Andrew J. Pompei, AICPSenior Regional Planner
Houston-Galveston Area Council
13 Counties134 Cities
6+ Million Residents
Current State of Downtowns
Huntsville, TX
Columbus, TX
Challenges
Aging Buildings
Underutilized Properties
Lack of Organization
Opportunities
Interest in Small-Town Living
Attracting Retirees
Heritage Tourism
Bringing Back Main Street
Workshops
Technical Assistance
Guidebook
Components of Revitalization
Community-Based Vision
Before making significant investments, communities should create a clear vision of what they want their
downtown to become.
Engage Stakeholders
Determine Assets
Conduct Market Analysis
Attractive Streetscapes
Creating an attractive, pedestrian-friendly streetscape creates a favorable perception of the area,
encouraging visitors to spend time downtown.
Pedestrian Improvements
Landscaping Lighting
Street Furniture
Façade Improvements
Public Art
Attractive Streetscapes
Attractive Streetscapes
Attractive Streetscapes
Attractive Streetscapes
Variety of Uses
Having a mix of uses attracts visitors throughout the day, creating a vibrant environment.
Many communities encourage
shops and restaurants to open on street level,
with offices and/or
residences on upper floors.
McKinney, TX
Effective Marketing
Communities should clearly articulate their brand.Marketing efforts should draw attention to unique assets that differentiate the community from other
places.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL SUPPORT
FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
Sup
po
rtiv
e R
egi
on
al P
rogr
ams
Community Enhancement Grants
Livable Centers Program
RevitalizationRoundtables
Local Support
Rosenberg, TX Friendswood, TX
ANDREW J. POMPEI, AICPSenior Regional Planner
Houston-Galveston Area [email protected]
www.h-gac.com