Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott Welcomes Buda Downtown In Main Street Program

Over the years Buda has taken a number of steps to bring increased life and investment to downtown, including the creation of the local historic district and Historic Preservation Commission and the establishment of the Downtown Buda Merchants Group.

Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott officially welcomed Buda into the Texas Main Street Program on April 18, 2017.  

Buda became a Texas Main Street city on January 1, 2017, and is proud to be one of 89 cities statewide with the prestigious designation from the Texas Historical Commission.  The Texas Main Street Program is a revitalization program for historic downtown and neighborhood commercial districts.  

“Main Street communities represent the best of what the state has to offer,” said Cecilia Abbott, Texas First Lady. “Buda’s commitment to historic preservation is apparent. 

Deep in the heart of Downtown Buda is where the Texas Main Street Program begins. The goal is to revitalize historic downtown and neighborhood commercial districts.

“It gives us access to a toolbox we didn’t have access to before,” said Todd Ruge, Buda Mayor. “We’ll be eligible for grants that we weren’t eligible for before. Not only are we going to end up with a beautiful downtown, it’s going to be an economic engine for the city.”

“The benefits for Buda speak for themselves. Last year alone our 89 currently designated Texas main street communities reported more than 205 million in public and private reinvestment in Downtown. The creation of 2-thousand jobs and 408 small businesses,” said John Crain, Vice-Chairman of the Texas Historical Commission.

During the Main Street Dedication Ceremony, the First Lady of Texas unveiled what that success could look like with this rendering from the Texas Main Street Design Staff.

Mayor Todd Ruge says it’s really up to Buda how we move forward with the Texas Main Street program. 

“You get what you put into it, you really do. And with the kind of people we have in Buda this is going to be a major success.”

During the Main Street Dedication Ceremony, the First Lady of Texas unveiled what that success could look like with this rendering from the Texas Main Street Design Staff.

“The design transforms one of the oldest remaining buildings in town by rebuilding the canopy and reopening the storefront windows,” said Abbott. “These changes will honor the history of the building while also making it function better for current businesses. Buildings like this, along with its neighbors showcase the city’s charm and potential for new life.” 

Over the years Buda has taken a number of steps to bring increased life and investment to downtown, including the creation of the local historic district and Historic Preservation Commission and the establishment of the Downtown Buda Merchants Group.      

With the Texas Main Street program in place, the future of Downtown Buda is looking even brighter. 

“I’m looking forward to not only the beautiful designs and the revitalization but more eating options, more shopping options,” said Ruge.

The City of Buda’s Main Street Advisory Board is working on implementing Buda’s Main Street Program strategy to revitalize downtown in the areas of design, promotion, events, organization and economic vitality in an effort to lay the foundation for a vibrant downtown.

The Board is seeking community input via a survey to learn more about the community’s needs. The survey officially launched on Saturday, April 8 and will continue through May 8. Community members and visitors can find the survey online at www.downtownbuda.com.

In addition to questions related to Downtown Buda, the City is seeking input on the current facilities that house City Hall, the Public Library and City Annex building and the future of those facilities once the Municipal Complex is completed. 

For more information about the Buda Main Street Program, call 512. 523.1075.

You can watch the Main Street Dedication Ceremony in its entirety here: Entire Main Street Dedication Ceremony 

Public Information Officer David Marino also put a story together on the Texas Main Street program.