For decades, dozens of small businesses in downtown Wichita Falls have worked hard to make a living.
After years of quietly getting by, one business owner fears a proposition in May bond could change – or end – a way of life for her and at least 16 nearby businesses.
Proposition D, one of seven bond items to be voted on May 5, is for a $77-million municipal complex to be built downtown. The complex would combine most city offices, the police department and central fire station.
The city has a few location in mind for the complex – but the first choice is between Third and Fifth streets from Scott to Ohio avenues.
Most Wichitans may not even know they exist, but, within that four-block area, there are at least 16 active businesses. The total does not even include other shops and businesses that do not have a sign or store front.
Some spots have thrived here for years, others are new renters attracted to the low overhead for start-up businesses.
Small business, big dreams for veterans
Nicole and Chad Staelens are co-owners of Pinnacle Remodeling, located in the 400 block of Scott.
The business remodels kitchens and bathrooms for a variety of clientele.
The couple moved to Wichita Falls in 2008, while Nicole was serving in the military. After she was medically retired, Nicole said they could have moved "anywhere they wanted," but chose to make Wichita Falls home.
Both said they liked the small-town feel of the city, easy traffic and welcoming community.
Chad – also a veteran – began the remodeling business as something he could do while the couple was moving frequently with the military.
When they came to town, the business operated out of their home before moving to the downtown location in 2011.
The brick-and-mortar site, Chad said, adds a level of credibility and professionalism to what they do.
After hearing about the bond proposition in February that could displaced them, Nicole spoke with business neighbors to gather their opinions on the issue.
“Just about everyone doesn’t want to leave,” Nicole said.
Making downtown buildings their own
Between the travel center and the core of downtown are blocks of hit-and-miss businesses. Long-forgotten empty lots sit next to thriving businesses, icons of the town next to refurbished shops with big dreams.
Chad said after acquiring their building, they put their "life savings" into making it attractive, while keeping the historic feel of the area.
They took efforts to paint the exterior the same color as the nearby Multi-Purpose Events Center and the trim of Pat’s Burgers. The couple kept original doors and brick – merging old with the new.
“We (Pinnacle and neighboring businesses) are the only ones striving to make improvements. There’s not even a sidewalk around here,” Chad said.
Nicole turned to social media to gauge the community opinion on the proposition.
“Many people did not realize there were businesses down there. Some thought there was just some empty lots,” she said.
Business owners get the word out
She decided to create a petition through Change.org, titled "Stop Wichita Falls Proposition D: Municipal Government Center."
On Thursday afternoon, the petition had 222 signatures.
“I know the petition itself is not going to affect votes, but I wanted to get the word out to as many people as possible as quickly as possible,” Nicole said.
The Staelens say they are not against the municipal complex, but would like it to be in another location.
Historical staples of the community
Nicole said she agrees with problems the city has noted such as overcrowding at the police department, a deteriorating part of Memorial Auditorium building and handicap-accessibility.
She feels the city could scout other locations with fewer businesses on the property.
“These businesses have been here, they are staples of the community,” she continued.
Wichita Feed Store, for example, has been at their location in the 300 block of Indiana for 80 years. People come from miles away to do business here – the last distributor in the area to make their own grain for feed. Nicole said the store recently invested in new mills on the site.
Chad said customers have come to rely on these businesses, trust them and know where to find them.
Parks Produce, in the 400 block of Indiana, is a small produce distributor that provides items to many local restaurants and the public.
Some stores have made expensive renovations recently, while others are putting improvements on hold until after the bond election results.
Is there a Plan B?
Nicole said they are not sure what they will do if this bond item passes and they’re forced to move, or close, the business.
Like many of their neighbors, the couple has spent thousands of dollars on remodeling their property.
The fair-market value the city has said they will offer is “pennies,” the couple says, compared to the cost of relocating and rebuilding a business.
If approved, Nicole said in the petition, the municipal complex will affect everyone’s taxes, but does not provide things the city really needs.
“The building of this new municipal center will most certainly be 'nice' for the staff that will occupy these buildings but it will not do anything for the city. It will not bring in any new businesses but destroy established ones who bring in citizens from surrounding cities,” Nicole writes in the petition.
These 16-plus business owners that have made this niche of downtown their home are the type of people we need in this community, Nicole said. She fears if they are forced to relocate, many of these businesses would collapse.
“They are why we have been here so long and why we want to stay here,” she said.
The Change.org petition can be found here.
More stories about the Wichita Falls May bond election can be found here:
More: Bond election: City unveils first municipal center renderings