Explore additional opportunities for
conservation districts beyond those
identified in 2019 .
Enact View Protections for the Denton County
Courthouse and Morrison’s Corn-Kits Sign
• Study public view protection policies for the
most significant lines of sight for the Denton
County Courthouse and the Morrison’s
Corn-Kits sign as recommended in the 2019
Historic Preservation Plan .
Update & Strengthen Design Guidelines:
• Conduct an audit to examine what is working
or what might need adjustment in the
Denton Square District overly .
• As new local historic districts and
conservation districts are created, develop
a single design guideline document with
tailored chapters for each district for ease of
use .
• Update mural guidelines to ensure
alignment with preservation best practices
without stifling creativity .
• Enact accumulative penalty guidelines, such
as stop work order fines, for property owners
that are not in compliance with the design
guidelines .
• Consider adoption of a vacant building
policy that creates maintenance
requirements and fines building owners
who do not maintain or secure their vacant
building .
NR = National Register of Historic Places; RTHL = Recorded Texas Historic Landmark; SAL = State Antiquities Landmark
Target Development82 Design Downtown Denton
Public Realm Design Guidelines and Zoning Recommendations
3D
TT
BPSRCPS CDeveloping design guidelines for downtown
Denton is essential for several reasons. It
ensures a pedestrian-friendly environment
that encourages walkability and accessibility,
promoting a vibrant and active streetscape. The
guidelines serve as a framework for creating
spaces that cater to the diverse needs of the
community, fostering inclusiveness and a sense
of belonging. Additionally, design guidelines
help to direct development towards public realm
projects that serve the public good, such as
installing street trees, wide sidewalks, lighting,
and bike racks, enhancing the overall quality of
life in Downtown Denton.
The Case for Action
Downtown Denton's Denton Square District
has established guidelines to preserve its
unique character . However, as Downtown
Denton continues to evolve and grow, there is a
recognized need for these guidelines to extend
beyond the historic square to encompass other
parts of downtown . One crucial aspect that
these expanded guidelines should address is
the incorporation of "Chill Streets" to combat
the heat that characterizes much of the year in
North Texas .
Proposed Actions
Strengthen and Expand Downtown Denton’s
Public Realm Design Guidelines:
• Utilize downtown study area map (p. 4) to
develop boundaries for the new design
guidelines .
• Develop process for updating the landscape
requirements, design criteria manual, and
the Denton Square District standards and
guidelines to reflect the addition of new
guidelines OR create an entirely new design
guidelines document for Downtown Denton .
• Consider bringing back a revised version of
the Streatery/Parklet program which allows
businesses to turn parking spaces in front of
their business into an eating or park area .
Reinforce developer commitment to public
realm improvements:
• Create simple and streamlined process for
ROW use permitting to simplify development
process .
• Create or expand developer incentive
program for installing and enhancing public
realm improvements .
• Develop use and maintenance agreement for
private property establishing requirements
for utilizing public ROW, including
stewardship of trees and vegetation .
3D Priorities Served
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1
Culture
C1, C2
Parks & Public Spaces
PS2, PS3
Retail & Commercial
RC1, RC2, RC4, RC5
Safety
S1, S2, S3, S4
Traffic & Transit
TT1, TT2, TT3
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 83
Update Downtown's Zoning:
• Rezone SC districts along Carroll Boulevard
and University Drive to MN .
• Examine rezoning the MN parcels south of
the square to MD to stimulate development
south of Downtown . MD zoning allows
higher development and has less required
parking, which corresponds with the plan's
goals of encouraging walkable places and
shared parking . However, as both Mixed-
Use Districts have identical standards
for "Building Height in Transition Areas,"
building height restrictions on parcels
adjacent to parcels zoned R7 will not be
impacted by this change .
• Examine rezoning the MN parcels along
Carroll Boulevard to MD In coordination with
the implementation of recommendation 1A .
• Consider exceptions to the City's short-term
rental policies Downtown, until a hotel is
developed .
• Disallow surface parking as an allowable use
within the Downtown area .
• Reduce parking requirements for all uses
within the MD zoning district and encourage
shared parking arrangements, or create a
fee-in-lieu for parking that can be spent on
expanding public garages .
• Allow up to fourplexes in all residential
zoning districts within the Design Downtown
Denton study area .
Denton's current zoning map, with the area proposed to be examined for rezoning as MD outlined.
Source: Denton Development Services GIS Hub, https://development-services-dentontxgis.hub.arcgis.com/
IOOF Cemetery DCTA line
DCTA Rail Trail
Sycamore St
Chestnut St
Prairie St
Highland St
Maple St
Eagle Dr
W Hickory St
W Oak St E Oak St
Greg St
McKinney St
Locust StElm StE Prairie St
E Sycamore St
E Hickory St
Pecan 4
Fred Moore
Park
Oakwood Cemetery
Mulberry St
Bell AveRezoning Area
Mixed Use Neighborhood (MN)
MAP LEGEND
Mixed Use Downtown Core (MD)
Overlay
Residential (R7)
Public Facilities (PF)
Denton Square District
Target Development84 Design Downtown Denton
Design Guidelines Table
Site Element Outside Denton
Square District
In Denton Square
District Chill Street
Building
Entrances
Where possible building
primary entrance must
face the street or other
public spaces
Building primary
entrance must face the
street or other public
spaces*, prioritize on
the Square
Where possible building
primary entrance must
face the street or other
public spaces
Pedestrian
Sidewalk
5’ minimum**, shall
comply with the most
recently adopted ADA,
PROWAG, and FHWA
standards
8’ minimum, shall
comply with the most
recently adopted ADA,
PROWAG, and FHWA
standards
8’ minimum, shall comply
with the most recently
adopted ADA, PROWAG,
and FHWA standards
Furniture Zone
Depth
4’ minimum 4’ minimum 4’ minimum
Tree
Planting Bed
(Configuration
may vary)
6’ minimum, use Silva
Cells or structural soil
systems if installed sub-
grade below paving
8’ minimum, use Silva
Cells or structural soil
systems if installed sub-
grade below paving
8’ minimum, use Silva
Cells or structural soil
systems if installed sub-
grade below paving
Large Tree
Spacing
(Deep Shade/
Broadleaf)
• Elms
• Maples
• Honey Locust
• Ginkgo (male)
30’ minimum - 40'
maximum on center
between trees
30’ minimum - 40'
maximum on center
between trees
30’ maximum on center
between trees, prioritize
broadleaf trees, if space
allows prioritize double
row, alternate planting
ADA = Americans with Disabilities Act, PROWAG = Proposed Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines,
FHWA = Federal Highway Administration
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 85
Design Guidelines Table
Site Element Outside Denton
Square District
In Denton Square
District Chill Street
Medium Tree
Spacing
(Dappled Shade/
Narrowleaf)
• Desert Willow
• Buckeye
• Redbud
• Golden-ball
Lead-tree
• Myrtles
15’ minimum on center,
depending on species
15’ minimum on center,
depending on species
15’ maximum on center,
depending on species,
prioritize planting
medium/small trees with
perennial vegetation
planted under
Perennial
Planting Bed
6’ minimum width 6’ minimum width 8’ minimum width,
prioritize perennial
vegetation areas with
medium/small trees
Green
Stormwater
Infrastructure
(Rain Garden)
Sized and graded for
the micro watershed the
feature treats
Sized and graded for
the micro watershed the
feature treats
Sized and graded for
the micro watershed the
feature treats, prioritize
these features
Dark Sky
Compliant
Pedestrian
Lighting
(12/14’ high)
Evenly spaced along
block taking into
account tree canopy,
the City and developers
should coordinate and
consolidate utilities
Evenly spaced along
block taking into
account tree canopy,
the City and developers
should coordinate and
consolidate utilities
Evenly spaced along
block taking into
account tree canopy,
the City and developers
should coordinate and
consolidate utilities
Dark Sky
Compliant
Bollard Lighting
(4’ high)
Evenly spaced along
block, coordinate and
consolidate utilities
Evenly spaced along
block, coordinate and
consolidate utilities,
prioritize bollard
lighting in parks and
plaza spaces
Evenly spaced along
block, coordinate and
consolidate utilities
Dark Sky Compliance: Lighting that is certified dark sky compliant restricts the amount of
upward-directed light, minimizes glare, reduces light trespass, and reduces light pollution.
Target Development86 Design Downtown Denton
10’
Pedestri
a
n
Cir
c
ul
ati
o
n
Planti
n
g
B
e
d
&
F
ur
nit
ur
e
Z
o
n
e
Bike Tr
ail
Parall
el
P
ar
ki
n
g
Drive
L
a
n
e
8’
6’
10’
10.
5
’
m
i
n
Pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
C
i
r
c
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
Fu
r
n
i
t
u
r
e
Z
o
n
e
Pla
n
t
i
n
g
B
e
d
Pa
r
a
l
l
e
l
P
a
r
k
i
n
g
Dri
v
e
L
a
n
e
8’6’8’4’10.5’ mi
n
Location Reference:
Daytime Denton Square District and
Chill Street with a 90 foot ROW on the
Square and 80 foot ROW .
Pedestrian Lighting
Wayfinding
SignageQueuing
Permanent Railings
Bench
Seating
Awnin
g
Bike RacksWaste Bins
Street
o
n t
h
e
S
q
u
ar
e
Street
o
n t
h
e
S
q
u
ar
e
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 87
Location Reference:
Temporary Event
Bollards
Temporary Signage
Temporary Decorations
Queuing
Temporary Loading Zone
Pedestrian
Lighting
Location Reference:
Nighttime Denton Square District and
Chill Street with a 90 foot ROW on the
Square and 80 foot ROW .
Awnin
g
Wayfinding Signage
Target Development88 Design Downtown Denton
Design Guidelines Table
Site Element Outside Denton
Square District
In Denton Square
District Chill Street
Bench/Table
Seating
4/block face 4/block face, sited to
match the character of
the historic district
4/block face, sited in the
deepest shade
Bike Racks 8 spots/block face or
larger facilities (refer to
the 2023 Denton Design
Criteria Manual for
location standards)
8 spots/block face or
larger facilities (refer to
the 2023 Denton Design
Criteria Manual for
location standards)
8 spots/block face or
larger facilities, site in
the shade where possible
(refer to the 2023 Denton
Design Criteria Manual for
location standards)
Waste Bins 2/block face 3/block face, prioritize
branded trash bins
2/block face
Hardscape Utilize ADA surfaces Utilize ADA surfaces,
prioritize pavers that
contribute to the
historic character such
as brick
Utilize ADA surfaces,
prioritize light colored
materials where possible
Wayfinding/
Signage/Map
Sited at busy
intersections or
important public
institutions and civic
spaces
1-2/block face, prioritize
branded features
Sited at busy intersections
or important public
institutions and civic
spaces, directs people to
parks, cooling stations,
water fountains, and water
features
Murals Murals size varies
depending on location
On facades fronting
on the Square, murals
may not cover more
than 25% of the total
facade, a mural on a
separate panel must
be mounted so as to
prevent damage to the
wall behind the panel*
Prioritize murals that
depict chill street trees or
nature motifs
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 89
Location Reference:
Chill street at future development
on corner of S Elm Street with a 60
foot ROW (one-way biking) .
2’
10’
Pedestri
a
n
Cir
c
ul
ati
o
n
+ tree
pl
a
nti
n
g
Furnit
ur
e
Z
o
n
e
Bike Tr
ail
Parall
el
P
ar
ki
n
g
Drive
L
a
n
e
6’
12’
10.
5
’
m
i
n
Pe
d
e
s
t
r
i
a
n
C
i
r
c
u
l
a
t
i
o
n
Fu
r
n
i
t
u
r
e
Z
o
n
e
Pla
n
t
e
d
Z
o
n
e
Pa
r
a
l
l
e
l
P
a
r
k
i
n
g
Dri
v
e
L
a
n
e
8’6’8’4’10.5’ mi
n
Temporary Signage
Bus Shelter
Wayfinding Signage
Structural
Soils/Silva Cell
Permanent Railings
Awning
Bike Racks
Waste Bins
Target Development90 Design Downtown Denton
Shade Structures:
• Awning, canopies, balconies and other covered-projected
types of building features must comply with the
following:
• Must be consistent in height with similar covered-
projected features on adjacent or adjoining buildings .
• Must be mounted in locations that do not obscure
ornamental features over storefronts, such as
rooflines, arches, and banding .
• Must not exceed the width of the sidewalk .
• May encroach partially into the public right-of-way, but
require completion and approval of a City of Denton
Right-of-Way Use permit/application .
• Must not be torn, frayed, ripped, faded, or stained,
soiled or dirty . When not specifically addressed by this
ordinance, provisions of the City of Denton property
maintenance code shall apply .
• Must not have convex or dome frames .
• Colors of such building features must enhance and
complement the building to which they are attached,
rather than overwhelm the building scheme . Colors
must not call more attention to the projected-covered
building feature than the building .
• The frame structure of such building features must be
finished to match the metal storefront system color or
the fabric color of the associated projected-covered
type of building feature .
• Historic existing awning hardware should be
repurposed where possible .
Design Guidelines Table
Site Element Outside Denton
Square District
In Denton Square
District Chill Street
Outdoor Events Varies Provide accessible
electrical outlets
on street corners to
support events
Varies
Utilities Underground/overhead
utilities consolidation,
install grease traps
internally for new
buildings
Underground/overhead
utilities consolidation,
install grease traps
internally for new
buildings
Underground/overhead
utilities consolidation,
insure utilities do
not conflict with tree
canopy, install grease
traps internally for new
buildings
Shade Structure
(see below)
• Awnings
• Canopies
• Sails & Other Structures
Placed to prioritize
weather protection for
pedestrians
Placed to prioritize
weather protection for
pedestrians, see below
guidelines for shade
structures
Placed to prioritize
weather protection for
pedestrians, prioritized in
areas where street trees
are not feasible
References:
*2019, THE DENTON SQUARE DISTRICT: Standards and Guidelines
**2023, Denton Design Criteria Manual
Target DevelopmentDesign Downtown Denton 91
Public Right-of-Way
Encroachment Element
Outside Denton Square
District
In Denton Square District/
Chill Street
Permanent railings for dining
areas
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5’ min),
must not exceed a maximum 4’
from ground level*
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (8’ min),
must not exceed a maximum 4’
from ground level*
Temporary Seating and
Tables
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5’ min)
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5-6’ min)
Temporary Signage Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5’ min)
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5-6’ min)
Temporary Sales Tables &
Racks
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5’ min)
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5-6’ min)
Temporary Planter or Divider Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5’ min)
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5-6’ min)
Temporary Decorations Temporary holiday lighting is
permitted, must be removed
and not harm trees or
vegetation
Temporary holiday lighting is
permitted, must be removed
and not harm trees or
vegetation
Temporary Load Zones Site loading zones as close to
the talent entrance as possible,
coordinate with City Streets
department to get a loading
zone parking spot
Site loading zones as close to
the talent entrance as possible,
coordinate with City Streets
department to get a loading
zone parking spot
Queuing for Ticket Purchases 4’ from building face,
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (5’ min)
4’ from building face,
Unobstructed pedestrian
walking is maintained (8’ min)
References:
*2019, THE DENTON SQUARE DISTRICT: Standards and Guidelines
**2023, Denton Design Criteria Manual
Target Development92 Design Downtown Denton
Explore Opportunities for Transformative Projects3E
Design Downtown Denton seeks to emphasize
Downtown Denton's existing strengths as a
strategy for economic development and quality
of life. Building on the recommendations
for new development (3A and 3B) and the
improvement of public spaces discussed in
Chapter 2, there are a number of buildings or
program types that would enhance Downtown's
strengths. The programming recommended
here seeks to build on Downtown's walkability,
the community's entrepreneurship, and to
celebrate Denton's relationship with music and
the arts.
The Case for Action
Through the Design Downtown Denton process,
community members have expressed a desire
for several new amenities . For private investors,
these are uses that have been identified as
desirable and would be supported by the
community .
Proposed Actions
Public or Shared Parking
There is a perception that parking in Downtown
Denton is limited . However, the findings of
the 2024 Downtown Denton Parking Study
suggest that the greater issue may be with
the management and visibility of parking .
As Downtown continues to develop, shared
and public parking will become an even
more important component of the overall
development strategy . Parking, including new
public or public-private parking garages, should
be located and managed so that people are
encouraged to park on the edges of Downtown,
allowing the Downtown core to emphasize its
historic walkability . Parking should be managed
to encourage off-street parking by allowing
free parking in garages and paid parking on the
street . New developments, such as develop in
southern Downtown and around Quakertown
Park should be encouraged/incentivized
to build shared parking garages instead of
lot parking . Amend the DDC to significantly
increase the percentage of required parking that
can be provided through shared parking, and
streamline the approval process .
Public Market
Downtown Denton currently has numerous
opportunities for smaller vendors to have
temporary space, including a wide variety of
events and festivals . The city is recommended
to pursue creation of permanent locations for
vendors that would allow the incubation of new
business ideas that could grow and relocate
into brick-and-mortar establishments . Special
programs to support minority- and women-
owned businesses could also be facilitated .
AETT
RCPS C3E Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE5
Culture
C4
Parks & Public Spaces
PS1
Retail & Commercial
RC1, RC4, RC5
Traffic & Transit
TT2
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Design Downtown Denton 93 Target DevelopmentThe Palace Theater in St. Paul, MN is a 2500 person venue that
attracts national touring acts. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
In this example in Fargo, ND, parking is well signed and cost is
managed to encourage shoppers to park off street. Image Source:
Mend Collaborative
The Cantilever Hotel and Distillery in Ranier, MN has a unique
program. A 20 room hotel is anchored by a distillery and
restaurant. Several wellness based companies also rent space.
Source: Mend Collaborative
The Dallas Farmer's Market includes both permanent and
temporary vendor space. Image Source: dallasfarmersmarket.org
Case Studies: Desired Downtown Amenities
Hotel
There is a strong desire for at least one
Downtown hotel, whether a major hotel brand or
independent boutique . This would also create
an opportunity to partner with the University of
North Texas' hospitality program .
Music and Art Venues
In coordination with recommendation 4A,
developing a larger music venue (1,000-2,500
attendees) would allow Denton to compete for
larger national acts .
Improved Public Spaces94 Design Downtown Denton March 2024 DRAFT
Promote Nightlife, Music, Events, History, and Art
4
Dan's Silver Leaf
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 95
Why is this important?
Implementing policy and regulations that bolster music and
nightlife in Downtown Denton is vital for enriching its vibrancy
and stimulating economic development . By enacting supportive
regulations, the City can cultivate a thriving entertainment
ecosystem, attracting talent, investment, and visitors while
nurturing a distinct sense of place .
Music and nightlife are integral to Downtown Denton's identity,
drawing visitors, supporting local businesses, and fostering
community cohesion . Live music venues, bars, and events
contribute to the area's cultural richness, making it an inviting
destination for residents and tourists .
Foster live music, festivals, and
the arts, enriching the area's
identity and sense of place .
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Foster entrepreneurship and
economic resilience .
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Utilize economic development
tools to ensure successful
implementation .
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Cultural Vibrancy Small Business
Support
Economic
Development
What are we attempting to accomplish?
Promote Nightlife, Music, Events, History, and Art4
Promote Culture96 Design Downtown Denton
Utilize Policy and Regulations to
Support Music and Nightlife4A
Leveraging policy to advance music and
nightlife is crucial for enhancing Downtown
Denton's vibrancy and economic growth. By
implementing supportive regulations the city
can foster a thriving entertainment ecosystem.
Strategic policies not only attract talent and
investment but also cultivate a unique sense
of place, making Downtown Denton a dynamic
destination renowned for its music and nightlife
scene.
The Case for Action
Music and nightlife are vital to Downtown
Denton's vibrancy and identity . They attract
visitors, support local businesses, and foster a
sense of community . Live music venues, bars,
and events contribute to the area's cultural
richness, making Downtown Denton an inviting
destination for residents and tourists alike .
At the same time, Denton's position within
the Metroplex means that many musicians
and artists move to other areas in region after
experiencing success . Recommendations
that strengthen Denton's music-related
infrastructure, support local musicians and
businesses, foster cultural diversity, and help
to keep musical talent in Denton can be a key
economic development strategy for Downtown .
Proposed Actions
Join Sound Music Cities
The city should join Sound Music Cities and
take advantage of their resources . Sound Music
Cities works to support and promote vibrant
music ecosystems in cities worldwide . Sound
Music Cities also provides resources and
guidance to cities aiming to develop and sustain
thriving music scenes, helping them recognize
the economic, social, and cultural benefits of a
robust music industry .
Hire a "Nightlife Mayor"
In the long term, once additional events and
venues are added to Downtown hire a "Nightlife
Mayor" who would be tasked with supporting
nightlife in the City through the proposed
Public Improvement District (Recommendation
4G) . This new role would serve as a support to
businesses that are open after the hours, when
City offices are typically closed .
Support Historic Music Venues
In partnership with the Music Friendly Denton
Task Force, the city should update policies
relating to issues such as code compliance and
fire systems to support historic music venues,
especially as Downtown's residential population
grows . An "Agent of Change" policy would
protect historic venues from noise complaints
from new residential neighbors .
Support the addition of additional music
venues
In coordination with Recommendations 3E and
4B (Explore Opportunities for Transformative
Projects and Develop a Performing Arts
Center) and Recommendations 2A and 2E (the
Quakertown Park and Southern Downtown Park
AETT
BPSRCPS C4A Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE2, AE3, AE5
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1
Culture
C2, C4
Parks & Public Spaces
PS4
Retail & Commercial
RC1, RC4
Safety
S1, S2, S3, S4
Traffic & Transit
TT1, TT2, TT3
See the community priorities on
page 18 for more information.
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 97
A jazz performance at Steve's Wine Bar. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
concepts) work to establish opportunities for
more music venues in Denton, including a
venue that accommodates 1000-2500 people,
which is a larger venue than currently exists,
and one or more new outdoor stages that would
allow Denton to compete with other areas of the
Metroplex in attracting larger acts .
Ensure Public Realm Improvements and
Streetspace Management benefits musical
performance
In coordination with public realm
Recommendations 1B, 2B, 2C and 2D, redesign
some streets to support limited street
closures for outdoor performances on a
regular basis . Limited street closures will
help to accommodate more outdoor musical
performances .
Create housing support for culture bearers
In coordination with Recommendation 3B,
partner with local and national organizations
to design policies to facilitate the creation of
affordable living opportunities for for musicians
and artists, including live-work spaces .
Promote Culture98 Design Downtown Denton
Develop a Performing
Arts Center4B
As established in recommendation 4A, building
on the Denton's reputation as a center for the
music and the arts is an important component
of Downtown Denton's economic development
strategy. Establishing a performing arts center
in Downtown Denton would significantly
enhance the cultural landscape of the city,
providing a centralized venue for a diverse array
of artistic expressions and a point of connection
between university programs and Downtown.
Such a center would serve as a vibrant
community hub, attracting both local talent and
renowned performers, thereby fostering a rich
cultural exchange.
The Case for Action
Denton boasts a rich and vibrant history of
musical performance, dance, theater, and film,
thriving both at its universities and through
the city's robust festival culture . Research,
interviews, and public engagement have
revealed that various arts organizations need
office and rehearsal space . Many organizations
could expand their programming from annual
festivals or events to more consistent, year-
round activities if proper spaces were available .
A new performing arts center would serve as
a hub for existing organizations and provide
a valuable resource to enhance Denton's arts
scene . This center would not only boost the
local economy through increased tourism
and business opportunities but also cultivate
a deeper appreciation for the arts among
residents .
Proposed Actions
Establish a state-of-the-art performing
arts facility in Downtown Denton, utilizing
public investment as a catalyst for further
development .
• Include versatile performance spaces,
rehearsal studios, and exhibition areas
to accommodate various art forms, from
theater and dance to music and visual arts .
• Offer both market-rate and below-
market-rate office space and establish
relationships with existing organizations,
including those promoting Denton's
festivals and the universities' arts and
music programs . Develop partnerships
with resident organizations to ensure
the center hosts a range of events and
educational programs throughout the year .
AE
4B Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE2, AE3, AE5
Culture
C4
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.C
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 99
A school dance group performs on the Courthouse Square as part
of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Source: Midtown Arts and Theater Center, Houston
Case Study: Midtown Arts and
Theater Center Houston (MATCH)
The Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston
(MATCH) is a dynamic cultural hub located
in the heart of Houston's Midtown district .
It serves as a versatile performance and
exhibition space, catering to a wide range of
artistic disciplines, including theater, dance,
music, and visual arts . With its state-of-the-
art facilities, MATCH provides artists and
organizations with flexible venues that include
multiple theaters, rehearsal spaces, galleries,
and meeting rooms . The center fosters a vibrant
community atmosphere, supporting both
emerging and established artists while offering
the public access to diverse and engaging
cultural experiences .
Denton's festival's successes are driven by local performers.
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Promote Culture100 Design Downtown Denton
Expand Programs to Support
Small Businesses4C
In the Design Downtown Denton process,
stakeholders emphasized the importance of
small, local businesses to the City's identity .
Proposed actions include expanding Downtown
Reinvestment Grants, establishing a program
to help business owners purchase their
buildings, and creating a 2% loan program
for new and existing businesses . Additionally,
forming a "Small Business Benefits District" is
recommended to offer non-traditional benefits .
These initiatives aim to prevent chain stores
from dominating, support existing businesses,
and enhance ownership access for minority- and
women-owned enterprises, fostering economic
resilience and continuity in Downtown .
The Case for Action
Throughout the Design Downtown Denton
public engagement process, one of the
clearest messages from stakeholders was
the importance of small, local businesses to
Downtown Denton's character and identity .
Downtown Denton boasts a variety of locally
owned, unique businesses that would make
most cities envious . Stakeholders also expressed
a strong desire to prevent Downtown from
being taken over by chain stores, to ensure
that existing small businesses can thrive, and
to expand access to business ownership for
minority- and women-owned businesses .
Proposed Actions
Expand the use of Downtown Reinvestment
Grants
Downtown Reinvestment Grants, funded by the
TIRZ, have benefited Downtown businesses
seeking façade improvements and utility
upgrades . With expanded TIRZ funding (see
recommendation 4E), the city should proactively
identify locations and business sectors to assist .
To preserve affordability, establish a program
to assist business owners in the purchase of
their buildings
Research has shown that one of the most
effective ways for small businesses to ensure
long-term real estate affordability is through
building ownership . Empowering small business
owners through grants, low-interest loans, or
loan guarantees with community banks creates
the opportunities necessary for businesses
to secure their premises, ensuring long-term
stability . The City should work to provide
education and training for small business
owners on negotiating a right of first refusal in
their leases . This would offer them a fair chance
to buy their properties before they are sold,
preventing displacement and preserving the
character and diversity of the local economy .
Additionally, the City should include a grading
criteria for building owners who receive City
funding or grants to encourage a right of first
refusal to be included in lease agreements . This
will assist small business owners in purchasing
their buildings, allowing them to build equity,
reinvest in their operations, and contribute more
effectively to the local economy, promoting
economic resilience and continuity .
AE
RC4C Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE5
Bike & Pedestrian Safety & MobilityBP1, BP5
Retail & Commercial Development
RC1, RC2, RC3, RC4, RC5
SafetyS1, S2, S3, S4
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.BPS
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 101
Establish a 2% Loan Program
A low-interest loan program for new and existing
businesses will expand investment in Downtown
small businesses . The program should include
flexibility in the uses of funds, including:
• Building construction
• Interior improvements
• Lighting, windows and doors
• Roofing, plumbing and electrical
• Mechanical systems and air conditioning
• Sustainable building improvements
• Masonry repairs and other façade
improvements
• Repairing or replacing of cornices,
entrances, doors, windows, decorative
details and awnings
• Architectural design services for plans and
specifications
• Landscaping
• Building identification/signage
• Handicap access improvements
• Streetscape costs
• Purchase of machinery and equipment
• Leasehold improvements
• Installation of a fat, oil, and/or grease
interceptor system ("grease trap")
Loans could utilize a 10-year repayment
schedule and would include credit requirements,
though these could be waived or modified if
the proposed business owner belongs to a
historically underrepresented group of business
owners, including minority, women, and veteran-
owned businesses .
Establish a "Small Business Benefits District"
The City will partner with the Economic
Development Partnership and Denton Main
Street Boards to create a “Small Business
Benefit District” that can provide non-
traditional benefits to small businesses such
as lower insurance rates, joint purchasing, and
consolidated back-of-house functions .
Programs such as a loan program and a small business benefit
district would help to alleviate the challenges faced by small
local retailers. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Many Denton businesses foster community with unique and fun
outdoor spaces. Offering support to these businesses can help
them continue to flourish. Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Promote Culture102 Design Downtown Denton
Expand on Downtown Events4D
AETT
SPS CDowntown Denton thrives with a dynamic event
calendar that enriches the community and
adds the area's cultural landscape. From lively
festivals to intimate gatherings, these events
serve as vibrant magnets, drawing people from
all walks of life to experience the city's unique
atmosphere. Beyond merely entertaining, these
gatherings foster a sense of belonging and
pride among residents while also attracting
visitors, injecting energy into the streets, and
bolstering local businesses. By welcoming
people of diverse backgrounds and interests,
Downtown Denton's events not only enliven
the area but also contribute to its identity as a
thriving cultural hub.
The Case for Action
Various organizations coordinate events of
different sizes within downtown Denton . For
example, the Denton Mainstreet Association
orchestrates Twilight Tunes on the County
Courthouse lawn in spring and summer . The
City of Denton hosts large-scale events around
the Square and in Quakertown Park year-
round . Additionally, Denton’s Black Chamber
sponsors an electrifying blues festival . These
events are further supported and promoted
by Discover Denton, operating under Denton’s
Chamber of Commerce . There are opportunities
to streamline and organize the event hosting
process, enabling a greater number of events
to reach and benefit a broader spectrum of
community members .
Proposed Actions
Continue to Develop a Tiered Approach for
Permitting Different Sized Events:
• Align tiers with permitting timelines, allowing
for shorter timelines for smaller events .
• Develop a tool to determine tier level and
provide specific permitting guidelines per
tier - Similar to the City of Austin’s Special
Events Permit Process .
Streamline the Event Permitting and Planning
Process
• Update and simplify the Right-of-Way use
permitting process .
• Update the requirements for the Traffic
Control Plan for road closures, including
showing example plans .
• Update the requirements in Event Parking
Plan for road closures, including showing
example plans .
• Offer educational workshops on the Denton
event permit process to community groups
and members .
4D Priorities Served
Arts & EntertainmentAE3, AE4
CultureC1, C2, C4
Parks & Public Space
PS4
Safety
S1, S2, S3
Traffic & Transit
TT1, TT2
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 103
Denton's Holiday Lighting Festival is an event that brings huge
crowds and balances multiple stages, activities, performances,
and partners Image Source: Mend Collaborative.
The Denton Blues festival held in Quakertown Park, by the
Denton Black Chamber of Commerce, brings fantastic music,
large crowds, stages and food trucks into the park. Image
Source: Mend Collaborative.
Denton's Day of the Dead Festival is a free, family-friendly event
held outside on the streets of Denton complete with live music,
dancing, arts, and food.
Image Source: dentondayofthedeadfestival.com
• Create Downtown parking plan for larger
events that includes clear mapping and
signage identifying available public and
private lots, which lots are paid or free, and
other relevant information .
• Develop noise ordinance for outdoor music
pop-ups or venues .
• Hire additional staff to work a forecasted
growing number of events in Denton .
Collaborate with Partners to Expand Downtown
Events:
• Continue collaborating with downtown
partners to bring exciting events to the city
at multiple locations and times of year .
• Coordinate with Downtown Denton's
branding effort (refer to recommendation
4D Establish a Downtown Brand
Recommendation) to promote and market
events .
Promote Culture104 Design Downtown Denton
Modify and Expand on Economic
Development Tools4E
Denton employs a variety of economic
development tools to enhance its Downtown
area, yet many of these tools remain
underutilized or are not applied with a clear
strategy. Some resources available to the
city are not utilized at all, leading to missed
opportunities for growth and improvement. To
address these challenges, it is crucial to explore
how these tools can be used more effectively
and strategically. By expanding, sharpening,
and combining these economic development
tools, Denton can ensure a more robust and
successful implementation of its vision for
Downtown.
The Case for Action
A review of Denton's existing funding sources
revealed that several key economic development
tools are in place but have not been extensively
utilized .
The Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ)
retains incremental increases in property
tax revenue within a designated district,
accumulating a balance of $3 .5 million and
generating $1 million annually . These TIRZ
funds support Downtown Reinvestment Grants,
providing up to $200,000 per year to reimburse
downtown businesses in building improvements
such as roof and foundation repairs, new signs
and awnings, and utility and fire suppression
upgrades .
380 Agreements offer tax rebates or grants
for new construction aimed at economic
development . TIRZ revenue was used to provide
grant funds for such an agreement with the
Railyard project, now complete .
The Catalyst Fund, designed to support
economic development initiatives citywide,
currently has a balance of $4 .3 million and funds
entrepreneur tech, expansion, and job-based
grants .
Finally, Historic Tax Credits offer an annual
property tax exemption of up to 50% on
designated buildings with up to $10,000 in
qualifying improvements or restoration, but only
two properties downtown currently utilize this
exemption according to the city database .
Proposed Actions
The City of Denton should expand economic
development opportunities in the following
areas .
Existing Funding Sources to be Modified:
Tax-Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ)
The current TIRZ covers a limited area, though
it is now generating almost $1 million per year in
revenue and has $3 .5 million in current funding
reserves . SRCC4E Priorities Served
Culture
C1, C2
Retail & Commercial
RC1, RC3
Safety
S4
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 105
Existing TIRZ Boundary
Proposed
MAP LEGEND
Existing
Proposed TIRZ Boundary
Oakland St IOOF Cemetery
DCTA line
DCTA Rail Trail
Sycamore St
Chestnut St
Prairie St
Highland St
Maple St
Eagle Dr
W Hickory St
Oak St
Greg St McKinney St
Parkway St
Congress St
Egan St
Panhandle St
Broadway St
Linden Dr Locust StElm StUniversity Dr
Bolivar StCarroll BlvdN Bell AveD
a
l
l
a
s
D
r
Mill St
E Prairie St
E Sycamore St
E Hickory St
Mingo RdFrame StNorth Pecan Creek
Pecan 4Pecan Creek
Fred Moore
Park
Oakwood
Cemetery
Mulberry St
Bell AveTWU
UNTLocust StElm StE Oak St
Promote Culture106 Design Downtown Denton
The TIRZ should be expanded . Now that the
infrastructure bond has passed and PEC-4
will likely be constructed without TIRZ funding,
the City should, as part of the TIRZ expansion,
create a new TIRZ plan identifying priority
projects including:
1 . Incentivizing downtown housing
construction .
2 . Building out streetscape and public
realm improvements to improve public
seating areas, pedestrian safety, more
pedestrian-oriented intersections, and
bicycle facilities .
3 . Consider areas of Southeast Denton
to include in the expansion per the
Southeast Denton Master Plan .
TIRZ revenue has been used to fund Downtown
Reinvestment Grants and 380 Agreements .
This funding should continue and expand if the
TIRZ expands, but such funding arrangements
should only be executed if doing so serves a
strategic goal in implementing the Downtown
plan – that is, the City should be proactive rather
than reactive .
Downtown Reinvestment Grants
Downtown Reinvestment Grants, funded by
the TIRZ, have benefited a few Downtown
businesses seeking façade improvements and
utility upgrades . In some cases, however, a grant
to a property owner has prevented the city from
providing another grant to a tenant business on
the same property . With expanded TIRZ funding,
the City should re-evaluate current TIRZ policies
and proactively target catalyst projects .
380 Agreements
380 Agreements offer tax rebates or grants
for new construction aimed at economic
development . Only two 380 agreement have
been executed Downtown (Railyards and Fine
Arts Theater) using TIRZ funds . The City should
expand the use of 380 Agreements for both
housing and other new construction Downtown,
using funds from an expanded TIRZ and
possibly from the Catalyst fund .
Historic Tax Credits
The City should inventory historic significant
sites Downtown and, based on business and
residential opportunities that exist, prioritize
buildings that need improvement and could
benefit from the Historic Tax Credit and reach
out to relevant landowners . The Designated
Sites or Historically Significant Tax Credits
should be used where appropriate . Such efforts
could complement Downtown Reinvestment
Grants and/or 380 Agreements involving
specific businesses located in historic
structures .
Catalyst Fund
The citywide Catalyst Fund has a balance
of more than $4 .3 million . The catalyst fund
is intended for major projects of citywide
importance . A portion of the Catalyst fund
can used to encourage the Entrepreneur
Tech Program, establish 380 Agreements
and direct business assistance for startups in
the Downtown, especially those that serve a
strategic Downtown goal such as supporting
diverse local food and beverage establishments,
preserving Denton history and culture, or
recruiting tech companies downtown in
partnership with Stoke .
Texas PACE program
Under Texas law, property owners are able to
obtain low-cost capital for energy and water
conservation improvements that are paid back
by a property assessment . The City should
partner with the Texas PACE Authority to provide
this opportunity to property owners Downtown
as an additional incentive to improve their
property .
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 107
New Funding Opportunities:
Qualified Hotel Project Tax Rebate
A Qualified Hotel Project permits the rebate
of state hotel and sales tax for hotel that is
connected to meeting space of 10,000 square
feet or more . Denton became eligible for this
benefit as a result of legislation in 2023 . As
part of the East McKinney project, the City
should consider including a boutique hotel and
meeting space that would qualify for the rebate,
as both would increase foot traffic Downtown .
A different location could be considered for the
hotel and meeting space; but the meeting space
may be more desirable if located close to City
Hall .
Parking Benefit District
If the pending parking utilization study shows
that some areas have more parking demand
than supply, the City should create a Parking
Benefit District that would administer paid
parking in those areas and use the funds to
manage the parking and pay for ped/bike
facilities and street redesign . The Parking
Benefit District should be part of a larger,
comprehensive parking management effort that
includes all publicly owned (or managed) on-
street and off-street parking Downtown .
Affordable Housing Tax Exemption
The City recently established a Public Finance
Corporation eligible to own land on which
affordable housing is built, thus providing such
projects with a property tax exemption . The
City’s PFC should aggressively seek developers
to build affordable housing Downtown,
especially given the recent passage of the $15
million affordable housing bond . Among other
things, this would provide greater incentives
for constructing housing Downtown – even
market-rate housing, as the PFC law allows
mixed- income developments . Although the
PFC law has been controversial (and subject of
considerable discussion in Denton), the law was
tightened up in the last legislative session .
New Market Tax Credits
New Market Tax Credits are federal tax credits
for investments in development projects
located in qualifying communities by qualifying
entities (Downtown Denton qualifies) . These
are typically non-residential projects . The City
should identify high-priority mixed-use or non-
residential projects that might qualify for New
Market Tax Credits and identify a qualified entity
to help bring NMTCs into the financing picture
for important Downtown projects .
HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantees
HUD Section 108 loan guarantees are low-
cost, flexible loans for economic development
available to CDBG recipients from private
lenders . Loans are guaranteed by the federal
government . The City should identify critical
Downtown projects that could qualify for
HUD 108 loan guarantees and identify CDBG
recipients that could assist in bringing this
financing mechanism into key deals Downtown .
Private and Philanthropic Funding
Philanthropic and foundation funding is
increasingly used for park and open space
improvements . The City should explore
opportunities to expand Philanthropic funding
for major projects .
Promote Culture108 Design Downtown Denton
Bundling Economic
Development Tools Together
As valuable as each individual economic
development tool is, the use of tools together
can create a powerful set of incentives to
implement the goals of the Downtown Master
Plan . This was done recently for the Fine Arts
Theater, which received a grant from TIRZ
revenue through a 380 agreement as well as an
Historic Tax Credit . In the future, a Downtown
property owner could, for example, seek a
Downtown Reinvestment grant for façade and
sidewalk improvement, a Historic Tax Credit
to maintain an historic building, and a PACE
financing to upgrade energy and water systems .
A developer might be able to bundle different
tools in a similar fashion . The City should create
a menu of tools and incentives that can work
together – one menu for current Downtown
property owners, one for current downtown
business owners, and one for prospective
Downtown developers .
Land Banking
Land banking should be used as a strategic
tool to acquire, manage, and repurpose vacant,
abandoned, or underutilized properties to
stimulate economic development . Utilize
land banking to ensure that land is used in
ways that best benefit the community, such
as for affordable housing, green spaces, or
commercial projects that meet plan goals, and
to assist with land assembly that will allow larger
scale projects to move forward in areas with
divided land ownership .
Active Transportation
Funding Opportunities
There are a variety of programs at the federal
and state levels that administer funding through
TxDOT and NCTCOG and are designed to
address improvements to active transportation
through infrastructure, education and
awareness, and operational improvements . This
has been further supported by the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Law, making more funding
available for projects and programs that improve
pedestrian and bicycle safety and access, a high
priority for Downtown Denton .
Strategies like nesting active transportation
elements into larger project applications can
increase the competitiveness of projects .
For example, building intersection safety
improvements into highway or street corridor
projects can be attractive to application
evaluators seeking to fund multimodal projects
that establish connections well beyond the
project boundaries .
Federal Resources
USDOT - Reconnecting Communities and
Neighborhoods (RCN) Grant Program
Type: Non-competitive
Fund Uses: Planning, Capital, and Operations
The RCN Grant Program combines two
discretionary grant programs: the Reconnecting
Communities Pilot (RCP) and the Neighborhood
Access and Equity (NAE) program . These
programs are available for planning, capital,
and regional partnership projects that focus on
addressing gaps in the transportation networks,
specifically those that have affected historically
disadvantaged communities . The outcomes
for projects that receive funding from this
program are those that improve access to key
destinations, foster equitable development and
restoration, and redesign highways to remove
barriers to community connectivity .
USDOT - Safe Streets and Roads for All
(SS4A) Grant Program
Type: Non-competitive
Fund Uses: Planning, Capital, and Operations
The SS4A Grant Program is a discretionary
program that funds regional, local, and Tribal
projects and programs that aim to prevent
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 109
roadway deaths and serious injuries . SS4A
Grants fall into two buckets: a Planning and
Demonstration Grant, and an Implementation
Grant . Planning and Demonstration Grants
fund strategies that prevent roadway deaths
and serious injuries, including a comprehensive
safety action plan, which is needed to apply for
an Implementation Grant .
USDOT - Rebuilding American Infrastructure
with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant
Program
Type: Competitive
Fund Uses: Planning, Capital, and Operations
Previously known as TIGER and BUILD, RAISE
grants are available to fund the planning,
pre-construction, and construction of public
transportation projects, intermodal projects,
and roadway projects, among others . The grant
covers 80% of project funding in urban areas
and 100% of funding for projects in rural areas
and for planning grants in Areas of Persistent
Poverty .
FHWA - Active Transportation Infrastructure
Investment (ATIIP) Program
Type: Competitive
Fund Uses: Planning, Capital, and Operations
The ATIIP Program is a new competitive
grant program that supports construction
projects to provide safe and connected active
transportation facilities in active transportation
networks or active transportation spines .
Networks are defined as facilities that
connect destinations within a community
or metropolitan region, while spines are
facilities that connect between communities,
metropolitan regions, or states . The grant
program is split into two types of grants:
Planning and Design and Construction grants .
To be eligible for a Planning and Design grant,
planning and design costs must be at least
$100,000 and to be eligible for Construction
grants, construction costs must be at least $15
million .
FHWA - Congestion Mitigation and Air
Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program
Type: Non-competitive
Fund Uses: Planning, Capital, and Operations
The CMAQ Improvement Program is a non-
competitive long-standing grant program that
aims to improve air quality and reduce traffic
congestion, particularly in areas of the country
that do not attain national air quality standards .
Examples of CMAQ projects include signal
coordination, intersection improvements, park-
and-ride facilities, sidewalks, non-recreational
bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and transit
investment, among others . Many of these
project types directly apply to specific mobility
hub elements and related local infrastructure .
TxDOT distributes CMAQ funds to local MPOs,
and government entities are eligible to apply .
FHWA - Surface Transportation Block Grant
(STBG)
Type: Non-competitive
Fund Uses: Planning, Capital, and Operations
The STBG Program funding is non-competitive
– a formula is used by FHWA to apportion
STBG funds to each state . The funds are then
sub-allocated to NCTCOG from TxDOT using
a population-based formula . Transportation
Alternatives, or bicycle, pedestrian, transit,
and other small-scale multimodal projects,
are required to make up 10% of STBG funds .
STBG funds are intended for public roadways
where bicycle and pedestrian improvements,
transit connections, and other mobility hub
improvements can be supported .
State Resources
Most state funding is through the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and is
allocated for tolled and non-tolled highways .
However, TxDOT and the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) offer a
few funding programs eligible for active
transportation projects in Texas .
Promote Culture110 Design Downtown Denton
TxDOT - Transportation Alternatives Set-
aside (TA) Program
Type: Competitive
Fund Uses: Planning and Construction
The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside
Program and its predecessor programs are
competitive funds meant to support stand-
alone bicycle and pedestrian projects . The
TxDOT-administered program addresses
planning and construction of bicycle and
pedestrian improvements that improve mobility
options for active transportation modes .
TxDOT - Education and Safety Grant
Programs
Type: Non-competitive
Fund Uses: Education and Safety
As part of TxDOT’s Highway Safety Plan,
federal grant funding is available to a variety
of organizations and levels of government
for implementation of education and safety
programs that reduce fatalities, injuries, and
crashes . These non-competitive funds are
available only for strategies that help educate,
monitor, and report on bicycle and pedestrian
safety .
TxDOT - Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
Type: Competitive
Fund Uses: Planning, Capital, and Operations
The SRTS program is a comprehensive
competitive grant program that provides
funding for planning, development, and
implementation of projects and programs that
improve safety, comfort, and access for children
grades K-8 to get to school to walk or bike to
school . This includes education and awareness
campaigns, traffic, fuel consumption, and air
pollution reduction .
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 111
Promote Culture112 Design Downtown Denton
Establish a Downtown Brand4F
Downtown Denton boasts a vibrant identity
deeply rooted in its arts and music scene, rich
history, unique architecture, and quirky charm.
This distinctive personality is reflected in the
lifestyle of Dentonites, who celebrate their
community through art, merchandise, and
events. To enhance Denton’s reputation as an
exceptional place to live, work, shop, play, and
learn, a cohesive branding strategy is essential.
This brand should effectively communicate
Denton's unique character to visitors and
potential new residents while help them
navigate to their destinations and discover what
Denton has to offer nearby.
The Case for Action
Downtown Denton has multiple iconic
landmarks such as the Denton County
Courthouse, the Morrison's Milling sign, and
the Campus Theater, unique businesses for
food, drink and shopping, and the historic
Quakertown Park . These landmarks should be
easily identified as Downtown Denton and help
provide a cohesive and singular sense of place .
Right now that cohesion is lacking, due to a
deficiency of visual connection between these
landmarks . Visitors to Beer Alley may not feel
they are within walking distance of the Square .
A cohesive brand marked by signage, banners,
and wayfinding can support walkability by
connecting these unique features in one area .
Branded Wayfinding positioned in key parking
areas can also help people move more easily
between their car and desired destinations .
Proposed Actions
• Release an RFQ to develop a brand
strategy and design including logo, colors,
wayfinding, and signage led by local artists
with input from Economic Development and
Downtown Stakeholders . Branding should
be colorful, vibrant and attractive, being
consistent with the personality of its people,
events and businesses .
• Use branding in wayfinding signage that
directs to businesses, universities, parks and
historic features throughout Downtown .
• Identify pathways and trails that can have
plaques, signage, or other features that tell
the history and story of notable groups and
features of Downtown Denton and their
impact on the city, such as:
• Black Americans
• Native Americans
• Music History
• University History
• Growth of Denton History
• Public Art Walk
4F Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE1, AE2, AE3, AE4, AE5
Bike & Pedestrian
BP1
Culture
C1, C2, C3, C4
Retail & Commercial
RC1, RC3
Traffic & Transit
TT2
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
AE
TT
BPRCC
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 113
Logo and Design Examples
Existing Branding & Wayfinding
Existing wayfinding is not part of a cohesive brand for Downtown
Denton and does not provide enough clear and specific
information to support businesses or walkability. Image Source:
Mend Collaborative
Wayfinding Examples
Banners Examples
• Develop a policy for branding requirements
specifying limitations on the use of
branding elements such as logos, slogans,
copyrighted designs, and other brand
features .
• Integrate the branding of visual components
with the Public Art Plan, Denton Square
District, and other design standards and
guidelines .
• Review the brand guidelines annually with
Economic Development and Downtown
Stakeholders to ensure consistency as
Downtown develops .
• Update Sign Ordinance, and banner and
signage programs .
• Develop unique branding for Quakertown
Park and surrounding blocks, highlighting
the historic park .
• Integrate University branding into
wayfinding and banners, highlighting UNT
along Hickory and Sycamore Streets and
TWU along Bell Avenue and Locust Street .
• Look for funding for improvements from
Texas Commission on the Arts, which
identified the Original Denton District as a
cultural district in 2019 .
Promote Culture114 Design Downtown Denton
Establish a Public Improvement District4G
Successful Texas downtowns typically maintain
a wide variety of organizational tools, each
with different statutory abilities and funding
mechanisms that can be utilized in tandem to
achieve an overall vision for the community. A
Public Improvement District (PID) is a special
district created by a city or county to fund public
improvements and services within a designated
area. Establishing a PID would provide
Downtown Denton with a more robust set of
tools and dedicated funding to finance projects
that enhance the downtown area's quality of
place.
The Case for Action
Downtown Denton currently has Denton Main
Street, which is a part of a state and national
Main Street Program, a Texas Cultural District,
and a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ),
each providing valuable assets for implementing
Design Downtown Denton . However, due to
Denton's population growth, these tools do not
offer all the statutory abilities that a growing city
of Denton's size may need .
Three types of Texas districts were analyzed
for Downtown Denton: a Public Improvement
District (PID), a Municipal Management District
(MMD), and a Municipal Development District
(MDD) . While each of these entities is similar,
their establishment processes and funding
sources vary slightly . An MMD would allow the
use of sales tax for economic development but
would require reallocating funds from DCTA,
making it less preferable . PIDs and MMDs are
very similar, but ultimately, a PID was identified
as the candidate that would provide the city with
the greatest amount of control .
Proposed Actions
PIDs are established through a petition
process initiated by property owners, followed
by formal approval from the city . At least 50%
of the property owners within the proposed
district, or the owners of 50% of the land
within the proposed district, must sign the
petition . This requirement ensures significant
support among the property owners who will be
affected by the PID before it is created . Given
Downtown Denton's small lot sizes and variety of
ownership, this is no small task . While this report
provides a goal for the area to be contained
within the PID, the process of acquiring
signatures may alter the final boundaries of the
district .
The city should begin by approaching large
landowners . It is important that the city has
ready information regarding the amount of
additional taxes that individual owners would
pay, the cumulative amount of funding that
would be generated, and the activities that could
be funded through the district . The city should
consider utilizing the same board structure
for the PID as is used for the TIRZ, allowing for
better coordination in their actions .
AES
RC4G Priorities Served
Arts & Entertainment
AE1
Retail & Commercial
RC1, RC2, RC3
Safety
S1, S4
See the community priorities on page 18 for more information.
Promote CultureDesign Downtown Denton 115
Proposed PID Boundary
Proposed PID Boundary
MAP LEGEND
Oakland St IOOF Cemetery
DCTA line
DCTA Rail Trail
Sycamore St
Chestnut St
Prairie St
Highland St
Maple St
Eagle Dr
W Hickory St
Oak St
Greg St McKinney St
Parkway St
Congress St
Egan St
Panhandle St Locust StElm StUniversity Dr
Bolivar StCarroll BlvdN Bell AveD
a
l
l
a
s
D
r
Mill St
E Prairie St
E Sycamore St
E Hickory St
Mingo RdFrame StNorth Pecan Creek
Pecan 4Pecan Creek
Fred Moore
Park
Oakwood
Cemetery
Mulberry St
Bell AveTWU
Locust StElm StE Oak St
5 Plan
Implementation
Plaza on the Square Rendering
117 ImplementationDesign Downtown Denton
Introduction
The Downtown Denton Master Plan requires a refresh
to steer growth over the next decade . This update
focuses on enhancing parks and open spaces, parking,
housing, mobility, connectivity, and preserving existing
neighborhoods and historic sites . The new plan aims to
leverage Downtown’s strengths, honor its history and
character, and create an even more enjoyable living
environment .
The recommendations and actions outlined in the plan need
thoughtful implementation and prioritization . This will help
the City make decisions on actions to take to further the
goals of the plan .
Plan Implementation 5
Prioritizing what
should happen first .
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Exploring opportunities to
bundle incentives .
Image Source: Mend Collaborative
Unlocking funds such as tax
rebates for qualified hotels .
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Unlocking FundsBundling
Incentives
Prioritizing
Actions
118Implementation Design Downtown Denton
Prioritizing Policy Recommendations
Policy-related recommendations also were
prioritized based on whether other projects
are dependent on that particular policy action .
A timeline range was assigned to the policy
recommendation . The below table shows this in
more detail .
Implementation of Economic
Development Tools
Implementing Denton’s new Downtown Master
Plan will require the City to move quickly to
establish additional revenue sources, and new
and expanded programs to use that revenue
to move Downtown forward . In addition,
expenditure of funds for implementation of
the plan must balance three different types of
projects:
• Construction and maintenance of
public infrastructure and public realm
improvements
• Incentives for business owners
• Incentives for property owners and
developers
Policy Recommendation Lead
Department(s)
Timeline
4E | Expand TIRZ ED Year 1
Other Recommendations
Are Dependent On These
4G | Establish a PID ED
3B | Encourage Downtown Living ED, DS, PID, TIRZ
Year 5
4A | Utilize Policy and Regulation to Support Music and Nightlife*ED, DS, PID
4C | Expand Programs to Support Small Businesses ED, DS, MSA, PID, TIRZ
3D | Adopt Public Realm Guidelines and Zoning
Recommendations
DS
4E | Expand on other Economic Development Tools ED
3C | Strengthen Historic Preservation Opportunities DS Complete As
Opportunities Arise3E | Pursue Opportunities for Transformative Projects ED, PID, RE
4D | Expand on Events PID, MSA, PR
*4A | Hire Night Major ED, DS, PID
This portion of the implementation section
prioritizes the economic development tools
identified in the Design Downtown Denton Plan
and articulates steps required to use those
tools effectively in order to implement the plan
over the next several years . The City does have
a number of other economic development tools
available citywide that might also be used,
including a sales tax rebate on construction
materials, utility improvement reimbursement,
and a reduction in electrical demand charges .
Department Key
Development Services DS
Parks and Recreation PR
Economic Development ED
Engineering Services ES
Streets Division SD
Real Estate RE
Capital Improvement Projects CIP
Public Improvement District PID
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone TIRZ
Main Street Association MSA
Greater Denton Arts Council GDAC
Denton County Transportation Association DCTA
119 ImplementationDesign Downtown Denton
Priority 1 (Year 1)
The top priorities focus on establishing
additional revenue sources and clarifying how
those additional revenues will be used .
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone:
Boundaries, Revenue, and Use of Funds
The Downtown Plan calls for an expansion of
the boundaries of TIRZ #1 . Along with the TIRZ
expansion will come an increase in revenue
and a need to create a new Project Plan that
identifies eligible projects and allocates funds
among different purposes .
The new Project Plan should include:
• Expanded boundaries - phased approach
if applicable
• Clarification of timeframe (longer
timeframe)
• Projected revenue
The City should also clarify use of TIRZ funds,
considering the following questions:
a. Will TIRZ funds still be used for Downtown
Reinvestment Grants and 380 Agreements?
b. Will TIRZ funds be used for a new low-
interest loan program?
c. Will TIRZ funds be used to incentivize
private development and if so how?
d. What public realm improvements and
public infrastructure will be paid for with
TIRZ revenue?
e. How should TIRZ revenue be divided among
all these goals?
f. Should the City bond against TIRZ revenue?
Public Improvement District
The City should also move quickly to create a
Public Improvement District (PID) for the core
part of Downtown .
The City should:
• Determine the boundaries of the PID
(which must win the support of both most
property owners and most of the assessed
value inside its boundaries) .
• Develop PID revenue projections for the
coming years .
• Determine what activities can be paid for
with PID revenue . Activities that might be
covered by PID revenue could include:
a . Ambassadors/safety programs
b . Marketing and events
c . Public realm maintenance
Catalyst Fund
The City has recently revamped some of its
economic development incentive revenues
into one fund called the Catalyst Fund . The
Downtown Plan recommends setting aside a
certain percentage of the Catalyst Fund for
Downtown projects . The City should determine
what percentage of the Catalyst Fund should be
set aside for Downtown and what those funds
should be used for, perhaps focusing especially
on the Entrepreneur Tech Program . If Catalyst
Funds citywide are intended to support major
projects, the City may want to consider using the
Downtown Catalyst Funds to incentivize large
private development projects that will “catalyze”
transformation of Downtown .
120Implementation Design Downtown Denton
Catalyst Projects –
Initial Planning and Underwriting
The Downtown Master Plan includes a series
of catalytic developments that have been
identified due to their strategic locations and
ability to generate synergies in use and activity
that may “seed” the larger plan goals . These
include new development that better connects
downtown to Quakertown Park across McKinney
Street, forming stronger urban gateways
between Carroll Blvd and the downtown square
area through urban infill, forming a southern
development district on the land reclaimed out
of the floodplain around the new park space,
forming a connection from the Square eastward
through the current vacant parcel, and infill
development around the Wells Fargo tower .
Many of these projects require private
investment through the commercial real estate
industry to be implemented, and some of
these developments may have an economic
gap between present market conditions and
the City’s desired outcomes that must be filled
for the private development marketplace to
advance . There are common areas where the
various implementation tools available to the
City can be utilized to help close such gaps
including the partial funding of shared parking
garages, the funding of required infrastructure
and streetscape enhancements around key
private developments, and writing down the
cost of particular uses the City desires where
appropriate .
To advance such projects, there is initial
economic development work the City should do
which includes prioritizing the developments,
clarifying and detailing the prioritized
development concepts, and communicating
the opportunity to the marketplace . With this
as context, the following outline may be used to
advance such developments .
• Identify any city-controlled obstacles
impacting the potential implementation of
each project, and devise strategies for how
the City can remove said obstacles
• Prepare simple vision statements for each
catalyst project with supporting technical
data including what the City is willing to
do in order to remove potential obstacles,
this should include a simple financial gap
analysis
• Identify existing land owners within
each catalyst project area and arrange
meetings to discuss their potential interest
in participating in such implementation,
either as principal, through land
transaction, or in partnership with a
developer
• Research similar projects in the North
Texas region that have been implemented
within the previous 10 years, and build a list
of the developers that completed this work,
with the goal being 5-10 developers per
project type
• Hold informal discussions with these
developers to present the information
prepared on the projects deemed well-
suited to their experience, and gauge their
interest in advancing forward with the City
• Identify 2-3 projects and coordinate
meetings between related willing land-
owners and developers
121 ImplementationDesign Downtown Denton
Priority 2 (Year 1-3)
Priority 2 items focus on setting up longer-term
revenue sources and setting up or highlighting
tax-related incentives that individual property
owners can take advantage of independent
of the City . Denton will still need to maintain
and move forward the funding mechanisms
mentioned in Priority 1 .
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
The PACE program allows property owners
access to low-cost financing for energy and
water conservation improvements . The city
should make an agreement with the Texas
PACE Authority to set up the opportunity for
Downtown property owners . Given the Economic
Development Director’s experience with the
PACE program, this could be a Year 1 priority if
the ED Department has the capacity to execute
it .
Historic Tax Credits
The City has two generous Historic Tax Credit
programs that few Downtown property owners
have taken advantage of – one focused on
“designated” historic structures and the other
focused on “significant" historic structures . The
City should promote the use of both Historic Tax
Credits Downtown, especially in combination
with other possible incentives and programs .
Affordable and Mixed Income Housing Tax
Exemptions
The City recently established a Public Facilities
Corporation, which will allow the City to
partner with developers on affordable and
mixed-use development projects by providing
a property tax exemption . The City should
identify developers and projects that could take
advantage of this opportunity as part of the
effort to add 1,500 housing units Downtown in
the next decade .
Parking Benefit District
As part of the Downtown parking management
effort, the City should create a Parking Benefit
District that will collect revenue from the paid
parking spaces that are created . At least part
of that revenue should be returned to the
Downtown for use there .
Small Business Benefit “District”
One innovative idea that emerged from the
Downtown Plan process was an informal
“district” that would allow small businesses
downtown to obtain such benefits as lower
insurance rates, common back-office HR and
payroll services, and so forth . Possibly with a
nonprofit partner, the City should pursue the
creation of such a “district” for the benefit of
Downtown businesses .
Catalyst Projects – Project Selections
Work with the private development teams
established during the underwriting phase to
explore specific needs to advance, including
the potential filling of reasonable economic
gaps in order to finalize these developments for
implementation .
122Implementation Design Downtown Denton
Priority 3 (3+ Years)
Priority 3 items focus on very long-term
efforts, such as efforts that facilitate private
development projects that will take several years
to come to fruition .
Use of City Land
The City’s land on McKinney Street is an
extremely valuable economic development
asset, allowing the City not only to incentivize
new development if necessary but also, as
landowner, to identify and direct specifically
what type of development is desired . In
combination with the Quakertown Park plan
and possible relocation of City offices, the
City should use City-owned land strategically
to incentivize the most important desired
development . Due to the proximity of the park
and municipal facilities, the City may consider
the following strategies to accomplish the vision
for this area set forth in the Downtown Plan .
• Explore the economic benefit that
the contribution of land to a private
development that achieves the public
goals outlined in the Plan
• Explore the use of a shared parking
garage that serves both public and private
uses in order to reduce the cost of both
development types
• Explore the use of the implementation
tools identified in this section to achieve
the desired development type and quality
for this strategic location
Qualified Hotel Project
Denton desires a boutique hotel Downtown .
If such a hotel is located within 1,000 feet of
meeting space totaling 10,000 square feet or
more, it can qualify for state sales and bed tax
rebates . The City should consider including a
hotel in the McKinney Street redevelopment and
using the Qualified Hotel Project tax rebate as
part of an incentive package to make the deal
work .
New Market Tax Credits
New Market Tax Credits provide private
businesses and developers with equity by
offering tax credits that can be sold to private
investors . The tax credits are only available in
certain disadvantaged locations, but Downtown
Denton qualifies . The funds can be used for a
wide range of projects, including retail, market-
rate and affordable housing, office buildings,
and community facilities . Although most entities
offering tax credits are community development
entities, local governments can qualify . The City
of Denton should qualify as an entity offering
New Market Tax Credits and identify the projects
best suited to use such tax credits .
HUD 108 Loan Guarantees
The City should identify critical Downtown
projects that could qualify for HUD 108 loan
guarantees and identify CDBG recipients
that could assist in bringing this financing
mechanism into key Downtown deals .
123 ImplementationDesign Downtown Denton
Proactive Implementation Efforts
In the past, the City has taken a largely
demand-responsive approach to incentives
for Downtown improvement, often using
economic development incentives in isolation
from one another . For example, the Downtown
Reinvestment Grant program has funded one-
off improvements based on applications from
property owners and business owners .
Where possible the City should take a more
proactive approach to economic development,
bundling incentives together to increase the
likelihood that the Downtown Plan’s goals will be
achieved . This bundling can be done differently
depending on the different entities to which the
incentives might be targeted including current
Downtown business owners, startup business
owners, current Downtown property owners, and
developers seeking to add new buildings and
spaces to Downtown .
For example, current Downtown property owners
seeking to upgrade their older buildings might
bundle a Downtown Reinvestment Grant, an
Historic Tax Credit, and a PACE energy and
water conservation upgrade .
Similarly, current Downtown business owners
might bundle a Downtown Reinvestment Grant,
a low-interest loan (under a program yet to be
created), and participation in the informal Small
Business Benefit “District” that could reduce
operational costs .
Developers as well could benefit from bundled
incentives, especially as the City seeks to
redevelop its own property along East McKinney
Street and/or encourage development in the
southern part of Downtown .
For example, if the City pursues major
redevelopment along East McKinney, it could
bundle together a wide variety of incentives,
including TIRZ funding for public improvements,
city land at a below-market price for a parking
garage and private development, Qualified Hotel
Project tax rebates for a hotel in close proximity
to meeting space, and New Market Tax Credits
to provide low-cost equity for either commercial
or residential parts of the project or both .
In southern downtown, TIRZ funds and New
Market Tax Credits could be combined, possibly
with additional financing from the city’s
Catalyst Fund, in order to make a project work .
In either case, TIRZ funds and Parking Benefit
District funds could be used for public realm
improvements that would complement private
development .
In each of these efforts, the City would be taking
a more proactive role than it has historically
utilized to see the Plan goals realized . And
while such proactivity may include providing
economic gap funding, it may also simply
take the form of the City brokering ideas and
relationships between private interests around a
desired common goal .
124Implementation Design Downtown Denton
Prioritizing Project Recommendations
The recommendations were prioritized by:
• The level of community support,
• The overall cost, and
• Whether the recommendation depends on
or catalyzes another project .
The below table outlines this in more detail and
assigns a timeline range for each of the projects .
Project Recommendation Lead
Department(s)
Timeline
2B | Create New Park on the Square PR, RE Years 1-5
1B | Pilot Denton Chill Streets CIP, DS, ES
1A | Re-stripe Bell and McKinney SD, DS
2G | Develop a Public Art Plan for Downtown PR
1D | Improve Transit DS, DCTA
2A | Initiate Implementation of the Quakertown Park Plan PR
2D | Complete small improvements like lighting, trees and art DS, ES
4F | Branding and Advertising, Wayfinding Plan and Historic
Interpretation
PID, MSA, PR
3A | Develop Southern Downtown ED, DS, RE Years 6-10
1C | Improve Bike Connections DS
2C | Improve Utilization of Alleys PID, PR
2B | Other Pocket Park Improvements PR, PID
1A | Rebuild Carroll Boulevard CIP, DS, ES, PID, TIRZ
2D | Redesigns that upgrade streets for closures for festivals
and events
CIP, DS, ES, PID, TIRZ
2E | Develop a new park in Southern Downtown PR, RE
2F | Partner with County to improve Historic Park DS Years 11-15
4B |Develop an Arts Center ED, RE, CIP, PID, TIRZ,
GDAC
4D | Gateway Monuments PID, TIRZ, DS, PR
Department Key
Development Services DS
Parks and Recreation PR
Economic Development ED
Engineering Services ES
Streets Division SD
Real Estate RE
Capital Improvement Projects CIP
Public Improvement District PID
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone TIRZ
Main Street Association MSA
Greater Denton Arts Council GDAC
Denton County Transportation Association DCTA
125 ImplementationDesign Downtown Denton
126Implementation Design Downtown Denton
Implementation of Economic
Development Tools
Tool Location and Purpose
Public Existing Private New Private
Tool
Priority Revenue Source Clean & Safe / Ambassadors Public Infrastructure Public Realm Improvements Support for Existing Downtown
Businesses
Support For Commercial
Property Owners
Support for Residential
Property Owners
Incentivizing New Commercial
Development
Incentivizing New Housing Support for Startups Based
Downtown
TIRZ 1 Tax Increment ••••••
380 Agreements 1 TIRZ ••
Downtown Reinvestment
Grants
1 TIRZ •••
Low Interest Loans 1 TIRZ •
Public Improvement
District
1 Property Assessment •••
Catalyst Fund 1 Variety of citywide sources ••••
PACE 2 Property Assessments •
Historic Tax Credits 2 Property Tax Exemptions ••
Affordable Housing Tax Exemptions 2 Property Tax Exemptions •
Parking Benefit District 2 Parking revenue ••
"Small Business Benefit District"2 Business Owners ••
City Land 3 City Land Equity •••
Qualified Hotel Project 3 State Sales and Bed Tax
Rebates •
New Market Tax Credits 3 Federal Tax Credits •
HUD 108 Loan Guarantees 3 Community Development
Block Grant Funds ••
Tax Abatement (Ch.312 of the Texas Tax Code)Existing Tax Abatement ••
Sales and Use Tax for Construction Existing Tax Rebate •
Water/Wastewater Utility Line Fund Existing Reimbursement ••
Economic Growth Rider Existing Reduction in electrical
demand charge •••
Tourism Public Improvement District Existing Property Assessment ••
127 ImplementationDesign Downtown Denton
Implementation of Economic
Development Tools
Tool Location and Purpose
Public Existing Private New Private
Tool
PriorityRevenue SourceClean & Safe / AmbassadorsPublic InfrastructurePublic Realm Improvements Support for Existing Downtown
Businesses
Support For Commercial
Property Owners
Support for Residential
Property Owners
Incentivizing New Commercial
Development
Incentivizing New Housing Support for Startups Based
Downtown
TIRZ1Tax Increment••••••
380 Agreements1TIRZ ••
Downtown Reinvestment
Grants
1TIRZ •••
Low Interest Loans1TIRZ •
Public Improvement
District
1Property Assessment•••
Catalyst Fund1Variety of citywide sources ••••
PACE2Property Assessments •
Historic Tax Credits2Property Tax Exemptions ••
Affordable Housing Tax Exemptions2Property Tax Exemptions •
Parking Benefit District2Parking revenue••
"Small Business Benefit District"2Business Owners ••
City Land3City Land Equity•••
Qualified Hotel Project3State Sales and Bed Tax
Rebates •
New Market Tax Credits3Federal Tax Credits •
HUD 108 Loan Guarantees3Community Development
Block Grant Funds ••
Tax Abatement (Ch.312 of the Texas Tax Code)ExistingTax Abatement ••
Sales and Use Tax for ConstructionExistingTax Rebate •
Water/Wastewater Utility Line FundExistingReimbursement ••
Economic Growth RiderExistingReduction in electrical
demand charge •••
Tourism Public Improvement DistrictExistingProperty Assessment ••
Design Downtown Denton