El Dorado Main Street presented its second‑quarter update to the City Commission, outlining a strategy to increase downtown residential density, secure grant funding for events and infrastructure, and strengthen volunteer and partner support.

The update matters because Main Street leaders said denser upper‑story housing is their preferred strategy to attract retail and services downtown and make existing commercial buildings financially viable. Commissioners and staff heard specific project proposals and recent grant awards that could support rehabilitation and programming in the city center.

Emily Canal, director of El Dorado Main Street, told commissioners the group’s priorities for 2025–26 are family‑friendly destination programming, increased upper‑story residential density and organizational stability. Canal said the organization operates under a five‑year memorandum of understanding with the city that is currently under review by city staff and Main Street’s executive committee.

Canal and her slides identified several downtown building projects Main Street is actively engaged with: the Masonic Building (potentially 14 loft‑style apartments), the Knowles Building (preliminary historic‑preservation approval for seven second‑floor apartments), the Smith Building (a conversion projection of about 16 apartments), and a small commercial building on South Main with room for three to five units. Canal said there are roughly 43 downtown buildings with second‑story potential and about 20 of those are already occupied.

“We think we can be stronger by working together,” Canal said, describing Main Street’s emphasis on partnership with Experience El Dorado, the Butler Times‑Gazette and other local organizations.

Main Street reported recent and prospective grant support tied to downtown programming. Canal said the organization won a T‑Mobile Hometown grant for $50,000 to support the proposed Wiffle Ball stadium and related programming. She also described a Kansas Department of Commerce sign grant with a 50% match she estimated at “almost $10,000,” intended in part to fund a planned jumbotron facing north on a south wall as part of a multiuse setup. Canal said Main Street submitted a HEAL grant application; the written packet describes that application as “100,000.50” (as shown in Main Street materials).

Canal said Main Street receives semiannual city support; the organization has received both payments for the year, which she said total $30,000 per year based on the current city allocation. She also described a supporter fundraising campaign that has reached 60 commitments so far in 2025 and a new annual golf fundraiser that she said should be financially stronger next year.

Nicole Entsminger, Main Street vice president and lead grant writer, was credited in the presentation for securing major grant applications and reapplications, including plans to reapply for the Kansas Tourism Attraction grant this fall.

Canal outlined event and partner work: monthly partner meetings at the Civic Center, the downtown assembly schedule, and planning for Thankful Thursday and a downtown family event roster. Canal asked commissioners and staff to note that some projects—especially the Wiffle Ball stadium—carry extra costs such as artificial turf installation that Main Street is still budgeting for.

The presentation closed with a request that commissioners continue to support partnership efforts and to review the Main Street memorandum of understanding while staff and the organization complete their reviews.

Commissioner Wilkinson later summarized Main Street highlights during advisory‑board updates and reminded commissioners of upcoming partner events and a meet‑and‑greet for Butler Community College’s incoming president.

Less critical details: Canal said Main Street has been accredited through Main Street America and Kansas Main Street, and that specific timelines and capital stacks for building conversions remain subject to developer financing and grant availability. Canal said some tax credits and other funding opportunities are motivating property owners to move quickly.