Main Street is the main attraction these days in Sulphur Springs as the old downtown road is inundated with the splendor of new life and streetscape ambiance that is attracting both shoppers and prospective business owners.

The four-month-long project called for a revamping of the street which began in June after two years of planning, and included a new brick street surface, sidewalks, period lighting, benches, a water feature and about 20 Magnolia and Red Oak trees that line the way. "This is the heart of our community" said City Manager Marc Maxwell. "The self-image of any town is based on the heart and soul of a community, and that is the downtown area." According to Maxwell, when he came on board as the city's manager, tackling the issues of the downtown district was something he absolutely did not want to do.

"It's such a big issue and so hard to fight the tidal wave of urban sprawl,"

he said. "When you think of development, America is one big shopping center after another. Overcoming urban blight in the downtown area is very difficult, but it became clear that we had to do something."

After decades of decline, the City Council and downtown merchants, who had formed a Downtown Business Alliance, were ready to move forward with plans for recertification as a Texas Main Street City, a program Sulphur Springs had been involved with in years past. Maxwell thought this was a huge mistake and said he was dead set against it. "All that program brings to the table is strings," he emphasized. "They don't provide any money that you can't get from another grant program or somewhere else."

At this point, Maxwell volunteered his service as coordinator, promising to "jump in with both feet because they needed an advocate and quite frankly, when the merchants jumped on board and were so excited about it, they really got me fired up and got things rolling."

Funded out of capitol construction money, the estimated cost of the project was $487,000. Some of the little extras included synchronized lighting set to music that plays 24/7 from state-of-the-art speakers, automated underground irrigation and spray misters for the trees, shrubs and flowers, flagpole holders at the edge of the street, and even milk can trash disposals, an appropriate touch for the Dairy Capital of the World.

One reason for excitement...business is booming! Main Street merchants agree that the revitalization of the downtown district is the best thing that's happened to Sulphur Springs in a long time. According to Maxwell, as an incentive to owners, 50/50 grants are available that will match up to $20,000 for the renovation of store fronts. As for the rest of the improvements downtown, a tax increment financial district has been created to fund the remaining revitalization project with Connally Street next on the list followed by the square itself.

According to Maxwell, buildings are now selling for two and three times their assessed value and he projects that eight million dollars will be generated over the next 25 years.

With aesthetics in place, success of the district falls now to programming: flea markets, concerts, movie nights, theater, parades, rallies, competitions, ceremonies and a whole slew of fun and games are being planned for the community to enjoy. "Ultimately, the goal is that people know something is going on downtown, consistently. The may not know what it is, but they can count on something happening every weekend," states Maxwell.

Future plans already include a Main Street Farmer's Market that takes place every Saturday (http://sulphurspringsfarmersmarket.com/), two new restaurants, a sports bar, boutiques, and possibly an organic food store. "We'd love to see a bakery an ice cream parlor, maybe a candy store," says Debbie Layton of Main Street's General Store.

Maxwell admitted that it has been a lot of hard work, but very rewarding to see it all come together. "It was an enormous undertaking, but looking back, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way and I'm proud to be a part of it."

Come visit Main Street...You're Gonna Love this Place!!!