Main Street

In 1977 the National Historic Trust developed the Main Street Program to address the decaying traditional commercial districts across America. The advent of shopping malls, highway bypasses, and changing consumer trends in the 1960s and early 1970s led to a mass exodus of these downtown districts, with the buildings being boarded up and falling into disrepair.

Program Goals

The program goals are to restore the buildings and revitalize the downtown economy. There are over 1,600 Main Street cities in the United States, and 90 of them in are in Texas, overseen by the Texas Historical Commission. The Main Street Program offers member cities guidance in historic preservation and renovation, economic development, and architectural assistance.

Livingston Main Street was recognized as a 2022 Accredited Program by Main Street America and Texas Main Street for meeting the standards of performance in 2021.

Livingston Main Street 2022 Accredited Certificate

Main Street District


Livingston was accepted as a Main Street City in 2005. The Livingston Main Street District consists of 10 blocks in the downtown area, bounded by:
  • Beatty Avenue
  • East Abbey Street
  • East Calhoun Street
  • North Jackson Avenue
  • North Tyler Avenue
  • West Church Street


Program Offerings / Incentives


The Livingston Main Street Program offers building and business owners incentives in the form of:
  • Foundation and Roof Repair
  • Infrastructure Repairs
  • Painting
  • Upgrades
  • Matching Grants for Façade Restoration
Other incentives include:
  • Design Assistance
  • Low Interest Loans
  • Permit Fee Waivers
  • Promotion of the Downtown Area
  • Tax Abatement

Since 2005, the Livingston Main Street Program has disbursed over $200,000 in grants and incentives benefiting buildings in the Main Street District. This money was raised solely through local fundraisers. No state or federal funds are used in the Main Street Program.

Main Street Advisory Board Agendas
Visit the Agenda Center for Recent Agendas
 

Additional Information


For more detailed information on the Livingston Main Street Program and its activities, please see the City's Annual Report (PDF) or visit the Main Street Facebook Page.