It’s impossible to ignore the progress, and ever-growing buzz of activity, in the downtown Wichita Falls area. No one person, or even group of people, can be given credit for this growth. It is no doubt, though, that the Iron Horse Pub has played a role by being an anchor in the core of downtown for 17 years.
Without a doubt, one of the big players in turning downtown back into a Wichita Falls hot spot is the Downtown Wichita Falls Development organization. There is a board that helps to guide this organization, but the driving force and day to day operators of DWFD is Jeanette Charos. She deals with the logistics, public relations, and headaches that come with such a large task.
Events such as the St. Paddy’s Day Festival, Cajun Fest, Watermelon Fest, Art & Soul, and City Lights are all produced by the Downtown Development team. It is revenue from these events that help fund the downtown beautification projects. These events also bring both Wichita Falls residents and out of towners to the downtown area. The largest of these events is the City Lights Parade, which brings in 15-20k people to kick off the holiday season. This year’s city lights event will take place on November 18 and will be themed “A Story Book Christmas”. There will be approximately 100 floats in the parade.
Their largest beautification project to date is the three year renovation of the Zales building at 8th & Ohio which returned it to its 1920’s facade to help entice buyers. It was DeBores Pawn Shop when purchased, and was boarded up and abandoned. The purchase was made with funds raised through events, memberships, and funding, raising opportunities such as Texoma gives. The plan worked and the building was recently purchased by Amber Schacter (Ganache Cupcake Lounge, The Yard). Amber plans on relocating Ganache from its Parker Square location, and reinventing the venue to include a fine dining area and downtown delivery.
With the Zales building gone, the Downtown Wichita Falls Development team is looking for another building to renovate. Indiana and Scott street seem to be evolving on their own, so much of DWFD’s focus has been on Ohio Avenue. Most likely their next renovation project will be on Ohio as well.
Although renovating massive, historic buildings is exciting and captures the attention of a large audience, “the devil is in the details”. It takes so 
much more than some paint and plaster to revitalize a community. It takes a culture shift. To help gain and maintain momentum in this downtown culture shift, DWFD steadily makes improvements in smaller ways to beautify downtown and help make it more functional. One of the ways they have done this recently is by installing new trash and recycling bins in the area, which they bought and maintain. Currently DWFD is working on installing benches in key locations around the downtown area, says Charos. Phase one will see the installation of about 6 benches with the end goal being close to twenty. Street-scaping and bicycle racks are on the horizon for downtown beautification as well.
The future is bright for downtown. The events and renovation projects that Downtown Wichita Falls Development produce are, without a doubt, a major factor in new life blossoming in the heart of Wichita Falls. Their hard work has drawn much attention and has encouraged others to join in. 8th Street Coffee House, who has been pushing downtown progress years before it was popular, is currently undergoing a massive expansion. There are twenty-eight residential apartments under construction above the coffee house, a sculpture garden is being planned, blue prints are drawn up for a beer garden, and art is exploding everywhere. There’s also been interest in making downtown a wifi hotspot by installing transmitters on light poles.
Individuals who want to support downtown can become DWFD members by registering at
www.downtownproud.com.
