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TEx. s HISTORICAL COMMISSION The State Agency for Historic Preservation RICK PE1LRY, GOVEILNOR JOHN L. NAU, 111, C~IAIILMAN F. LAWERENCE OAKS, EX~CUT~rE DIRECTOR January21,2004 Michael E. Mallone City Manager 50 W. Hickory Street Paris, TX 75460 Dear Mr. Mallone, The Texas Main Street Program had an exciting year in 2003. For the first time in over 20 years, we are offering architectural and design assistance to every Main Street City in the state. The Main Street Graduate Assistance Program was funded last spring by the Texas, legislature and we began in September, 2003. Renowned Texas preservation architect, Wayne Bell, F~, has returned to the Texas Historical Commission (THC) after a 30-year absence to lead this new program. In his former affiliation (1968-72) with the agency he directed the newly formed National Register Program in Texas. Then from the THC he went to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department where he served as chief of the Historic Sites and Restoration Branch, also a newly organized program for that department. From there, he rejoined The University of Texas School of Axchiteeture, serving as director of the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, retiring in 1995. Once again, the City of Paris becomes eligible to participate in the Main Street graduate city program. Although Par~s has made great strides in revitalizing its downtown, the continuation of a full-time downtowu management program xs essential in maintaining and enhancing this progress. We continue to offer a wide range of services to our graduate Main Street cities, including strategic planning facilitation, board training and development, economic development assistance, merchandising and interior space planning and an active network of downtown professionals that includes cities from all across the state. We have an impressive record in maintaining graduate city status fin the statewide program. Currently, we have 59 graduate cities. Paris's continued progress and success in downtown revitalization is a top priority for the Texas Main Street Program. We hope that Pards will take advantage of this unique opportunity. Enclosed are two copies of the Letter of Agreement between the city of paris and the Texas Main Street Program of the Texas Historical comrmssion- This Letter of Agreement represents your commitment to participate as a graduate Main Street City for 2004. Please sign and return both eopiea of the agreement to the Main Street office (one copy will be returned for your file when signatures are complete). Also enclosed is an invoice for this participation. Please process this invoice for payment at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 512/463-5758. ; Sincerely, ;7~ ~/L~// ;~'n-2 KlM McKnight, State ~Coord~ at r Texas Main Street Program Community Heritage Development Division cc: Paris Main Street Manager Enclosures P.O. BOX 12276 . AUSTIN. TX 78711-2276 · 512/463-6100 · FAX 512/475-4872 · TDD 1-800/735-2989 ,~,w.t hc .state .tx.us