HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-026 Denton Main Street UpdateApril 10, 2026 Report No. 2026-026
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Creation of the Denton Main Street Advisory Board Update
BACKGROUND:
Since 1990, the City of Denton has administered a Downtown Development Program, using the National
Main Street methodology, in conjunction with the Texas Historical Commission. The Program emphasizes
downtown economic revitalization through preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings in order to
provide the necessary image for the Downtown area and serve as a unifying factor to encourage area
merchants and building owners to reinvest in Downtown.
On January 16, 2026, staff provided an Informal Staff Report regarding Board & Commission background
including new board proposals. Creation of a Main Street City Board was recommended. The Main Street
Advisory Board is the City’s contractual relationship with Main Street America and the Texas Main Street
Program. These agreements are held directly by the City, not by outside nonprofit entities. When the Main
Street Manager position was moved under City management, the City became contractually obligated to
establish and maintain an official Main Street City Board. Creating this Advisory Board ensures compliance
with program requirements and aligns oversight with the City’s operational responsibilities for the Main
Street Program. With the proposed formation of the Main Street Advisory Board, the City is able to provide
a consistent governance structure that supports Downtown revitalization efforts.
DISCUSSION:
The City has continually maintained the contract with the Texas Main Street Program under the Texas
Historical Commission. From 2019 through May 2023, the administration of the Main Street program was
managed by the Denton Main Street Association Executive Director, for the 501(c)(6) organization. The
city provided $100,000 to support funding the Executive Director. In 2023, in anticipation of the Design
Downtown Plan and to better align program implementation with City-led Downtown initiatives, the
decision was made to transition the Main Street Manager position back under the City’s administration. Per
the Texas Main Street Contract, City staff must maintain a Main Street Advisory Board to ensure alignment
with Texas Main Street Program requirements and City governance practices.
In addition, the Texas Main Street contract highlights the responsibilities of the participant and local
program:
A. Shall employee a full-time paid program manager
B. Denton qualifies as a Texas Main Street Urban City, and shall additionally employ a full-time
assistant program manager
C. Shall establish and maintain a Main Street local advisory board to:
1. Direct priorities of the program
2. Provide human and fiscal support to program planning and activities
3. Advocate for the livelihood of the program
D. Program Manager will attend at least two professional development opportunities in their entirety
E. Carries out their Local Program work according to the Main Street Approach as promulgated by
the National Main Street Center and displayed here at The Main Street Approach | Main Street
America
F. Agrees to incorporate into their Local Program work, the following Main Street Community
Accreditation Standards:
April 10, 2026 Report No. 2026-026
1. Broad-based Community Commitment
2. Leadership & Organizational Capacity
3. Diverse and Sustainable Funding
4. Strategy-Driven Programming
5. Preservation-Based Economic Development
6. Demonstrated Impact & Result
G. Shall track reinvestment statistics and report quarterly activities
H. Submit an annual accreditation report
I. Shall budget for and maintain membership in the National Main Street Center
CONCLUSION:
Economic Development staff is assisting the Denton Main Street Association and the Downtown Denton
Foundation with the Downtown Denton Foundation’s acquisition of the Denton Main Street Association.
The Downtown Denton Foundation will be positioned to continue supporting Downtown through events
such as crawls, First Fridays, and similar programming. The new City of Denton Main Street Advisory
Board will focus on supporting the Downtown business community through the accreditation standards.
The City will collaborate with the Denton Foundation to establish scope of work plans that allocate
responsibilities.
STAFF CONTACT:
Kristen Pulido
Main Street Program Manager
Kristen.Pulido@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-7531
REQUESTOR: Staff Initiated
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 3
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Economic Development