President's Awards

The winners of the 2009 President's Awards Program of the Texas Downtown Association (TDA) were announced November 5 in Tyler at an Awards Gala held at the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden. The Awards Gala was held in conjunction with the Texas Downtown Revitalization Conference, an annual event sponsored by the Texas Downtown Association and the Texas Main Street Program. Since 1998, more than 100 projects, events and people in Texas downtowns have received statewide recognition through the awards program.

Judging for the awards took place in Austin. The distinguished jury panel included the following representatives: Linda Johnson, L.S. Johnston Architects, Austin; Susan Lassell, Chiang, Patel & Yerby, Austin; Josh Lasserre, Texas Historical Commission, Austin; Patricia Sharpe, Texas Monthly, Austin; and Sherri Zeitman, What's the Big Idea?, Plano.

TDA is a statewide nonprofit organization comprising more than 400 members involved in more than $1 billion in downtown revitalization projects. By fostering development and revitalization, TDA strives to enhance the economic vitality of Texas downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts by providing resources, networking opportunities, education and advocacy. For more information visit www.texasdowntown.org.

Following is a list of all award winners and category descriptions:

Best Commercial Interior
Recognizes excellence in merchandising, customer orientation, and/or business functionality in an office or retail setting.

fancy that!, Brenham
Submitted by: City of Brenham Main Street Program
In a downtown with more than 40 shops and restaurants, fancy that! owner Susan White has set her shop apart by magically weaving together an eclectic mix of merchandise that includes year-round Christmas ornaments, home décor, gifts, fashions, books and music. The feast inside begins on the street. The building is bright yellow with black-and-white trim and red doors. Waving flags and wind chimes entice shoppers inside. There, they journey through distinct shopping areas in the store's three major rooms. Lighting sets the mood, but also showcases various product groups. Dried lavender, fragrant candles, oils and incense adds ambient aroma to the overall shopping experience. Items like draped fabrics, scarves and chandeliers masterfully optimize spaces. Shoppers are pulled not only into the store, but throughout it as well and the store's tagline: 'can't tell ya, gotta show ya!" accurately describes the experience. Judges commended the store for its customer-orientation and inviting layout.

Best Renovation/Rehabilitation
Recognizes excellence in rehabilitation (i.e., renovation or remodeling) of interior or exterior of an existing building.

Brazos Valley Decorative Center, Bryan
Submitted by: City of Bryan
The rehabilitation of the 1947 modernist International Harvester Building is another example of the public-private investment that continues to preserve buildings and revive business activity in Bryan's central business district. Since the building has had few owners throughout its history, many original elements and details remained in place. The metal canopy was in good shape and brick facades only required minor repointing and cleaning. A historian and paint specialist were brought in to help return the true International Harvester colors to the building. Signage for the new tenant mimics the style of 1950s International Harvester dealerships. The new building owner researched mid-century landscape design and incorporated it with eco-friendly landscaping. The rehabilitation of this building at the south end of downtown helps enhance one of downtown's gateway corridors. The building was financed in part through the city's Downtown Improvement façade grant program. Judges noted this project for keeping the interior industrial feel and effective use of space.

Best Restoration
Recognizes excellence in restoration of interior or exterior of an existing building.

International & Great Northern Railroad and Passenger Depot, Rockdale
Submitted by: Rockdale Historical Society
A project of the Rockdale Historical Society, the 1906 railroad depot restoration and its contemporary use as a museum allows the community to celebrate its railroad heritage and has returned an important local structure to life. Remodeling over the years included exterior yellow paint and removal of the cupola. After being turned over to private ownership once railroad ownership ceased in 1970, the depot was used for a while to store feed. The restoration included reconstruction of the cupola and fitting historic glass into broken windows. Interior and exterior colors meet original specifications. The project received financial assistance from organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Texas Historical Commission (THC), and the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce along with considerable local in-kind contributions. The depot is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, has a THC subject marker and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Judges commended this project as "a great anchor recaptured for the community."

Best New Construction
Recognizes excellence in new construction in downtowns or commercial districts.

1407 Main/Third Rail Lofts, Dallas
Submitted by: Good, Fulton & Farrell
The judges found this project impressive for the "great rhythm" between new construction and historic neighbors. This project includes restoration of the 1920s Gulf States building, renovation of a mid-century modern building and a newly constructed building. The end result is a single complex representing various expressions of architecture and a truly pedestrian-friendly block. Additionally, the project provides 370 public parking spaces. The newly constructed 1407 Main Street building has 84 for-rent apartment units and an 11,000 square-foot amenity deck with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, fire pit, dog run and cabana. Inside is a fitness center and multi-use room overlooking the pool. The other buildings connect to the amenity deck via stairs. 1407 Main improves a former surface parking lot. Besides architectural dimensions, the project also has sustainable features: deck landscaping vastly exceeding city open space code, rainwater filters, features to reduce heat island effects and solar heat gain and apartments served by efficient systems exceeding LEED standards.

Best Adaptive Reuse
Recognizes excellence in adaptive reuse, which is the conversion of existing or underutilized buildings into new uses such as residential and live/work spaces.

Moore Grocery Lofts, Tyler
Submitted by: Tyler Main Street Department
Though listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 1913 Moore Grocery building had been abandoned for decades. Targeted by vandals and a 'squatter's delight,' citizens feared the building would be demolished. Ultimately, it would become a preservation tax credit project that would convert both the Moore Grocery building and the one next door into downtown housing. There are 88 apartments in the buildings of one- to three-bedroom units. Due to pre-leasing, all units were under contract within one day of completion and a waiting list remains today. This helps to strengthen the argument that people are interested in living downtown. The historic warehouse spaces retain exposed brick interiors and heavy timber framing. Amenities for residents range from on-site laundry and fitness room, along with after-school programs for kids and special events like movie nights. Through this project, Downtown Tyler has reaped the reward of new life for old buildings and new opportunities for the people who live in them.

Best Public Improvement
Recognizes excellence in public projects and planning in downtowns or commercial districts.

Discovery Green, Houston
Submitted by: PageSoutherlandPage
Discovery Green is an 11.78-acre park in downtown Houston around the convention center that was previously dominated by large public facilities and parking lots. It has been open since April 2008. The goals of the project were to create a world-class urban park, provide convention and tourism amenities, help reshape downtown's east side and involve citizens in the park's planning and design. Sponsors included private philanthropists, the City of Houston, Central Houston Inc. and the Conservancy. The project includes the park, a garage, restaurant, library reading room, free Wi-Fi and public art. Thoughtfully linked green spaces are integrated with art, porches, decks, terraces and outdoor rooms. Flexible spaces can accommodate many varied activities for individuals as well as groups. During its first year of operation, over 700,000 people have visited. More than $1 billion in development in the area has been a direct or indirect result of the park's existence.

Best Marketing Program
Recognizes excellence in marketing of downtown or commercial districts.

Goodman Museum Movie Project, Tyler
Submitted by: Tyler Main Street Department
TDA Awards judges commended this project for its ancillary promotion of an emerging local industry-filmmaking. Former home of Civil War surgeon W.J. Goodman, who lived there for 72 years, the property was Tyler's first building on the National Register of Historic Places. There was a desire to honor the Goodman as it reached its 150th birthday. Additionally, a modest income stream was needed to help with the house museum's upkeep. The house had been bequeathed to the city by the Goodman's daughter in 1939. Furnished with original belongings of the family, an idea was hatched to create a movie about the Goodman, which could also be used to tell history and stories of Tyler and East Texas. The professionally produced video was completed under the supervision of the city's communications department and the Goodman curator. The project is accomplishing its goals of reintroducing the property to longtime citizens, while introducing it to newer citizens and tourists and providing a source of income to maintain the museum.

Best Promotional Event
Recognizes excellence in creation and execution of downtown or commercial district promotional event, including festivals.

Hot Nights, Cool Tunes Summer Concert Series, Brenham
Submitted by: City of Brenham Main Street Program
This series, listed in Austin Monthly as one of the "Top109 Fun Things to do in the Summer," was originally begun without much success in 2004. Revamped, it became highly successful. Historical accounts recalled a time when citizens would come downtown to hear the community band play. This was the basis for creation of this free concert series throughout the summer that features different genres of music. The goals are to draw people downtown in hopes that they will create great memories and make downtown Brenham a part of their everyday lives. Some stores stay open late during the series or host special events in conjunction with it. Running four to five weekends during the summer, estimated attendance each evening is 3,000 and has grown consistently. Special activities have been added that raise funds for downtown improvements such as benches and trash receptacles. More than 1,000 volunteer hours have also been dedicated to Hot Nights, Cool Tunes.

Best Downtown Business
Recognizes a local private or civic organization that positively impacts the community and actively contributes to the revitalization efforts of the downtown or commercial district.

Discovery Science Place, Tyler
Submitted by: Tyler Main Street Department
Discovery Science Place has many of the attributes of a 'best' business in downtown. It has been a destination in downtown Tyler for 15 years and has been recognized by Parents

Magazine as one of the nation's top 25 science museums. Discovery Science Place converted a former automobile dealership into an interactive science museum for children, adding to the effective revitalization of downtown with an adaptive reuse. The museum brings people downtown on a regular basis - approximately 60,000 per year. Not only do local individuals, corporations and schools support and participate with the museum, but the museum also serves a 28-county area. Through cross-marketing, the museum visitors also patronize other downtown businesses. Staff of the museum, such as the museum executive director who serves on the Main Street program's board, is active in Tyler's downtown revitalization efforts. Through its many activities and programs that make it a destination, Discovery Science Place also gives families a very real connection to downtown.

Best Downtown Partner
Recognizes an exceptional downtown business that positively promotes the downtown or commercial district as a destination for locals and tourists alike, and actively participates in the revitalization efforts and supports downtown promotional events.

City of Tyler
Submitted by: Tyler Main Street Department
The City of Tyler has long supported downtown redevelopment, even prior to the community's entrance into the Main Street Program in 1990. During the time the Main Street Program was managed through the Heart of Tyler, Inc., a non-profit, the city invested more than a half-million dollars into the Main Street effort through special projects funding, in-kind materials and labor and partnership projects. Through the Tyler 21 comprehensive master plan, with downtown as a central focus, the city and Heart of Tyler partnered on a major project that resulted in the city's purchase of the vacant Liberty Theater and the East Texas Symphony Orchestra's move downtown. The city has also created a Tax Increment Financing zone along the same borders as the Main Street district, invested $1.6 million for land to bank for targeted new uses and has partnered with Heart of Tyler on a "Half Mile of History" project. From these and other projects, the city has set an example as a true partner and visionary leader for downtown revitalization.

Judge's Special Recognition - Downtown Business
Judges have the discretion to award special recognition to single entries or categories of entries to honor them for specific merits that may fall outside of the parameters of the award categories. These 2009 recipients from a single community, all family-run businesses, are recognized for their long-time contributions to the business environment in the border city of San Juan.

Martin Drug Company
Submitted by: San Juan Economic Development Corporation
Martin Drug Company is considered a fixture of the San Juan downtown community. Located in downtown San Juan for over 90 years, the pharmacy has been at its current site since the 1960s. Owner Javier Garza set an example for other downtown businesses when he decided to move forward with a recent renovation of his building rather than move to a new location.

Mr. Garza added new fixtures to the building, created a fresher design for a more convenient shopping experience and changed the rugged façade of the exterior. He and his employees have demonstrated continued support and commitment for downtown revitalization efforts, which was recognized by the judges panel when they selec ted the business as a finalist in this category.

Garza Café
Submitted by: San Juan Economic Development Corporation
Founded in 1943 by Josefa G. Garza, Garza Café is still in its original location in downtown San Juan and is a family-owned business that has continuously been run by a member of the Garza family. Today, the business is run by Josepha's daughter Alicia Salinas. It is open six days a week and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, quite an impressive schedule for a small Texas town. The store and owner participate in many community events and supports many local causes, including the March of Dimes and the San Juan Downtown Summerfest. With its longstanding association between family, food, tradition and community, Garza Café has greatly impacted not only the city of San Juan but the revitalization of downtown as well.

Downtowner of the Year
This award recognizes a person who has shown exemplary commitment to the downtown revitalization program through time given, resources and leadership. The downtown has been positively impacted and the community inspired by the guidance, dedication and determinations of this individual.

Howard Dudley
Submitted by: Downtown Cleburne Association
The entire community of Cleburne, and especially its downtown, has been greatly impacted by Howard Dudley. In addition to renovating and restoring many buildings in the downtown area, he has also been responsible for initiating and supporting several new downtown businesses. Through a generous contribution made by Mr. Dudley to Hill College to purchase a building, the college will soon have a new downtown branch. His donations to the Plaza Theater and his active renovation of the vacant Western Auto Building provides a first-class theater for the Cleburne community as well as a permanent home for the theater. Mr. Dudley's was also the driving force in the renovation of the historic Liberty Hotel and the History of Cleburne mural. His work also extends to new construction and office, restaurant and retail spaces for downtown Cleburne, including The Wright Plaza, The Caddo Street Grill and The Renfro Building. Many of the historic properties were dilapidated prior to his acquisition and renovations of them. The community has previously named Mr. Dudley Citizen of the Year for his efforts and he was featured for his many contributions in the May-June 2009 edition of Community Life, a lifestyle magazine covering Johnson County.

Past award winners