City Receives 2016 Texas Municipal League Excellence Award for City Spirit

During the Texas Municipal League 104th Annual Conference and Exhibition, at the Austin Convention Center on October 4-7, the City of Sulphur Springs was presented the 2016 Municipal Excellence Award in the City Spirit category for cities under 25,000 in population. The award recognizes the city for its downtown Celebration District.

City Manager Marc Maxwell said, “Everyone recognized what we already knew, we have a great downtown.” Maxwell and members of the city council are in Austin attending the annual Municipal League Conference.

The video below, produced by

Less than ten years ago, the City of Sulphur Spring’s downtown district suffered from high vacancy rates.  Today, the district has transformed into a bustling center of economic and social activity through thoughtful design, vision, and investment.  To accomplish the transformation, the city hired experts to help re-brand the city and revive the downtown area.  To encourage private investment, the city offered façade grants and installed three communal grease traps.  Many retailers and restaurants have located in the downtown district and more are on the way.  At the heart of the new downtown district is Celebration Plaza, which hosts numerous activities and events each year.  The Sulphur Springs Celebration District redevelopment project has brought new life to the entire community—building community pride as well as attracting new residents and businesses.

The Texas Municipal League is a voluntary association of 1,150 Texas cities. Its primary objective is to serve the needs and advocate the interests of Texas cities. The City of Sulphur Springs is a member of the Texas Municipal League.

The video below, produced by KSST videographer Doug Haston, was submitted to show the dramatic changes made to the downtown area during the transition.

 

Author: Staff Reporter

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