Amarillo is continually striving to restore the once prosperous and popular downtown area.  A number of projects, such as a gas station construction, have been planned and executed in order to complete this goal.

Old buildings have been turned into new commercial suites and condos, a convention-style Marriott is planning its grand opening this month at the old Fisk building, and small eateries, shops, and bars are starting to be seen around every corner.

With these accommodations being made, the whereabouts of funding come into play.  Beth Duke, executive director of Center City of Amarillo, explains that funding for these projects come from a combination of public and private funding.

“There is a lot of private funding for these projects,” Duke said.  “However, incentive programs such as our TIRZ help with the public funding.”

TIRZ is the Tax Increment Re-Investment Zone, which is a developmental tool that captures the projected increase in property tax revenue that is created by development in a defined area (downtown), and invests those funds in other public improvements within the zone.

“This money basically comes from the appreciation of property downtown,” Duke said.  “TIRZ provides incentives to private developers such as rebates on property taxes and also makes a grant available to upgrade streetscape.”

TIRZ voted unanimously on Oct. 15 to provide more than $745,000 in construction to improve sidewalks and streetscape around the Potter County Courthouse.  This will have to get approval through Amarillo City Commission.  This historic building which was build in 1932, takes up the entire block between Taylor and Pierce Street, and between 5th and 6th avenue.

TIRZ is also looking to reimburse the $46,000-$70,000 installment to complete a new streetscape and sidewalk plan around the new Courtyard Marriott.

Kim Campbell, downtown business owner, is very excited about these renovations and thinks it will better the downtown area overall.

“Nothing has been done to the sidewalks since we have been in business,” Campbell said.  “Having a nice landscape gives the impression that we are a proud and thriving area, and it makes people feel more welcome.”

Austin Smith, an Amarillo citizen, brings some incite to the apparent concerns with these renovations.

“It is obvious people are trying to make downtown Amarillo better,” Smith said.  “From what it sounds like though we are going to have homeless people, dark run-down sidewalks and pollution on one side of the street, and then have businessmen and a clean, well-lit sidewalk on the other.”

Smith however, understands the fact that this restoration effort will not be complete overnight.

“I guess Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Smith said.  “You have to start somewhere.”