In 2005, as authorized by H.B. 2208 of the 79th Legislature, the Texas Commission on the Arts can designate cultural districts in Texas. In this program, an organization by itself or representing a collaborative effort will file an application to recognize their cultural district. Applicants must schedule an orientation meeting and work closely with Commission staff in the development of their application.
In 2019, Beaumont became one of approximately 40 cities with such a district.
The intent of such a district is to designate special zones in cities and Texas communities that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community vitality.
Organizations which are eligible are:
Established Arts Organizations
Established Arts Organizations of Color
Local Arts Agencies
Government Local Arts Agencies
Government Agency or Department
College Arts Institutions
There are requirements for a area in order to become a designated cultural district such as like buildings within walking distance of each other and activities for children, according to Sue Bard with SETAC, who was in Orange on Tuesday to talk about options for the old Orange City Hall on Green Ave. At this time, Council member Terrie Salter is researching options for the building.
Once established, organizations within the district could be eligible for grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA).
Due to the collaborative work of the Texas Cultural Trust and Texans for the Arts, the 84th Texas Legislature appropriated $5 million to TCA for creating a competitive grant program to support economic development within Cultural Districts. In December 2015, 20 grants totaling $1.5 million were awarded to Cultural Districts located in Dallas, El Paso, Galveston, Houston, Lubbock, San Elizario, and Wimberley. These eleven designated Cultural Districts were funded in amounts ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 for projects focusing on significant cultural tourism efforts. The funded projects focused on marketing, infrastructure investment, and support for major events. The grant funding was anticipated to attract additional visitors and revenue to the Cultural Districts and their cultural institutions, according to The Tourism Economic Impact of Cultural District Grant Funding published in 2016.
“This building is still standing and the city needs to do something with it,” Salter said.
The former city hall was once the home of Edgar Brown Jr. The structure has a steel frame and is supported by six-foot square pilings driven eight feet into the ground.
Inside the house, the first floor included a living room, library, kitchen with butler’s pantry, dining room, breakfast room and a bathroom. The second floor had six bedrooms and three bathrooms.
In 1944, it became Orange City Hall when the city purchased it from Brown.
Orange City Council at the time opted to relocate City Hall to 16th Street after learning it would be cheaper to move than to renovate the building.
-Dawn Burleigh, KOGT-
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