Denison Main Street board approves 2026 work plan; vacant building ordinance remains on pause

The Denison Main Street Advisory Board voted to approve its business and work‑plan tasks for 2026 and discussed the status of a proposed vacant‑building ordinance.

During discussion of transformation strategy 2, Speaker 1 asked about Task 3 (a draft ordinance). Speaker 4 reported that the vacant‑building ordinance is currently “on pause” while the city council reviews the matter and conducts outreach to stakeholders. Board members cited a recent incident in which someone accessed loft space through an adjacent building as part of the reason for heightened attention to building inspections and occupancy issues.

Speakers also reviewed performance goals tracked by the DDA/DDF, including an occupancy target (Speaker 2 recalled a 93% occupancy goal set for December 2025). An informal count mentioned in the meeting placed current downtown occupancy around 83.4 percent, which several members described as an unofficial figure that may have declined from previous tallies. Speaker 4 noted the DDA/DDF office tracks incentives and occupancy progress and that larger expenditures—design or construction—would require council approval and budget allocations.

After discussion, the board moved to approve the task list for the business and work plan for 2026 and passed it by voice vote. The approval covers tasks as drafted; items that require council action or additional funding remain subject to further review.