More than 20 business owners, property owners and members of the community attended a recent meeting to discuss forming a group to help guide the Magnolia downtown revitalization project along.

The City of Magnolia’s downtown revitalization for the stretch of businesses near the intersection of FM 1774 and FM 1488 include planned walkways and a farmer’s market.

City Administrator Ryan Kelley hosted the meeting, along with projects and events coordinator Katrina Welch in the Sewell Smith Council Chambers of City Hall.

“The group I want to get started will not be associated with the city,” Kelley told those in attendance. “The decision will be yours. The city staff will continue to work with you.”

Kelley then asked attendees of the meeting what they wanted the group to accomplish.

Everyone agreed that they’d like to attract more business in the downtown area, and several voiced their opinions on beautification issues.

With the planned widening of FM 1774 by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), some business owners in the expansion area were concerned about how it would affect the downtown area.

Cindy Hitchcock, owner of Trail Mix Grille, suggested adding vegetation to the nearly treeless downtown area.

The group also talked themes, with some suggesting something to do with horses, due to the large horse community in the Magnolia area.

Kelley urged the upstart group members to become a 501 C3 non-profit group, saying it would be more successful this way. He also emphasized the importance of the “private sector” in the success of the association.

“It will not work without private investment,” he said, citing his experience working with other downtown association groups.

Kelley said the first things the group should focus on are naming the downtown area and creating a mission statement that sums up the goals of the organization.

“The group is going to need folks, and folks to talk about it,” Kelley told the members.

For more information on the downtown association, contact the City of Magnolia at 281-356-2266.

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