Wednesday during their annual meeting in central Texas, The Texas Downtown Association presented Sulphur Springs City Manager Marc Maxwell the Susan H. Campbell Award for Professional Excellence. It is the top award presented by the Association.
Maxwell said he was honored to be recognized for the development of downtown Sulphur Springs. Maxwell credits a book, The Art of City Making, for the drive behind the local downtown development. He stated that a city should not experience their city in only a physical way but in an emotional way as well. He said they should feel an attachment to their city and love their city. He stated that when he read that philosophy, he immediately thought, “If you love the people, make the magic.” He said creating the magic has been the endeavor with all that has been done downtown from the flowers, glass bathrooms, to silly crosswalk signs and other items of note.
Maxwell credited a cooperative city council that may disagree but always works together and personally remain friends. He stated the city staff also fills their role with consistent effort to meet the needs in developing a positive city environment.
Maxwell said that filling the buildings is the next step downtown but now planning will expand from the downtown area. The city’s comprehensive plan will soon be reworked. He said public involvement is the key to expanding the plan for the city. He believes the downtown area has assisted in developing a better self-image for the city.
