City’s Main Street Project receives 2015 National Accreditation

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Eagle Pass City Manager Gloria Barrientos acknowledged the City of Eagle Pass’ Main Street Program and its director, Joe Cruz, for receiving national accreditation during the Eagle Pass City Council special meeting held on Thursday, February 24, 2015.

Barrientos stated that the Texas Historical Commission had commended the City of Eagle Pass for its successful progress on being designated a National Main Street community.

“We are one of sixty to be recognized this year. The Texas Main Street Center keeps track of our progress via reports that we must submit monthly, quarterly and annually. Mr. Cruz has done an excellent job not only running the Main Street program, working out there but also taking care that this reports are submitted on a timely basis. On our annual report we received a score that determines if we qualify for national accreditation,” said City Manager Barrientos.

Barrientos stated that the highest possible score was a 105. “In 2012, the Texas Main Street Program gave the City of Eagle Pass a score of 60. In 2013, a score of 90 and now in 2014 we scored a 96,” added Barrientos.

“I would like to congratulate Mr. Joe Cruz and the Main Street Board for their enthusiastic dedication and hard work on this project and also to thank the council for their support on this project,” said Barrientos.

Barrientos stated that over the last few years they have been able to fix 19 facades, a total of $274,000 in public and private re-investments and in 2014 over $1,700,000 in private re-investment in downtown real estate, the revival and renewal of the Fort Duncan Museum, nine residential units and six new businesses in the city’s historical area.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu commended Mr. Cruz for his dedication and hard work. “We have come a long way and you have been a great driving force behind that. I know that the board has done a tremendous job in making sure that the program continues,” said Cantu.

Mayor Cantu also thanked City Planner Bryan Shea for assisting and being a part of the work that is being done on the Main Street Project. Shea has also contributed to its success together with Cruz.

The Main Street program in Texas began in 1981 as one of the first state coordinating programs in the country. Local Main Street programs focus on responsibly utilizing a community’s historic assets for economic benefit and to increase quality of life. During fiscal year 2014, more than $120 million was reinvested into Texas’ 89 Main Street districts. Additionally, 352 small businesses and 1,091 jobs were created. Main Street programs in Texas are staffed, but rely on community volunteers to carry out the program.