OUR TURN: Committee could offer fresh start for Main Street
A new day could be dawning for Marble Falls’ historic Main Street, but nothing substantial will happen without public input and cooperation.
Specifically, the City Council Monday night authorized the creation of a master plan committee to develop new ideas and strategies to pull Main Street out of the economic doldrums and make it a centerpiece of the Marble Falls’ tourism trade.
There is no reason why Main Street in Marble Falls can’t offer the same amenities and Hill Country atmosphere as Llano’s downtown Square or the main drag in Fredericksburg or even Boerne.
Indeed, Marble Falls’ Main Street has just as much, if not more, going for it, including several watering holes, beautiful shops, art galleries and ready access to both Lake Marble Falls and Lakeside Park, which includes Lakeside Pavilion.
A solid plan that stresses sound principles to attract businesses and visitors to Main Street could also elicit possible support from a hotel chain or tourism companies that see the benefits of partnering with Main Street merchants to bring customers to the crown jewel of Marble Falls.
But it will take a commitment from citizen-volunteers who have something substantial to offer, other than just opinions about who’s right and who’s wrong.
Marble Falls is a great place to live. The people are friendly, the setting is picturesque and the atmosphere is cosmopolitan, yet still small-town and relaxed.
But does the city really have anything to recommend itself as a consistent, must-see destination? Sometimes that doesn’t seem to be the case. That could change for the better, depending on the plan drafted by the committee.
They won’t have any quick fixes, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, either. The master plan project — a spinoff from the recently approved city comprehensive plan — is designed to create a 20-year outlook for the Main Street district. It could take a year to develop, and the committee could start meeting next month.
The council’s vote came less than a month after leaders voted to deny a request by Main Street merchants to extend alcohol-sales hours to 2 a.m. each day, a change from current rules that call for the taverns to stop serving alcohol at midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. Saturday. Some Main Street business owners said the measure was needed to keep the downtown district financially viable. The request was turned down, 4-3, with opponents on the council saying an extension of bar hours would sully Marble Falls’ family friendly atmosphere.
We disagree with that view, which is just not business-friendly. The Historic Main Street Association also unsuccessfully asked the Economic Development Corp. for a $20,000 allocation to fund a staff position, with the primary emphasis to keep the Main Street initiative active.
Obviously there are many sides to this issue, including the views of other merchants across town who feel that perhaps Main Street is getting too much attention and could reap some rewards not available to other city sectors. The committee, made up of a diverse group of people, could help bridge those gaps and encourage positive community feedback.
The group will include members of the former comprehensive plan committee along with city staffers, downtown business owners, entrepreneurs and residents. There could be financial benefits from having a master plan in place, such as grants the city might not otherwise qualify to receive.
The real test is the resolve of the committee itself. The volunteers who sign up should come to the table ready to work for the good of Main Street, unburdened by any agendas other than to make Marble Falls a premier tourist destination. They must not have any axes to grind, only a willingness to cooperate and help Main Street advance economically and culturally.
The River Cities Daily Tribune editorial board includes Dan Alvey, Amber Alvey Weems, Thomas Edwards, Chris Porter and Daniel Clifton.