Main Street Program

The Main Street Program creates a vibrant, multiple-use, pedestrian-friendly environment in the traditional commercial district, thereby increasing economic vitality and saving historic buildings that make up the character and heritage of a community.  As a Texas Main Street community, Elgin provides free design assistance for property and business owners, technical training, promotional events, and volunteer recruitment and management to implement economic development in the context of historic preservation. 

Main Street is a national approach to saving our heritage by preserving historic downtown areas. The Main Street Board operates from a 4-point approach. These 4 points are Design, Economic Restructuring, Promotions, and Organization.

Main Street
What is Main Street? Main Street is a city's Historic Downtown District. Elgin's Historic Downtown District includes 14 city blocks of commercial and industrial buildings. Most of these buildings are constructed of locally produced brick and were erected between 1872 and 1947. Since 1990, private property owners, business owners, and the public sector have invested approximately $12 million in the downtown area. The Elgin Main Street Program provides a variety of assistance to building owners.

These buildings are occupied by a variety of businesses from banks and insurance to retail and restaurants. Check out the Downtown Shopping Guide for places you can visit and watch our Community Calendar for a variety of events promoted by the Main Street Program. 

Business Assistance
The Main Street Program and the Elgin Economic Development Corporation provide a number of assistance programs to encourage investment and redevelopment in the Historic Downtown District.  Learn more about available Business Assistance Mega Grants and Facade Assistance.
Additional Assistance
Adopt a Spot
The adopt-a-spot program is sponsored by the Main Street Board to beautify Main Street and Elgin. This program is designed to help you and your neighbors play an ongoing role in maintaining an area that needs a little extra attention. Find out how you can participate!

 Texas Main Street City
Elgin became a Texas Main Street City in 1990, and since 1999, is a Nationally Accredited Main Street City through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Properties in the district may be eligible for State and Federal Tax Credits.

Recognition for Excellence
The efforts of Elgin Main Street have earned it recognition for excellence in the field of downtown revitalization. The recognition is based on strict criteria such as: broad based public support, historic preservation ethic, active board of directors, adequate funding, a paid professional manager and reporting of economic progress by providing statistical information. The program's performance was evaluated by Texas Main Street Center, which is the statewide coordinating organization for Main Street programs in Texas.

Kennedy Smith, director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Center said, "The people of Elgin should be proud of their achievement in their program's development, and maintain their commitment to downtown revitalization."

Program Success
The Main Street program has been successful in Texas due in part to a partnership between, Texas Main Street Center and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street Center. Elgin is one of several communities in Texas that have met the criteria. Says Smith, "These elite programs represent some of the finest community initiatives and some of the most successful revitalization efforts that exist in this country."

Main Street Board
The Main Street Board promotes downtown revitalization through the Main Street Four Point Approach and hosts the Hogeye Festival as well as various events and activities throughout the Historic Downtown District. Classes and seminars are also provided to business owners to help them with things like marketing, website design and more. Board Members are appointed by City Council and serve two year terms.