San Marcos proclaims downtown day as Main Street program celebrates national semifinalist recognition

The mayor of the city of San Marcos proclaimed a downtown San Marcos day to recognize the San Marcos Main Street program’s role in downtown revitalization and to celebrate the program’s selection as one of eight national semifinalists for the 2026 Great American Main Street Awards. The proclamation highlighted that downtown San Marcos is home to nearly 300 locally owned businesses and roughly 2,300 employees, and noted nearly $150,000,000 in reinvestment in the downtown area, including $40,000,000 in the past five years.

"This is a big deal," Mayor Jane Hughson said as she read the proclamation acknowledging the program’s work and its approaching 40th anniversary as a designated Texas Main Street city.

Josie Faleta, downtown manager, thanked council members, staff and volunteers and singled out clean-team members and staff in attendance. "We're so excited," Faleta said, noting the city’s semifinalist status and the role of local partnerships and volunteers in supporting downtown businesses.

The proclamation also cited the Main Street Incentive Grant, created in 2012, as a tool for downtown business improvements and said the city has invested in infrastructure projects, including a planned downtown alley reconstruction to pilot green-alley infrastructure. Faleta noted the Main Street staff and volunteers would be recognized during local events tied to the anniversary and award process.

The city provided no additional details in the proclamation about selection criteria for the national award or a timeline for local follow-up; Faleta said the city would learn the final award result in April (year not further specified in the remarks).