How to Get Started as a New City

Any Main Street city or Certified Local Government city can now join DowntownTX.org. There is no additional cost to your city – it is another benefit of participating in the Texas Historical Commission’s programs. Here are the steps to follow.

1. New city consults with Texas Main Street staff on data available, project partners, and long-term maintenance. New city provides basic information using the checklist below.

New city data checklist:

  • Any building inventory information that is currently available to your Main Street program (ideally you should have a list with current name, historic name, site address, ownership and year built).  

  • An export from the county appraisal district data for your downtown district (includes parcel ID/tax ID, ownership, legal description, assessed/appraised values, building square footage and parcel acreage).

  • A zoning map and link to your zoning ordinance that describes uses allowed.

  • A list by address of historic designations in your district (local, state and National Register landmarks and districts).

  • Boundary maps for all downtown districts (Main Street, historic districts, TIRZ, etc.)

2. Texas Main Street staff creates the “dashboard” for the new city.

TMSP creates your administrative site, also called the “dashboard.” This is accessible by log-in, but it is not yet publicly viewable. It is important to understand that as this time your inventory is established and it includes all parcels and buildings in your downtown district. TMSP uses the parcel data to enter ownership, address, tax id/geo id numbers along with the provided historic designations, zoning, and boundaries. TMSP also uploads the most recent Google streetview image.

3. New city assigns a project manager to do a training.

A local project manager, likely this is you, is assigned by your city to complete a training. This is required and can be completed through a series of videos, an online Go-To meeting, or in-person. Once you have completed the training, you can now start working on your dashboard. Volunteers are encouraged, but the Main Street Manager should limit access until they have a solid working knowledge of the site and can train others.

4. Project manager finishes adding essential data to the dashboard so the site appears complete for the public.

After the training, there is more data entry work to be done so your site appears complete for the public. TMSP will review your information before launching or "going live."

Required before launch:

  • One current high quality photo per property.

  • Property availability (for sale/for lease).

  • Community profile (narrative on community page). This should be written to feature downtown as an investment opportunity, not a tourist destination.

  • 5-10 photos for the community page that convey the best qualities of your downtown. These should be professional quality. Often the CVB, your local tourism group, or local newspaper can provide these.

  • Incentives and downtown development process information as attachments or links on the community page.

Recommended before launch:

  • Photos over time and historic photos.

  • Brief building descriptions/histories in the “About this Property” field if already written; for example, the descriptions included in a walking tour brochure.

5. New city launches their site!

You are encouraged to complete a “launch” event, where you publicize your inventory on DowntownTX.org to your local real estate and downtown development community. The Imagine the Possibilities Tour is held annually in May for National Preservation Month and in October for favorable weather conditions.

6. New city commits to maintaining their site.

It is expected that you will continue to maintain and update your site regularly. Below is a list of items to consider over time. Also, see the hand-out “How to Make DowntownTX.org a Success.”

  • Continue adding current and historic property photos (photos that show changes over time and historic photos are strongly encouraged). We recommend walking your district once a year and completing a photo inventory to be added to the site.

  • Continue adding brief building descriptions/histories in the “About this Property” field.

  • Complete the lease space/business inventory.

  • Maintain and update availability information as needed.

  • Add historic resources survey information (with assistance from THC staff).

  • Appraisal district information is planned to be updated annually by THC staff.

  • And when in doubt, consult the Resource Library for additional information, FAQs, and training videos.

Download this as a PDF

How To Get Started on DowntownTX.org PDF

Back to DowntownTX.org overview.