Investment vital for Ennis’ downtown
, Publisher
07-13-2010
Downtown Ennis remains the heart of the city.
Despite growth along the U.S. 287 corridor and substantial growth on Interstate 45 over the decades, the downtown area remains a vibrant, though aging part of the city.
The recent renovations on the old courthouse on the corner of Dallas Street and Ennis Avenue shows a renewed sense of passion for the epicenter of the city by a local investor.
That desire to bring business and offer a much-needed facility for banquets in Ennis should give all who’ve invested their hard work and profits to remaining in downtown a sense of pride.
Nothing tells more about a city than its downtown area. Though our railroad, which also runs through the heart of the city, is the true beginning of Ennis back in the late 1800s, the downtown buildings hold so much history that the renovation of an old building is a testament to the loyalty of the people in this town who care.
Local banker Bramlet Beard’s vision for the facility shows his interest in keeping downtown vibrant. Currently, most storefronts remain open in downtown. This is not the case in many cities in the U.S. where Interstate traffic has moved its center in one direction or another.
While change isn’t necessarily a bad thing, interstate and highway growth like what we see here in Ennis should be in addition to what we already have, not a replacement for it. The makeover of the building right in the middle of downtown, one of the most visible locations in Ennis, is tremendous for downtown.
Numerous businesses in the city — along with the taxpayers of Ennis via city commissioners — have invested thousands in keeping these aging buildings vibrant.
We commend Mr. Beard for his vision for the city and sense of entrepreneurship. We encourage all who are planning an event that ordinarily would have funneled to Dallas or Waxahachie to tour the facility upon completion. Business continues to lead our city into the future — both industrially and through local retail. The risk will be worth the reward for the citizens of Ennis.
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