Downtown Sherman and Denison, Texas, have undergone significant revitalization efforts in recent years. These historic areas have transformed into lively commerce, culture, and community engagement centers. Through strategic planning, infrastructure enhancements, and community initiatives, both cities cultivate environments that honor their rich histories while embracing contemporary growth.
Economic development organizations in both cities are actively working to attract and support businesses. The Sherman Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO), a Type A Economic Development Corporation, primarily promotes industrial development, such as manufacturing, research and development, and business infrastructure. This type of development is complex, takes literally decades to manifest, but generally yields high quality, primary jobs within the community. While this kind of development is crucial to sustaining the population growth headed to our region, it leaves a lot of space for public/private partnerships to assist in championing small business development.
Sherman's downtown has undergone a remarkable transformation, marked by infrastructure upgrades and the emergence of numerous small businesses. Visitors can enjoy a variety of local shops, spas, entertainment venues, and diverse dining options, all contributing to a lively and inviting atmosphere. According to David Downtain of Urban Sherman, “The success of businesses like La Piazza prove the viability of investing in downtown.”
Revitalizing hundred year old buildings with equally aged infrastructure does not come cheap or quickly. “It’s difficult to renovate an historical building as compared to building from scratch in business parks,” laments David. “Fire is a real challenge in these buildings, and it takes a lot of money to bring in the lines to facilitate modern suppression systems. Fortunately, the City of Sherman is an excellent partner. Recent changes to the incentive programs along with the City’s commitment to cover costs for fire lines, sewer, and water infrastructure make retail, restaurant, and entertainment development economically viable.”
Equally important, the City of Sherman has proven itself to be an active partner supporting facade grants and other curb appeal projects to enhance the overall appeal of downtown. David emphasized, “Private/public partnerships are what is making what you see starting to happen around the square possible. The heart of any community is its downtown. With all the growth, holding on to the charm that defines Sherman is characterized by visiting restaurants where the owner stops by your table to chat or shopping in boutiques where the owner knows your size and style. I feel like we’ve turned a corner and in the coming months, you’ll be surprised by all of the changes happening downtown!”
In Denison, the Denison Development Alliance (DDA), Denison’s Type A Economic Development Corporation, focuses on making the city an attractive location for all businesses, industry and manufacturing facilities. The DDA provides resources and support to ensure that businesses find relocating to Denison profitable and beneficial. The Denison Development Foundation (DDF), on the other hand, is a non-profit organization focused on providing funding for small businesses, retailers, unique restaurants, and development projects through grants.
These efforts are complemented by private development initiatives, such as the Preston Harbor project near Lake Texoma, which aims to create a master-planned community with various residential products, an active adult community, trails, recreation, and lakeside amenities, further enhancing the region's appeal.
Denison's downtown revitalization is guided by the "Designing Downtown Denison" project, which focuses on reimagining key areas such as Main Street, Touchdown Alley, Heritage Park, and the 700 Block of Main Street. The project emphasizes enhancing connections to local landmarks, improving accessibility, and updating infrastructure. Notable features include updated utilities, ADA accessibility, and water features, which will continue along the entire downtown corridor.
These developments are designed to enhance the downtown experience, making it more accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike. According to Tony Kaai, President of the Denison Development Alliance, “Revitalization efforts take time. The groundwork for the transformation we are enjoying today was laid over 20 years ago. There have been many players acting in concert over many years to bring the kind of quality of development we see on Main Street today to life.”
A recurring theme when discussing downtown development is the role it plays in the identity of a community. “Our downtown exemplifies the character of our community and is a key reason a lot of businesses choose to start or relocate their operations to the area,” says Tony. While enormous effort, incentives, and infrastructure have been invested to bringing companies like GlobalWafers to the area, according to Wyatt Watson, Engineering Director and Project Manager of the new facility in Sherman, “the charm of downtown Denison was a motivating factor in choosing the region for our new plant.”
Creating a vision for revitalization and executing plans of many years is a tall order for any community. There are myriad factors that are simply out of the control of any public or private entity. In the end, the tenacity of visionaries, the commitment of public officials, the investment of private development firms, and the entrepreneurial spirit of developers and business owners are key ingredients. Without public support, however, no plan will survive the test of time.
Both Sherman and Denison have prioritized community engagement in their downtown development plans. Denison's Main Street program, initiated in 1988 and officially recognized in 1989, has been instrumental in revitalizing the historic downtown area. The program focuses on preserving the city's heritage while promoting economic development.
Downtown Denison is now home to over 300 independently owned businesses and hosts approximately 681 events annually, including art shows, music festivals, and community gatherings. The area features over 150 pieces of public art, contributing to its unique charm and appeal. Downtown Denison’s Main Street has been a semi-finalist for the Great American Main Street Award for the last five cycles (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025), making it one of the top eight downtowns in America for over half a decade. Downtown Denison’s visionary plan through 2030 directs a focused mission for strategic, positive growth.
Similarly, Sherman's comprehensive plan, adopted on October 17, 2022, outlines a vision for future growth and development over the next decade and beyond. The plan emphasizes community involvement and aims to guide the city's evolution while maintaining its historical character.
The revitalization of downtown Sherman and Denison harmoniously combines preserving historical charm with embracing modern development. Through strategic planning, community engagement, and economic initiatives, both cities create dynamic downtown areas that serve as cultural and economic hubs for residents and visitors. As these projects continue to unfold, Sherman and Denison are poised to offer enriched experiences that honor their past while confidently looking toward the future.
Our downtown exemplifies the character of our community and is a key reason a lot of businesses choose to start or relocate their operations to the area