Downtown revitalization could get a boost if Longview is selected to become a 2008 Texas Urban Main Street City.

At Thursday's regular meeting, the City Council gave its approval to seek the designation that will go far to assist Longview in its efforts to revitalize downtown, said Kelly Hall, Longview Partnership president.

"Longview's downtown is the most visible indicator of its community pride, along with its economic and social health," Hall said during a presentation Thursday to the City Council.

If selected, Longview Partnership and One Hundred Acres of Heritage would administer the program locally.

The One Hundred Acres of Heritage board plans to serve as the Main Street Advisory Board, and the Longview Partnership board would serve as the governing board.

Administered by the Texas Historical Commission statewide, the urban program is structured to be set up as a non-profit, generally funded with contributions from city government, said Debra Farst, state coordinator for the Texas Main Street Program.