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Final Report March 1997 A local man in Duncan, Tennesse, with community support, developed the site of historic coke ovens into a park which spurred tourism in the area (Weaver and Wishard-Lambert, 1996 : 81). Southwest Texas State UniversitY SWT is an incredible cultural resource which our community could use for both our own benefit and to entice tourists to visit and prolong their stay in our community. Many people would be glad to pay what is really a nominal fee to see a stageplay, enjoy a concert, visit an art exhibit, or cheer for the SWT Bobcats in basketball or the SWT Renegades in rugby. Most people do not have the advantage of having a university in their town and so would be open to experiencing some of what our university has to offer. The use of our university by our fellow citizens and visitors is hampered by a lack of parking and a terrible lack of signage. These problems, at first glance, appear to be prohibitively expensive to correct. Yet, not every part ofthe university is in equally high demand by visitors. It would be helpful to conceptualize the university as an island. For an island, the transference of goods and people is critical to its well-being. The solution is the development of ports. SWT could support the development of "ports of entry" in those areas most accessed by visitors. A starting list for such ports could be: 1) Moon Drive serving both the JCK Administration Building and the Speech and Drama Center; 2) North LBJ off of Sessoms Drive serving the Music Building; 3) Guadalupe Street serving both the Evans Auditorium and the Alkek Library; 4) Moore Street serving the Glade Theater and Performing Arts & Conference Center; and nearby Academy Street serving the West Campus Athletic Field, where many sports clubs compete. If easily identifiable and secure parking along with appropriate way-faring signs were provided, both residents and visitors would be much more willing and able to take advantage of the fine cultural works offered. Another way of making SWT more accessible to both citizens and visitors would be for SWT or the SWT Development Foundation to establish a presence in the Central Business District. This presence would be large and visible enough to include the display of some pieces of the Southwestern Writers Collection and/or art work from SWT. The university employee who staffs the small facility would be able to direct visitors in how they could best find and enjoy that part ofthe university they wanted to access. This facility would increase both the visibility of what the university can offer guests and residents and the accessibility of those offerings. Other Cultural-Historical Sites There are other buildings in San Marcos with historical significance which are vacant and deteriorating besides our World War II airport structures. The second j ail in Hays County at 170 Fredricksburg Street could be restored and would add value to its neighborhood and our town and enrich our historical architectural heritage. Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee on Tourism Development Eage 13