Thanks to the generosity of several businesses from Tyler’s building community who have donated labor and materials, the new home for the City Main Street Department, visitors’ center and art gallery is nearing completion and is expected to open at the end of August.
“We can’t thank the building community enough for playing such a critical role in bringing this plan to fruition,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “Local architect Ron Mabry, Jacobe Brothers Construction, Mosby Mechanical and many others have made this project a true gem in the heart of downtown. Because of their generosity and commitment, we have something far greater than we expected.”
In 2008, the City Council approved a measure to create the Main Street Department and allocated funding to renovate office space in downtown to house the new department, a downtown visitors’ center, the Heart of Tyler 501c3 as well the new Gallery Main Street. Because the renovation costs were much higher than expected due to the condition of the structure, the plans were to be to be scaled back significantly to ensure the project was kept within the planned budget. That is when the local development community stepped in to help.
“When I heard that the City was going to renovate the space on the downtown square, I knew I wanted to help,” said Mabry. “I contacted the City and asked if I could design a really special space for the gallery.”
Mabry donated his architectural services as well as mobilized the development community to donate labor and materials to create a very special home for the Main Street Department, the visitors’ center and art gallery. The adaptive reuse project retains many of the building’s original design elements, such as exposed brick, pillars and bead board, while incorporating modern minimalist design for the improvements.
Several other local contractors also got on board to bring this plan in under budget. Jacobe Brothers Construction provided a great deal of the labor, demolition, framing and trim carpentry work.
“My family has been in business in Tyler for three generations,” said Bryan Jacobe, president and co-owner of Jacobe Brothers Construction. “I think this project will be really wonderful for downtown and I wanted to do what I could to help. It also was an interesting project because of the blend of contemporary construction with the historic elements in the space.”
Mosby Mechanical also played a critical role in the project by donating the HVAC system and plumbing.
“It is not often that an opportunity to be part of something like this comes up,” shared Steve Brown, owner of Mosby Mechanical. “This gallery will draw people to Tyler and will be instrumental in the effort to revitalize downtown.”
The renovation will be complete by mid-August and the grand opening for the gallery is planned for Aug. 28.
“It is very fulfilling to see this project nearing completion,” commented Council Member Chris Simons. “An entire chapter of the Tyler 21 Plan was dedicated to revitalizing downtown and a big part of that vision is to create a destination downtown. Between the purchase of the Liberty Theatre, significant private reinvestment and now this project, we are well on our way!”
To date, the businesses who have contributed to the project include:
Acme Brick
Commercial Door and Hardware
Cook Sheet Metal and Roof
Designer Graphics
East Texas Refrigeration
Fixture This Inc.
Independent Glass and Mirror
Jacobe Brothers Construction
Kassaw and Dietz Inc.
Lowes
Morris Drywall Systems
Morrison Supply
Mosby Mechanical
Nix Construction Inc.
Ron Mabry Architects
Sherwin Williams Paint Company
Swan Electrical, Inc.
Sword Company
Vic and Christi Taylor
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