Victoria Receives ‘Main Street’ Funding

Victoria is fortunate enough to have a beautiful downtown area, and it's about to get even more beautiful. Through the 'Main Street' program there is $35,000 available.

Downtown Victoria could get a facelift thanks to a $35,000 transfer to the Main Street facade grant program. The Victoria Advocate reports, in a 5-1 vote Tuesday, the Victoria City Council approved the transfer from the hotel and motel occupancy tax fund. The money was unspent funds given to the Main Street program during the last fiscal year. Because they were unspent, Main Street was eligible to have the funds reallocated. Councilwoman Denise Rangel said she was confident the vote would pass. Councilman Gabriel Soliz maintained his no vote from the ordinance's first reading, and Councilman David Hagan was absent.

Rangel said the next step is posting and preparing applications for businesses to receive funding to restore their building's facades. "We've got some momentum downtown, this will move things forward," she said. She wants to start awarding applications "as soon as possible."  Mike Sigg, Main Street manager, said any building in the Main Street area would be eligible, so long as it would likely be entered by a tourist - law offices are not eligible, but restaurants and speciality shops are.

You have a perfect opportunity to enjoy downtown Victoria Thursday evening at the street dance. See ya' there.