While the shops of Historic Downtown Montgomery are noticeable to commuters passing through, the city of Montgomery wants people to stop and shop before blowing past the city limits. City officials are coming up with a master plan for the district’s streetscape and are putting careful thought into potential improvements that respect the city’s history­­.

Already in the works, plans include paved parking, sidewalks, benches, trees and ornamental lights to increase pedestrian friendliness. Montgomery plans to add more plaques with historical information to its parks and install more state flags—and art—on every corner downtown, commemorating its fame as the birthplace of the Texas flag.

Alongside improvements, the city also has preliminary plans for a flag festival next March to draw people into town. The celebration would commemorate Charles B. Stewart signing the Texas State Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.