Envision a livable downtown neighborhood. Tree-lined sidewalks filled with places to eat, shop, socialize and experience. This is our vision of Sherman Downtown Now!
Ours is a unique urban community located less than an hour north of the DFW metroplex. As Sherman’s city center and county seat of Grayson County, the neighborhood has a long and rich past, and we are now looking forward to a bright future as a sustainable mixed-use community. Our neighborhood already boasts a mix of retail shops, restaurants and cafés, arts and sports venues, professional services and opportunities for urban living. In addition, we are currently in the early stages of a full-scale development plan for the neighborhood. Whether you are a Sherman resident or are from out of town, a prospective business owner or developer, this site should offer you the resources you need. Browse the site and join us in our celebration of Sherman Downtown Now!
Some of our accomplishments:
- Hot Summer Nights (HSN) was a Main Street Sherman event with support from DSP&R. George Rowland was on the city council and president of the Main Street Advisory Board. DSP&R was the private sector partner in the Main Street effort. Ginger Nye was also involved – she with the DSP&R group booked many of the bands in the early years. This is the 20th season for HSN! So, in some ways, the new events are a continuation of DSP&R’s work from Main Street days. Sherman was an official Texas Main Street City from January 1993-December 1997, for five years.
- The Christmas Parade was really revived through Main Street and DSP&R. When the Main Street Director took that on, the Jaycees were down to just a few people and it was hard for them to do all the work. They had a great system, though, and just needed volunteers and resources. Main Street and DSP&R helped revive the parade and eventually the Chamber of Commerce took ownership.
- All the Christmas lights in downtown were installed during Main Street with support from downtown merchants and city staff.
- Developed and drove the concept and facilitated the acquisition of the old post office across from Sherman Municipal Building by getting it donated to DSP&R, resulting in the refurbishment of the Kidd-Key Auditorium and the use of that building as City of Sherman office space.
- Developed the concept and contributed to the design for the downtown Streetscape and raised the funds for the trees. We are now adding planters in several areas through another grant program to our organization and private funds.
- The Christmas in July event just held for the second time with hundreds of participants and kid’s activities downtown.
- Red River Mardi Gras had its first two-day event and Mardi Gras Ball this year, and Stroll on the Square in October 2013. We initiated and sustained the St. Patrick’s Day Event for the past several years, as well as October events on Wall Street that are being continuously improved.
Lots of other events have come and gone under our leadership. Today’s ongoing work of DSP&R, Inc.. the City of Sherman, the Chamber of Commerce, local merchants and friends keeps our downtown neighborhood and our community vibrant, relevant and attracts visitors from all around North Texas. It takes the commitment of the private sector to change downtown, in addition to the city’s role and the role of a non-profit like DSP&R. We need your support to sustain and expand our events and projects that contribute to the quality of life in our community.
