Rockwall Main Street

Like Rockwall Harbor, Rockwall Main Street is known for its upscale shopping and dining experiences. In addition to many retail and dining options, Rockwall Main Street hosts weekly farmers’ markets where you can purchase local produce and goods. From May to September, every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., more than 30 vendors sell their local products here. What Main Street Managers saw in Rockwall during a summer development session is a far cry from where the city has been in recent years. Highlights of the week included a walking tour of the historic downtown, an exciting live music concert at the city’s newest intimate open space in San Jacinto Plaza, and a sunset cruise on scenic Lake Ray Hubbard. Basically, visitors spent a week in Rockwall to get a glimpse of the ups and downs experienced along the way to revitalize the city’s historic downtown. A Texas Main Street town with no real main street, Rockwall has seen explosive growth, especially in the last 10 years.

Now the square is a place full of life and energy, where people can gather, shop, relax and have fun – just like in the old days. Funny how history repeats itself. The journey back to prosperity in historic downtown Rockwall was both interesting and educational. A growing community located 14 miles east of downtown Dallas on the eastern shore of Lake Ray Hubbard, Rockwall has been designated a Texas Main Street City since 2009. The revitalization of downtown Rockwall is truly the work of many people working together toward a common goal. . Its rebirth began when the Rockwall City Council submitted an application and was selected as an official 2009 Texas Main Street City. The Rockwall Main Street Program has partnered with Rockwall Old Town Shoppes and Friends of Downtown to attract great restaurants, retail and thousands of visitors each year. Downtown Rockwall is now a social and entertainment destination for both Rockwall residents and tourists from all over North Texas. Don’t forget to check out this place in Rockwall too.

Since 2009, the Main Street Advisory Board has awarded 18 facade and sign grants totaling $16,000 to allow businesses to improve the appearance of their buildings. The facade grant program is funded by contributions from the city and the community bank. The facelift of the area is impressive and has encouraged others to improve their properties. Since the program began, public and private sector reinvestments in downtown have totaled $2.5 million. A voter-approved bond project for downtown improvements will begin later this year, adding $8.625 million to the reinvestment total when completed. Improvements include street and sidewalk renovations, more parking and pedestrian areas, street landscaping, lighting, signage and furniture. The progress of the Bondi project speaks to citizens’ enthusiasm for this thriving downtown. It affirms the desire of Rockwall community members to preserve the heart of Rockwall.

Downtown properties have increased 34 percent in the past 10 years, and sales tax receipts have increased 30 percent since 2009. Five more restaurants have opened downtown since the Rockwall Main Street program began. Volunteerism has grown dramatically since the high street program was established downtown. A network of 40-50 volunteers has been created, and since 2009 more than 2,500 volunteer work hours have been monitored. Every September, the city hosts a volunteer reception downtown, featuring live music, cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres, with an invitation list that grows each year as more volunteers line Main Street. Youth participation on Main Street was great, with Boy Scouts volunteering to deliver watermelon to downtown farmers for their customers and providing cold water on hot summer days. If you are in need of a paving contractor, click here.