The idea to redevelop downtown Humble began in 2014, and the city held its first workshop to discuss revitalization efforts in January 2020. However, officials said the COVID-19 pandemic halted those efforts.
In November, Humble City Council members approved an agreement with the Texas Downtown Association to assess the city’s downtown area and provide recommendations for improvements. The city received the organization’s report during a June 15 meeting.
Suzy Lawrence, executive director of the Texas Downtown Association, said the long-term goal for the city should be to add more variety in the types of businesses in the downtown area.
“You have a lot going on downtown; however, we noticed that there's not a healthy retail mix to support a vibrant downtown economy,” Lawrence said.
According to Lawrence, a mix of retail, service and dining options help attract and retain residents in downtown areas. To attract more businesses, Lawrence suggested expanding the city’s downtown facade improvement program, which has provided nearly $400,000 in matching grants to business owners for visually improving the exterior appearances of properties.
“The facade grant [program] has done some wonders for your downtown, but there are lots of opportunity for more color, more public art and just more visual cohesion,” Lawrence said.
To help facilitate a clear vision for the area, Lawrence said the city should consider creating a merchant group or downtown business association to make formal recommendations to city staff regarding improvements downtown.
Lawrence also suggested the city improve wayfinding in the area with increased signage and the creation of a parking map or information kiosk near one of the city’s popular destinations.
“You have some great signature anchors in downtown, including Green Oaks Tavern and Humble City Cafe,” Lawrence said. “I would consider those as destinations within your downtown, and you can build around that.”
Additionally, Lawrence said the planting of additional trees along the downtown area’s main thoroughfares could help with wayfinding initiatives and improve safety by slowing down traffic.
“Also, as our Texas summers become longer and hotter, [trees] provide imperative shade,” she said.
Looking ahead
Lawrence laid out a suggested timeline for officials to consider regarding improvements. Short-term goals, which she said should be targeted over the next two years, include improving wayfinding, expanding of the city’s facade improvement program and increasing the number of events held downtown.
In the next two to five years, Lawrence suggested the widening of sidewalks downtown, an increased number of trees along roadways and the creation of a full-time position dedicated to working on the city’s downtown revitalization program.
Lawrence noted several long-term goals for the city to consider, including expanding the downtown area to include First Street, which would create a downtown core between Main Street and First Street, and along the avenues.
Lawrence also suggested relocating some of the city’s offices into the downtown area.
“Relocating [Humble] City Hall or a courthouse ... into your downtown could be a long-term opportunity for the city,” she said, pointing to the city of McKinney as an example of how the idea could benefit the downtown area. “At every single event [the city of McKinney] has, the courthouse is fully open for restrooms, where people can sit in the air conditioning and cool off.”
Moving forward, officials said a more concrete improvement plan will likely be made as the city considers its budget for fiscal year 2023-24.
