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Sally Alvis eagerly sought the cultural districts program designation for Lufkin, an East Texas town, upon discovering its existence.
The cultural districts program was established in 2005 by state lawmakers with the aim of assisting cities in promoting their arts, particularly to tourists, and consequently boosting economic growth. This designation grants access to substantial grant funding, and ideally leads to an increase in sales tax revenue, property appraisals, and foot traffic.
Alvis had high hopes that the designation could assist in the revitalization of downtown Lufkin, a former industrial town aiming to rebuild itself in the ever-evolving era of technology. Furthermore, he believed that it would serve as an attractive incentive for new businesses to be enticed into the area.
Lufkin’s application was rejected by the Texas Commission on the Arts last month, despite Alvis’ years of effort.
“Being realists, we were aware that it was highly unlikely,” mentioned Alvis, acknowledging, “Certain deficits were beyond our capability to address.”
Lufkin faces an uphill climb in its quest to stay competitive in a rapidly expanding state, and the exertion and disappointment serve as evidence of this challenge.
Situated in the Piney Woods, a region characterized by rural towns with limited access to healthcare and employment opportunities, is a town of 34,000 residents. Lufkin, at the heart of East Texas, thrives on the local school district and church, which serve as the focal points of community life.
Lufkin’s population has been stagnant for years, even though it is the largest city within an 80 mile radius and a hub for health care and retail. Many of the surrounding East Texas counties are losing population, based on Census estimates, and ambitious students from the rural Piney Woods say they want to move to metro areas like Dallas, Austin or Houston, which offer greater opportunities for job growth and more entertainment options.
Since 2019, Alvis and Becca Chance, former chairs of the Angelina Arts Alliance, have dedicated their efforts to obtain a special designation for their town, aiming to make it more appealing to young individuals. To accomplish this goal, they established Lufkin Creative, a nonprofit organization entrusted with overseeing the cultural district. Motivated by their vision, the duo managed to gather a team of over 75 volunteers who collaborated in crafting a comprehensive proposal. The final submission to the Texas Commission on the Arts consisted of a 149-page document accompanied by a five-minute video.
According to Alvis, Lufkin’s application garnered a score of 818. This year, the successful applicants, Granbury and Garland, achieved scores ranging from 850 to 870. Although Alvis did not disclose the specific feedback received by Lufkin, it was mentioned that the evaluators commended their submission and advised them to reapply. Furthermore, the evaluators suggested the development of a “maker space” in the downtown area, which would serve as a hub for artists to create, showcase, and sell their artwork.
Whether Lufkin can allure employers and retain a robust workforce will determine its future. However, this presents a catch-22 situation. To attract new businesses, the town requires entertainment options that enhance the overall quality of life, something that could be facilitated by establishing a cultural district. Yet, to rationalize the investment in creating these amenities, a sizable population is necessary.
Lufkin Mayor Mark Hicks expressed his willingness to take calculated risks by allocating funds for community initiatives. He emphasized his determination to find solutions and overcome any obstacles that may arise, stating, “If someone says it’s not possible, I will explore every avenue to make it happen.”
Lufkin was founded in 1882 as a railroad town. A timber boom in the late 19th century produced hundreds of sawmills and led to a “golden era of expansion” during the pre-World War II era. Industrial expansion created jobs, and the town’s proximity to Sam Rayburn Reservoir and hunting lands made it a popular tourist destination.
Lufkin has faced a series of challenges in recent decades that have had a significant impact on the town. The oil industry collapse in the 1980s resulted in job cuts and economic stagnation. Additionally, the decline in demand for newsprint led to the closure of the paper mill in 2003, which had been a major source of employment for many generations. In the same year, General Electric acquired Lufkin Industries, one of the town’s largest employers and a top provider of technology for the oil and gas sector. Unfortunately, this takeover resulted in job cuts, and in 2015, the decision was made to shut down a significant portion of the company, specifically the iron foundry. Subsequent restructuring efforts only exacerbated the problem, leading to further job losses.
That decline was visible in Lufkin’s once-bustling downtown. By 1990, dilapidated and vacant buildings lined a quiet downtown street. The Pines Theater — at one time a fixture and center of entertainment — sat empty, its roof leaking and walls caved inward. The local arts scene was all but nonexistent.
“There was a prevailing sentiment that if people wanted to discover art, they would have to venture to Houston, New Orleans, or Santa Fe,” expressed Adell Becker, a former educator who now dedicates herself entirely to art. She continued, “Regrettably, our locality seemed devoid of any artistic activity.”
During the last twenty years, Becker and her husband Charlie have witnessed the emergence of locally-owned boutiques and restaurants, gradually bringing forth signs of a rejuvenated downtown area.
The year 2007 saw the opening of an art studio downtown by the Beckers, coinciding with the city’s acquisition of the Pines Theater. The city invested a substantial amount to renovate the theater. Fast forward to 2021, when Hicks assumed the mayoral position and shifted his attention towards downtown. As a real estate developer with ownership of numerous downtown properties, Hicks embarked on the revitalization of several dilapidated buildings. Among these, the Angelina Hotel underwent a thorough refurbishment, transforming into a vibrant establishment with ground-floor restaurants and boutiques, while the upper floors were converted into stylish lofts.
According to Becker, the true renaissance commenced when Hicks initiated the acquisition of properties.
The fact that Hicks possesses a significant portion of downtown does not appear to have raised concerns among the residents in terms of potential conflict of interest. On numerous occasions, Hicks voluntarily abstains from participating in city council votes related to the rezoning of his own properties.
Bob Samford, Lufkin’s director of economic development, has played a significant role in the city’s recent expansion. His efforts led to Lufkin being granted foreign trade zone status in 2019, which enables businesses to bypass federal import and export taxes. This advantageous designation has attracted various new enterprises, such as Gattefossé, a French company that established a manufacturing site, and Jefferson Enterprise’s $150 million pulp mill project.
Samford sees Lufkin as heading towards a prosperous future.
“We’re stepping up to the big leagues,” Samford confidently addressed the Lufkin school board during a recent work session, seeking their support in granting permission for a new company to establish operations within Lufkin’s foreign trade zone. “Lufkin, Texas is on the verge of experiencing remarkable growth.”
Seeking the cultural district designation was an additional step towards Lufkin’s development.
Research from the Texas Cultural Trust has found that towns with the cultural district designation experience significant economic growth by increasing sales tax revenue, raising appraised property taxes and driving population growth. For example, Winnsboro, which was designated as a cultural arts district in 2021, has received $199,000 in cultural district grant funding. And both sales tax and property tax collections have risen by more than 20%.
The cultural district program was established by state lawmakers with the aim of assisting communities in promoting their cultural and artistic assets. In its initial stages, the program did not have any funding allocated to it, but it granted the Texas Commission on the Arts the power to establish criteria for designating the districts. It was not until 2016 that the legislature started providing financial support to bolster the program.
Lawmakers have recently granted an extra $5 million to the program, extending the total funding to $7.5 million per year for the next two years. As of now, the commission has identified 54 cultural districts.
According to Christina Cavazos, executive director of Longview Arts, the entity in charge of the cultural district, Longview has witnessed the establishment of over 25 new locally-owned businesses since receiving its designation in 2019. Situated approximately 90 miles north of Lufkin, Longview is considered the nearest cultural hub to Lufkin.
Cavazos stated that there is a high demand for opening businesses downtown, yet our main street district has reached its maximum capacity. He added that this predicament is, in fact, a positive challenge to face.
Residents of Lufkin eagerly anticipate the day when this becomes a pressing matter. Alvis mentioned that the decision to reapply for the cultural district program lies in the hands of the Board of Lufkin Creative. Nevertheless, she and her team remain committed to progressing the development of the town’s arts.
Alvis expressed that achieving the designation would have been a fulfillment of their dreams. However, he emphasized that its absence does not hinder them in any manner. They continue to function as a cultural arts district in downtown Lufkin.
Disclosure: Texas Cultural Trust has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune’s journalism. Find a complete list of them here.
