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About Us

The Friends of Downtown Friendswood Association (FDFA) is a volunteer organization dedicated to improving Friendswood’s Downtown. While Friendswood has grown from a small, close-knit Quaker community into a city of 40,000 residents, it still has maintained the charm and volunteer spirit of small Texas town. FDFA seeks to make the Downtown area the “heart and soul” of our wonderful community and represent what makes Friendswood a great place to call home.

Mission

To support the vision of Downtown Friendswood by enhancing its economic vitality, fostering community and civic partnerships and acting as the lead advocate for Downtown Friendswood.

Vision

Downtown Friendswood will be a visually appealing, pedestrian friendly, safe, traditional Texas small town that integrates cultural, commercial and residential activities that is recognized as the heart of the community.

Goals

Build membership & partnerships to foster & promote Downtown Friendswood
Provide a voice for Downtown Friendswood
Raise funds to allocate to Downtown Friendswood enhancement projects

History of FDFA

2/17/15 – Core group formed to discuss the steps of forming the initial steering committee, we began recruiting six initial members from all parts of the community
4/30/15 – 8- member Steering Committee had their meeting to discuss downtown and the desire to “give it a go” on revitalization.
5/21/15 – Steering Committee had 2^nd meeting, more folks invited, plans begin to form up for a downtown association
6/4/15 – Steering Committee had 3^rd meeting, more in attendance, it was decided to form a non-profit corporation named Friends of Downtown Friendswood Association (FDFA), website & Facebook establish for the association
7/4/15 – FDFA held its first promotional event in the park on 4^th of July, spreading the word about the new Downtown Association
7/16/15 – FDFA held an official Kick-Off Meeting at the historical Brown House in Downtown Friendswood, public was invited, over 50 in attendance.
7/28/15 – FDFA held its first Town Hall Meeting at the Friendswood Chamber of Commerce with public…visioning process began for Downtown.
8/12/15 – FDFA formally incorporates as a non-profit named Friends of Downtown Friendswood, Inc. dba Friends of Downtown Friendswood Association
8/21/15 – FDFA holds its first Board of Directors meeting with 15 members appointed, officers elected, and established an independent Advisory Board of eight members comprised of many prominent community leaders
9/29/15 – FDFA holds first fund raising event – Brizendine Residence
10/6/15 – FDFA Board expands to 16 members – many sub-committees are established
12/5/15 – FDFA Family & Friends in the Park Event – Christmas Concert
12/11/15 – FDFA Board expands to 20 members
2/1/16 – FDFA successfully got a 1/8 cent sales tax for Downtown Friendswood improvements on the May 2016 Ballot
3/5/16 – FDFA holds its inaugural Texas Music Fest celebrating Texas Independence Day. The event was a huge success with over 3,000 in attendance.
4/19/16 – FDFA hosts a “Not Your Father’s Town Hall” meeting on the sales tax initiative and Downtown Friendswood.
4/30/16 – FDFA hosts a get out the vote “Party on the Patio” event in support of the sales tax
5/7/16 – History is made in Friendswood. After 6 previous attempts over the past 20 years to pass a sales tax for downtown and/or economic development, with the support of FDFA, the citizens of Friendswood voted in the first ever sales tax to benefit Downtown Friendswood.
7/8/16 – FDFA becomes a recognized 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation
August 2016 -Announcement of Downtown’s first public art mural (begin fundraising)
9/5/16 – First Annual Labor Day Ice Cream Social to be held at the Frank J Brown Museum in partnership with the Friendswood Historical Society
9/13/16 – Board of Directors expands to 29 members
10/4/16 – Board of Directors expands to 31 members
October 2016 - FDFA in partnership with Heritage Gardeners Society hold the 1st Annual Downtown Scarecrow Contest
10/30/16 - FDFA commissions artist Anat Ronen to paint Downtown's first mural
11/15/16 - The "Friendswood Historical" mural is completed
3/4/17 - FDFA holds its 2nd Annual Texas Music Fest with Cory Morrow as the Headliner
May 2017 - FDFA with Friendswood Fine Arts, Chara Dance, Brasserie, & FISD put on the event "A Night of Culture & Cuisine"
August 2017 - FDFA presents Carousel Project to Friendswood City Council and the public...a proposal to build & operate a privately funded Carousel Park.
October 2017 - FDFA in partnership with Heritage Gardeners Society hold the 2nd Annual Downtown Scarecrow Contest