Downtown Revitalization

Vintage Vernon Foundation believes downtown Vernon should be a vibrant and desirable place to live, shop, dine and work.

It can be an exciting community destination, attracting visitors and residents alike by embracing history, culture, and progress through architectural preservation, celebrating our diverse heritage, as well as the arts and theater.

We aim to preserve, protect and enhance the downtown area with its historic assets, while raising the value of downtown properties and its businesses.

The architectural quality of downtown Vernon is important to the entire town -- its history, image, and economy. Improvements to the exterior appearances of individual buildings will help develop a new image of downtown Vernon.

Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program

One of Vintage Vernon's first revitalization projects is a Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program to provide financial assistance to property owners to:

         1. Renovate building facades in downtown Vernon.

         2. Rehabilitate the original fabric or design of existing properties.

         3. Preserve the unique character of downtown Vernon.

Main Street Program

Vintage Vernon strongly supports the City of Vernon's participation in the Texas Main Street Program. Vintage Vernon recently committed Facade Grant funding to support this program's downtown revitalization and preservation efforts.

The Foundation began its efforts in this regard in early 2010 when it encouraged the City of Vernon to apply to join the Texas Main Street Program and in July submitted a letter of support for that purpose. The City's application was accepted by the program in October.

In December 2010, a 12-member Vernon Main Street Advisory Board was appointed. Named were Billy Talbot, downtown business owner of Talbot Carpet; Joe Rogers, owner of Rogers Lodging; Bret McCormick, publisher of The Vernon Daily Record; Meg Heatly, at-large member; Cory Curtis, downtown business owner of Curtis Law Firm and representative for Vintage Vernon; Misty Tyra, downtown business owner of Three Hearts Steakhouse; Maurice Rosalez, downtown business owner and planning and zoning commission member; Matt Maurer at-large member and first alternate; Russell Brownlow, mayor pro tem and second alternate; Sean Stockard, Business Development Corporation of Vernon president/CEO and ex-officio member; Carrie Hawkins, Vernon Chamber of Commerce executive director and ex-officio member; Monica Wilkinson, City of Vernon director of community development and ex-officio member.

In January 2011, the City hired Dan Kelleher as Vernon's first Main Street Director.

The Main Street Program, part of the Texas Historical Commission’s Community Heritage Development Division, is the organization that coordinates, trains, advises, and monitors the economic improvements of local Main Street communities in Texas.  Each year the THC selects through a competitive process up to five Texas cities and urban areas as new Texas Main Street cities. 

As a unique economic development tool, the Main Street Four-Point Approach™ is the foundation for local communities to revitalize their historic downtowns by leveraging local assets – from cultural or architectural heritage to local enterprises and community pride. This comprehensive strategy fosters incremental improvements in four broad areas:

1. Economic Restructuring – Redefines the district’s niche in the marketplace and sharpens the competitiveness of existing businesses, while nurturing new enterprises that respond to today’s consumers’ needs.

2. Design – Targets infrastructure and building improvements that lay the groundwork for a physical transformation that will be both functional and attractive.

3. Promotion – Focuses on authentic community assets, with high-quality image development campaigns and events that will attract new shoppers, visitors, and residents.

4. Organization – Builds a pathway to leadership in local efforts by launching community-based, volunteer-driven nonprofit entities that empower residents and investors to collaborate for sustainable revitalization.

The First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry, welcomed Vernon as a new member of the Texas Main Street program on April 29, 2011. During her visit, Mrs. Perry made a speech on the steps of Wilbarger County Courthouse, accepted a honorary key to the city from Mayor Jeff Bearden, and joined the community at a reception in her honor at Vernon Plaza Theater.

The Vernon Main Street Advisory Board held a strategic planning workshop on May 5, 2011. The workshop helped downtown stakeholders establish goals and objectives for the Vernon Main Street Program. Debra Farst, Director of the Texas Main Street Program, led the workshop, assisted by other members of the Texas Main Street staff.

Vintage Vernon Foundation and the Vernon Main Street Program each presented $10,000 grant checks to Brantley Wright Insurance on May 10, 2013, to mark the completion of Vernon's first successful building rehabilitation using their Facade Improvement Matching Grant Program. The Brantley Wright project involved the removal of metal siding that covered exterior walls and windows, restoration of a historic "ghost sign", and repair of exterior doors, windows, masonry, and stucco.