"Historic" Downtown Brownwood

Wednesday February 16, 2005
Op Ed
Another milestone for downtown

At the heart of any city is its downtown business district, and the heart of Brownwood is on the verge of moving from something great to something incredible.

More recent residents of this city -- and that would include most people age 60 and under -- are surprised when they see photographs of Center Avenue from World War II, when over 100,000 troops were stationed at Camp Bowie and people literally flooded the streets and sidewalks.
Crowds of that magnitude may never be seen again, but a strong mix of quality merchants has allowed the downtown area to maintain a strong economic factor in this community.
Downtown Brownwood Inc. marked its 40th year during the annual membership banquet Tuesday night, and some of the accomplishments of the past and opportunities for the future were highlighted. With the prospect of additional national retailers looking at moving to this county, the next several years could bring another round of major change to the shopping mix. But the downtown businesses in partnership with the City of Brownwood are poised to determine their own destiny through planned development.
Those plans are not only important to the storeowners who are involved and affected, but also to the community as a whole. The most vibrant small municipalities are the ones with a strong downtown base, with a compelling combination of reasons to shop, dine, tour and visit. Those elements are quickly coming together in Brownwood's central business district.
Through the years, Downtown Brownwood has been affected by the economic cycles all of rural Texas has experienced. Meanwhile, the overall retail environment in the region has changed drastically. Yet downtown's position as an important location for stores, meetings, offices, restaurants and historic sites remains strong. Meanwhile, another important ingredient -- residential sites -- is targeted for future development.
At Tuesday's Downtown Brownwood Inc. banquet, reference was made to the period from the 1960s to the 1980s as the glory years," and those days were recalled fondly during a retrospective part of the program. But we're convinced another generation of downtown merchants will look back at this time in history as the beginning of a new era of "glory years," and celebration will continue.
Brownwood Bulletin

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2005/02/16/op_ed/editorial01.txt


Wednesday February 16, 2005

Downtown merchants mark 40 years

By Gene Deason -- Brownwood Bulletin
Photo by Gene Deason -- Brownwood City Manager Gary Butts, left, received a special award of appreciation Tuesday for his work with Downtown Brownwood Inc. in recent years. DBI President Jessie Hamilton made the presentation.  

Members of Downtown Brownwood Inc. roared with laughter Tuesday night at tales from years past, but they also heaped praise on those involved in much more recent projects which have revitalized the central business district.

Brownwood City Manager Gary Butts, who has announced he will retire next month, received special recognition for spearheading the City of Brownwood's efforts in cooperation with downtown property owners.
"I starting listing the projects Gary has worked with us on just in the last six or seven years, and it's mind-boggling," outgoing DBI President Jessie Hamilton said in presenting Butts with a large plaque of appreciation. She listed beautification projects around the Depot, downtown gateways, Center Park, the Carnegie extension, the downtown master plan, facade improvements and last year's successful "streetscape," to name a few.
But that came after a program featuring the recollections of downtown businesswomen Johnnie Beth Pitts and Mary Jane Sanford, who were among those who helped start Downtown Brownwood 40 years ago. With the narrative of Executive Director Eric Evans, they related various humorous stories along with other memories which went back to Camp Bowie days. Brownwood Mayor Bert Massey, who served as master of ceremonies, sat in on the panel in the absence of a third panelist unable to attend, Pat Arthur Cox.
Hamilton paid tribute to her board of directors and to the City of Brownwood in her remarks.
"We were truly amazed with your efforts and hard work," she said. "We had a magnificent impact on the central business district."
Massey, speaking on behalf of the city staff and council, offered thanks to "all of you who are in business in downtown Brownwood for your understanding and perseverance during the Center Avenue project. Others around the state marvel at how this was able to come about."
Bill Fishback, DBI second vice president, handed out awards in three categories. The City of Brownwood won Best Public Facilities Project for the streetscape of Center Avenue. Wilson Cleaners was named Best Facade Renovation. Hamilton's was honored for Best Complete Renovation.
Other officers serving with Hamilton, whose terms expired Tuesday, are Don Martin, vice president; Tammy Nance, secretary; Gene McCartt, treasurer; and Jodie Blanton, past president. The new year's officers were to be elected at a board meeting after the banquet.
Also serving on the board were Mike Blagg, Brenda Goodwin, Wayne McCrane, Ruth Pierce, Bob Pritchard, Reed Smith, Cody Stone, Mary Stanley and Jane West.

source: http://www.brownwoodbulletin.com/articles/2005/02/16/news/news03.txt

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