By Moses Leos III

A program that brought the Texas Pie Company’s iconic cherry pie façade to downtown Kyle is making a comeback.  

With a $100,000 budget, the Kyle Downtown Business Revitalization Program seeks to help bolster downtown development. 

“When this program was established, there wasn’t much [in downtown Kyle] to begin with,” Diana Blank-Torres, Director of Economic Development in Kyle said. “It was to generate interest in downtown. Now that things are taking off, it’s time to consider spreading that area.” 

The program’s origins date back to 2005. The goal is to spur traffic by revitalizing the exteriors of downtown structures. At the time, Historic City Hall and the Texas Pie Company generated the most traffic. 

The program focuses on providing matching grants to business owners after they’ve completed work. 

Prospective applicants must meet specific goals and criteria.  City council ultimately approves how much is funded, with $25,000 as the maximum. Applicants are required to turn in invoices and cancelled checks, with the city evaluating the work prior to reimbursement. 

Blank-Torres said the process carried over, with changes made to reflect tweaks in the overlay districts. 

Since its inception, the program has helped improve the façade of what is now the Dark Horse Tavern and the Texas Pie Company. 

Small businesses were targeted for the help to refurbish the exteriors of existing buildings in downtown. Only businesses that have a capital investment of $1 million can apply. 

“It’s more of a risk to make that investment than to retrofit a building,” Blank-Torres said.  

Up until 2009 the program was funded by the city. However, it wasn’t until planning for the fiscal year 2015 budget did the city find appropriate funding. The program, which held over $50,000 last year, received an additional $50,000 from the general fund.  

Kyle councilwoman Samantha Bellows-LeMense recalled the success it brought. But the downturn in the economy forced the city to forgo funding. 

With the project back on the radar, the recovery and possible expansion is a step in the right direction for smaller businesses. 

Harboring a similar thought process was councilwoman Diane Hervol, who is also on the Kyle Economic and Tourism Committee. The importance of the program, according to Hervol, is improving downtown livability and attractiveness. 

She hopes the program brings innovative facades to the downtown district. 

“The biggest thing is to create more of an attractive and inviting place to come, whether you’re going downtown to eat, or for entertainment,” Hervol said. “It’s going to be inviting to whomever.”   

Thus far, two applicants have applied for the grant program. One of those is business owner James Rios, who looks to open Desperados Dance Hall at 110 West Center Street. 

His project will include “significant” exterior improvements, which total $38,000. The Kyle Economic Development Committee approved Rios for 50 percent reimbursement. It will go to city council on Oct. 8. 

Rios said the program helps preserve historic buildings in downtown. He said it’s important for small businesses, as they don’t have to compete for funding with “big box stores.” 

“If it’s to preserve and beautify old buildings and to make them more appealing, then I’m all for it,” Rios said. 

Boosting the visage of downtown, not only now but in the future, is what Blank-Torres believes will be accomplished with the program. She hopes to expand the reach of the program to beyond the Central Business District 1 and 2 corridor. 

While the program will utilize taxpayer funds, Blank-Torres said the benefit outweighs the cost. She hopes it quickly catches on, to where other downtown business owners take part. 

“In order for people to take a true interest, it has to be attractive and viable,” she said. “And at the same time, you’re increasing our tax rolls because you’re improving property that’s down here already.”

Goals for the program 

• Must improve attractiveness of commercial properties in Central Business District (CBD) 1 and 2. 

• Support and promote start -up efforts of new and developing business in CBD 1 and 2

• Promote restoration and maintenance of historic commercial buildings. 

Criteria 

• Must meet CBD 1 and 2 guidelines for exterior work

• Being visible to the public

• Ensure a documented cash investment is made

• The project is invoiced and completed within 90 days; invoices and cancelled checks must be turned in within 60 days of job completion