They feel like it's too long of a distance to drive back. Center City defines its area of Amarillo bounded by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks on the north and east, 15th Avenue on the south and Washington Street on the west, said executive director Penelope Davies . She said downtown is primarily home to government offices, law firms, physicians' offices, insurance companies and some commercial areas. Downtown has something for everyone with the Civic Center as its mecca, Davies said. She noted evening performances of the symphony, ballet, opera and drama plus sports competitions draw people into downtown at night.
Restaurants offer entertainment and dining with abundant, convenient parking.
Center City sponsors special evening events like the December Electric Light Parade in conjunction with the city of Amarillo, and the Polk Street block party planned for Aug. 18, she said. The facade grant funds are restricted for use within the area defined by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks on the north and east, 12th Avenue on the south and Van Buren Street on the west, she said. Randy TenBrink of the Amarillo Police Department said downtown visitors need not be concerned about their safety if they keep several things in mind. Visitors to downtown need to use a heightened sense of awareness because buildings come very close to the street and there are more dark alleys where someone might hide and a pedestrian might not see them,'' he said. If someone doesn't want to be approached, that's something you need to watch for.