The Organization
After Nearly 30 Years...
Our beginnings start in the early 1970s, when city leaders organized Central City Development Corporation. In 1985, CCDC became BUILD, Inc. and a 501(c)(3) status was obtained. BUILD, Inc. is an acronym for Beaumont Urban Improvement Leadership for Downtown, Inc. In 1991, BUILD, Inc. and the City of
Beaumont applied for Main Street designation from the Texas Historical Commission and the National Trust. The designation was approved and in 1992 Beaumont Main Street began the work of revitalizing the Beaumont Commercial District, a National Register District.
Beaumont Main Street is southeast Texas’ only organization officially affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Texas Historical Commission.
After nearly 30 years, Beaumont Main Street continues to be an advocate, not only for brick and mortar, but a healthy and vibrant downtown that Beaumonters can be proud of.
Mission Statement
Beaumont Main Street, a project of the 501(c)(3) organization BUILD, Inc., has established a partnership between the public and private sectors that is dedicated to the revitalization of Beaumont’s historic Central Business District.
Vision Statement
Beaumont Main Street, in partnership with the City of Beaumont, envisions an economically vital downtown that stimulates historic preservation, promotional opportunities and job growth while blending professional, business, government, retail, residential, cultural, religious, entertainment and educational entities.
The Beaumont Main Street Board of Directors
Our Staff
Ex-Officio Members
Executive Director
Director of Community Development
Roy West
Mayor of Beaumont
Chris Boone
Assistant City Manager
Kennith Williams
Beaumont City Manager
June Ellis
Assistant City Manager
Our Membership & Becoming a Member!
The membership of Beaumont Main Street is our most important asset. Not only do our members provide monetary gifts, they also provide many hours of volunteerism throughout the year at DOG-tober Fest, our Annual Meeting, or any of our other events. We are proud of the many members of Beaumont Main Street!
There are two ways to join – Download our Membership Application and mail it with your check! Or, click the “Donate” button below on your desired tier. All donations are securely processed through PayPal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Beaumont Main Street’s primary area of concern is the Beaumont Commercial District, a National Register District and the immediate surrounding area. This covers the area north to Interstate 10, south to Blanchette Street, east to the Neches River/Main Street and west to Jefferson Street. Over 50 blocks are included in the Main Street target area. We may advocate for an historic structure outside our target area, but only if the structure contributes significantly to the history of Beaumont.
No, we are a non-profit organization. However, we are associated with the Texas Historical Commission’s Main Street Center in Austin and the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center in Washington D.C. The City of Beaumont is our major public sector partner.
Beaumont Main Street does not have grant money to distribute to private property owners. However, we have several incentives for restoration, renovation and improvements to buildings located in the downtown area including a low-interest loan pool, tax abatements through the City of Beaumont and historic tax credits.
Through organization, promotion, economic development and design activities which are described throughout this website. Beaumont Main Street staff and volunteers receive tremendous training and networking opportunities with other Main Street communities across the United States.
Our budget is approximately $150,000 annually. Approximately 1/2 comes from the City of Beaumont and 1/2 is matched by Beaumont Main Street. The organization raises these funds through membership investment and sponsorship of promotional events and publications. If you would like to become a member and partner with us in revitalizing downtown, please click here!
Beaumont Main Street has a full-time staff of two; an Executive Director and a Director of Development.
Volunteers are the backbone of Beaumont Main Street. Each year over 100 volunteers serve on Main Street committees or in other volunteer capacities. Please contact us if you have an interest in downtown and would like to serve alongside us.
Over $200 million has been invested in property acquisition, renovation, restoration and new construction by both the private and public sectors in downtown Beaumont since main street began in 1992. Over 50 buildings have been restored or renovated by the private sector for a total of $55 million while the area has experienced over $4 million in private sector new construction including the townhomes of Cathedral Square. The City of Beaumont recently completed a $60 million public improvement project including paved sidewalks, burial of utility lines, vintage lighting and landscaping in downtown Beaumont as well as the major entryway into the central business district, Calder Avenue. The City has also completed a new downtown event center and Great Lawn. For every $1 the City of Beaumont has invested in Beaumont Main Street, the private-sector has invested $52 in acquisition of buildings or property, renovation and restoration of buildings as well as new construction.
Beaumont Main Street’s specific accomplishments can be viewed here.
Beaumont Main Street is associated with the following organizations:
Main Street Achievements & Awards
Beaumont is recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a National Main Street City. We report monthy to the National Trust and the Texas Main Street Center on our progress, and are scored each year in order to retain our standing a Main Street City. Beaumont Main Street has consistently held high marks in its nearly twenty-five year history. We are southeast Texas’ only organization that is affiliated with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Texas Historical Commission.
Beaumont Main Street partnered with the Jefferson Theatre Preservation Society to raise $6.5 million to save the Historic Jefferson Theatre. The structure continues to be one of Beaumont’s premier venues.
Beaumont Main Street assisted with attracting the National Development Council to purchase and restore the Hotel Beaumont. Beaumont Main Street raised over one million dollars to restore public areas in the building.
Our Save & Secure program has saved a historic home near downtown. The Langham House, once at 1561 Park, is now secured and taken care of by a loving owner. This program has determined our priority buildings, in other words, buildings that need attention sooner than others.
Beaumont Main Street held 8 film festivals in the past 12 years which have attracted thousands of visitors the Jefferson Theatre.
DOG-tober Fest each October draws over two thousand citizens to downtown to pamper their furry friend. Three Dog-tober Fest’s have had an ancillary event named “Yappy Hour”, which recognizes sponsors and is open to the public.
Our Annual Meeting informs the public and members of Beaumont Main Street one what’s happening in downtown. Each year the meeting is held in a different venue, showcasing the many beautiful buildings in downtown.
Beaumont Main Street has used our revolving loan fund to assist over a dozen entities to restore or partially upgrade their buildings at a total of over $1,000,000 in investments. A prime example would be the White building on the corner of Trinity and Forsyth. Beaumont Main Street lent a low interest loan for the restoration of building into lofts, which saved the building from demolition. Other buildings saved with our loan pool are the Santa Fe Depot and the Danna Building, among others. These restorations not only secure the building, but increase property values and assist business.
Beaumont Main Street fields developers on a constant basis. Interested parties often contact the Beaumont Main Street office for information on buildings. We assist with either giving them information needed or directing them to appropriate owners or realtors.
We assist with attaining historic tax credits for building renovations. Federal and state tax rebates for restoring historic buildings are near fifty percent. We work to make sure that owners and developers know of this enticement. The Coale Building is an excellent example of a building that used historic tax credits to help with restoration costs. Downtown Beaumont is home to seven buildings that have used historic tax credits – more than any other city of relative size in the South.
We assist with architectural renderings of buildings, which is a service provided by our parent organization, the Texas Historical Commission.
We consistently promote downtown business with our website and social media platforms.
