The driving force behind the Main Street revitalization effort has been the unique and dynamic partnerships that have been created to conceive and implement projects under common goals. Successful partnership is key in integrating transit and land-use, and creating a seamless interface between private development and the public realm. Partners will help accomplish goals through cash contribution, provision of easement, donation of land, coordination of private open space improvements with publicly funded improvements, and the coordination in project timing.

Building partnerships has been the cornerstone of the Main Street Corridor revitalization effort. Effective partnership is especially critical in the implementation phase, since coordination of private and public sector development efforts will yield maximum benefits. The following are brief descriptions of key partners and their roles. Other stakeholders will be brought into the project as identified in the process.

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• City of Houston Planning and Development Department:
  The City of Houston Planning and Development Department (P&D) has played a key role in the revitalization of the Corridor, including the guiding and funding of the Main Street Corridor Master Plan, which serves as a basis for future implementation activities. The City of Houston P&D, as well as other departments affected including the Public Works & Engineering Department (PW&E), will be active partners in this Project to provide technical assistance, conduct grant management, raise funding, and ensure proper coordination among planning efforts of various stakeholders.

• Diocese of Houston-Galveston:
  The Diocese’s planned cathedral in the southern section of downtown triggered the development of the Cathedral Square concept, and the subsequent partnership among property owners and other stakeholders. The Diocese is actively involved in the project, and is willing to coordinate the design of the cathedral and its amenities with improvements to be made in the public realm. The Diocese is also committed to finding shared parking solutions among various uses in the area.

• Houston Downtown Management District
  The HDMD is a municipal management district for Downtown with capabilities to levy assessments and access tax-exempt financing to conduct various activities intended to sustain the vitality of Downtown, including the planning and implementation of capital projects. The HDMD, along with Central Houston, Inc, coordinates development activities in the entire Downtown district and will be an important player in the implementation of the Cathedral Square project.

• Main Street /Market Square Redevlopment Authority (MSRA):
  The Main Street Market Square Redevelopment Authority (MSRA) working in tandem with the City of Houston’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) Number Three was created to assist in the redevelopment of Main Street within downtown Houston. The MSRA plays a large role in revitalizing Downtown by enabling the construction and the installation of public works facilities such as streets, lighting, parks, and utilities along Main Street. Beginning with the acquisition and repositioning of the historic Rice Hotel, MSRA expanded its role of assistance to include historic façade restoration and preservation; projects include the National Commerce Bank Building and the Humble Oil Building. More recently MSRA has contributed millions of dollars towards the reconstruction of Main Street, enhancements to pedestrian areas and improving access to light rail.

• Main Street Coalition:
  In 1998, Mayor Brown created the Main Street Coalition to guide the revitalization of the Main Street Corridor. Since then, the Coalition has been taking the lead in coordinating planning and development efforts in the Corridor by facilitating meetings among diverse stakeholders, developing the Strategic Plan, and conducting public outreach. The Coalition will continue to play a major role in this project, by coordinating various partners to achieve common goals and continuing to involve, educate, and inform the public at large.

• Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO):
  The Houston area’s transit authority serves the City of Houston as well as other municipalities in the Houston metropolitan area. METRO is currently proceeding with its plans to implement a 7.5 mile light rail line along the Main Street Corridor, as well as improving many streets in the Downtown and Midtown districts through its Transit Streets Program. Partnership with METRO is critical for the optimal integration of land-use and transit in all three pilot projects.

• Midtown Redevelopment Authority:
  The Midtown Redevelopment Authority was established in 1995 to manage a tax increment reinvestment zone (TIRZ) created to help finance the cost of redeveloping the area. Since the establishment of the Midtown TIRZ, thousands of residential units and major retail/commercial development have taken place, taking advantage of financial incentives. Partnership with the Midtown Redevelopment Authority will be essential to maximize funding opportunities and coordinate development for the Wheeler/Blodgett pilot project.

• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston:
  The Museum of Fine Arts is a leader in fundraising and an active member of the Main Street Coalition. They have committed $120,000 to the design of streetscape enhancements in the Museum district.
• Reliant Park:
  Reliant Park, a large convention and sports/entertainment complex, is the site of the Astrodome and a new football stadium. The location for a METRO Light Rail Stop and a major tourist destination, Reliant Park will continue to play an important role in the development of Main Street.

• South Main Center Association:
  The South Main Center Association (SMCA), a 501 c (3) non-profit corporation was founded in 1976 to protect and enhance the diverse and vigorous South Main corridor and to coordinate activities of its institutions and neighborhoods during growth and change. SMCA is a founding member of the Main Street Coalition and has been very active in its administration.
• Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT):
  TxDOT has provided funding assistance for street and streetscape improvements along the Main Street Corridor.
• Texas Medical Center:
  The Texas Medical Center is made up of 40 member institutions which include 13 hospitals and more than 61,000 employees. The Main Street Corridor passes through the middle of the Medical Center and Medical Center representatives have been actively involved throughout the planning process.
• Third Ward Redevelopment Council (TWRC):
  TWRC serves as the umbrella organization for the redevelopment of the Greater Third Ward area, representing over 45 major stakeholders in the area and several thousand residents. The TWRC will be actively involved in this project through prioritization and community outreach. Contact at: 713-522-5154.
• Individual Property Owners:
  Owners of key properties in the project areas have been identified and are actively involved in project development. In the case of Cathedral Square, a non-profit development corporation is being formed whose primary activities will include fund raising and maintenance of the square.
• Making Main Street Happen, Inc. (MMSH):
  MMSH, a nonprofit entity promoting the design and development of important civic spaces, has been instrumental in advancing public interest in the revitalization of Main Street. MMSH funded the Urban Design competition for the Main Street Corridor in 1999, which served as a foundation to develop the Main Street Master Plan. MMSH will play an important role in this project through the provision of design assistance and funding opportunities. Contact at: 713-520-6606.
  

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