JANUARY 2008

Downtown 2007 Review

Message from Executive Director

First sheep comes home

The artistry of Concho Christmas

Book of art

Unique Nativity scene displayed downtown

Downtown San Angelo, Inc. Membership Listing

Downtown 2007 Review

By Lucie Hofheins

The Economic Restructuring Committee led by Chairman Bob Stribling, proudly announced the adoption of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. Unanimously adopted by the City of San Angelo Council and Tom Green County, the Zone encompasses 1314 acres which include downtown and the North Chadbourne/North Bryant corridor.

Utilizing 2006 as the tax base year, City and County taxes generated by any property value added above the base year appraised value will be retained by the Zone.

The Zone will have its own Board of Directors to oversee the zone’s activities. Some of the special programs that could be funded within the Zone:

1. Historic facade preservation
2. Parking facilities
3. Streetscapes and sidewalks
4. Roadways
5. Environmental remediation such as asbestos removal
6. Parks and open spaces
7. Utility infrastructure

Additionally, this committee conducted information seminars throughout the year providing details on façade improvements, downtown real estate development, tax credits and new market credits.

A variety of activities were coordinated throughout the year by the Promotions Committee. Chairman Brenda Gunter along with the Organization Committee led by Lee Pfluger, conducted another successful membership drive in early March. DSA successfully increased its membership.

Spring promotions included the Annual Car Show with more than 50 entries, and the merchants city-wide “Girls Stylin for Girls” style show, which benefited the Concho Valley Home for Girls. These events brought large numbers of visitors to the downtown area.

Art In Uncommon Places revealed Alleyscapes phases 2 & 3. The “Cat Burglar” metal sculptures in the Secret Garden, located between theWells Fargo Bank and State Farm Insurance Buildings on Beauregard, and “Art Opens Doors” 215 South Oakes were offered as continuing displays of unique creativity of local artist groups.

Art-Ober-Feast events offered in October numerous fun-filled activities including:

• Sheep Spectacular, Public Art Project
• "Sheep on Parade"
• Miss Wool Contest
• Miss Wool Pageant memorabilia display
• Shepherd's Shindig, dinner and a concert/dance
• Downtown Merchants Sale-a-Bration highlighting North Chadbourne
• Central High School ceramic sheep art

The “Walk Through Time” banners recognizing history of downtown property, and the way-finding signs depicting areas for shopping, dining, entertainment, etc. are in place through the efforts of the Design Committee headed by Brenda Gunter and Howard Taylor. These banners provide not only a lesson in San Angelo history but help to beautify the downtown area. Flags sponsored by various organizations will be placed on the Oakes Street Bridge in early 2008.

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Message from Executive Director

Del Velasquez

The 2008 roadmap is set and the goals and mission of our organization are in place for us to move forward in making a difference for our downtown Main Street district. As you review the newsletter, you will read about the projects and events accomplished in 2007 and the impact we have created for our city.

Due to the leadership of the Board of Directors and the diligent work of Lucie Hofheins, we begin the year as a 2008 National Main Street City. These efforts and recognition all play an important role in developing a foundation for another year of accomplishments for San Angelo.

One of the key reports submitted quarterly to the Texas Historical Commission is the Reinvestment Summary of the downtown area. This report provides us a look at the investments being made under the Main Street zone. The good news is that during the months from October through December, 2007 we have experienced an increase in both the Private Sector Rehabilitation investment and the Private Sector Buildings and Property Sold compared to the same period in 2006. The Private Sector Rehabilitation investment in 2006 during this quarter had five projects with total expenditures of $999,500. During 2007 the same quarter there were seven projects totaling $3,330.500. The Tom Green County Appraisal District reported that in 2007, four properties sold for $6,955,000. All of this is to say that our work is having an impact towards developing a vibrant downtown area.

The Façade Grants have made a major impact towards improving the look and feel of downtown. Remarkable makeover is taking place both on the North and South ends of Chadbourne Street. Also, making a difference are the “Walk Through Time” banners which have provided not only a historical prospective but a pleasing aesthetic welcoming to the city.

My hope is that all of you had a great holiday season and I look forward to a prosperous and progressive 2008.

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First Sheep comes home...

Part of the sheep art project is to permanently place each fiberglass figure in a permanent location. The Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers’ Association is first to place theirs at 233W. Twohig.

Artist Raul Ruiz, designed and painted the entry entitled “Wool Ewe Remember” and she now proudly stands on a very large rock donated by the B.M. Halbert Ranch which is located between Sonora and Del Rio. B.M. Halbert was the second president of the Association and served from 1917 through 1918. Mr. Halbert is the great-grandfather of the TSGRA first vice president, Lee Bloodworth of Sonora.

It is therefore fitting that the sheep sponsored by this organization has been mounted on a base donated by the Halbert family whose connection to the sheep and goat industry is long-standing and on-going.

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The Artistry of Concho Christmas

By Lucie Hofheins

Everyone who has taken the Concho Christmas Light Tour has marveled at the life-size Christmas cards on display. What they might not know is that these works of art are hand painted by a unique and dedicated group of local artists.

Participating sponsors select the card of their choice and submit greeting for design duplication. The BIG difference is — the tour cards are much larger, and therefore require a large work space. In the basement of the Cactus Hotel, the art group gathers as early as September to start on the project. Paint cans and tubes are strewn about, and an assortment of brushes stand in glass jars and cleaning cloths stand ready for any small spills.

The Concho Christmas Celebration began in 1995 with 21 giant cards displayed in the El Paseo de Santa Angela area. Lights and cards were best viewed by walking out to the display. Each year that followed, additional sponsorship added to the card count. The tour was expanded in 1996 to a 2.5 mile driving route along River Drive. The 2007 celebration featured over 50 holiday greetings along with spectacular light displays and a Live Nativity Scene sponsored by First Christian Church.

The December 8th opening program for the 2007 downtown Christmas Celebration featured the San Angelo Community Band, and choral groups the Tonesmen, and Sweet Adelines.

Wrapping up the evening’s events, the annual Christmas Light parade featured numerous floats covered in lights and an assortment of Christmas decorations. Highlighting the parade, a float featuring Santa’s SHEEP pulling a covered wagon with the leader sporting a red nose was sponsored by the Concho Avenue merchants. The group utilized the fiberglass sheep offered for sponsorship by Downtown San Angelo, Inc. The result brought smiles and giggles from spectators lining the streets.

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Book of Art

by: Lucie Hofheins

Working in the Cactus Hotel has many perks. I often frequented the Cactus Café for lunch or an occasional snack. Each time I visited, I was fascinated by the murals hand-painted on the north wall. At first, there were three wall paintings depicting Celebration Bridge, the Sunken Gardens & the Water Lily Collection. One could imagine new scenes which would fill the empty spaces on what was now a artist’s canvas.

I was not sure who was responsible for the work but I kept going back to view the next design and images. A little research and I discovered that one of San Angelo’s own, Suzanne (Evans) McGee produced the entire project. A 1956 graduate of San Angelo High School, and student of San Angelo College and University of Texas, Ms. McGee declared that the inspiration came from a little map she picked up in Durango, Colorado. “It was a long, skinny fold-out map with scenes of the town,” she stated, “and I thought San Angelo would be a great place to feature.” She devised that the right venue would have to be a long skinny wall, in order to capture San Angelo highlights suitably. While sitting in the Cactus Café, she was approached by the café operator to come up with a design to spruce up the place. The north wall provided the necessary space for the project.

The scenes were taken from photographs Suzanne took herself, except for the Texas Theatre. She was provided with three photos of the theatre and chose the front view as that is how she remembered the building best.

Cleverly affixed to the wall in booklet form, the completed exhibit includes:

Booklet cover which reads:

Welcome to San Angelo
Come take a stroll through our beautiful city. You’ll find rivers, lush trees, peaceful parks, and art almost everywhere. The greatest treasure to be found within this Queen City of the Conchos is the people who live here and those who come to visit.

Celebration Bridge
Water Lily Collection
Pearl on the Concho
The Texas Theatre
Old Fire Station
Sunken Garden
The Lady in Blue
Municipal Pool

Working at night and on weekends, when the café was closed, the project took about a year, generally because Suzanne had so many other projects going. Ms. McGee has always loved art, and it is certainly demonstrated in this historic display.

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Unique Nativity set displayed downtown throughout the Christmas Season, courtesy of Billie & Frieda Hanks & family

About 25 years ago, Billie and Freida Hanks were visiting in Germany when they happened on a half-life size handcarved and hand painted nativity set. They were advised that each piece was individually carved from an exclusive log including the infant Jesus which can be lifted out of the manger.

The Hanks’ purchased the set and had it shipped to San Angelo. This beautiful group has since been put in safekeeping in an environmentally controlled storage unit where each figure was wrapped separately, and all are strapped to a wall in order that they not fall over and become damaged.

John McGee, DSA Board member, a long time friend of the family, asked if the set could be displayed in the downtown area throughout the Christmas season. The Hanks family graciously agreed and for those of you who were fortunate enough to view the scene at J. Walker Gallery, 221 S. Chadbourne, it was truly inspirational.

Angelo Apartment Movers were contracted to move the figurines, and Mr. McGee observed that the movers made a very concentrated effort and were exceedingly careful when positioning the scene. When they were done, they all walked out and stopped to take another long look through the studio window.

Downtown San Angelo, Inc. extends sincere appreciation to the Billie Hanks family for sharing the true spirit of Christmas with all of us.

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Downtown San Angelo, Inc.
Membership Listing

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