The Evolution of Celina’s Downtown Renaissance

Special Contribution by Marc Rylander

History and progress often meet in Celina these days, but scarcely do they intersect as beautifully as they do on the parcel of land that was plotted under the supervision of J. Fred Smith in 1910. Smith was the Celina businessman who had the vision for, designed and built the historic Downtown Square. Much as it was when the project came together in an unprecedented 10 short months, the City’s centerpiece is now the premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. While just a short time ago, the Square seemed to have lost some of its shine, efforts over the past decades have transformed the landmark into one of the hottest and most sought-after pieces of real estate in North Texas.

“When we stepped into this new millennium in 2000, our once thriving Downtown had grown quiet and quite uninviting,” remembers Celina resident Corbett Howard, who then served as Mayor of Celina. “I remember meeting with 25 key stakeholders who shared the vision for a renaissance of Downtown Celina and who were willing to devote the necessary time and resources to returning the