Tyler

Spirits at a ribbon-cutting for downtown Tyler's newly designated Business, Arts and Culture (BAC) District weren't dampened by severe weather that moved through the region earlier in the day on Friday.

"This is an exciting day for downtown," said Tyler City Councilman Chris Simons.

The new designation paves the way for "art studios, ceramics operations, framing stores, art workshops, photography and other arts businesses" to take up residence in downtown, according to city officials.

Susan Guthrie, city of Tyler communications director, said the Downtown Business, Arts and Culture District is a direct outcome of the Tyler 21 plan, and the ribbon-cutting highlighted major steps already taken to set the downtown plans in motion.

"We've just had the purchase of the Liberty Theater, the East Texas Symphony Orchestra announcing they're moving downtown, the passage of the Unified Development Code and Heart of Tyler's Half Mile of History program," Ms. Guthrie said. "These things are really starting to create some synergy downtown."

On Friday, Mayor Joey Seeber said there's more to come.

"A healthy downtown is essential to our community," he said. "And some exciting things are in the works, so fasten your seatbelts and hold on."