The Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce facilitated an informational forum Thursday at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall to provide details on the seven bond proposals in the upcoming election. Torin Halsey
At the Falls Future Forum Thursday, the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce presented a compelling case that the viability of the city depends on positive response to seven bond propositions during the May 5 election.
The city of Wichita Falls has the momentum behind it to become a thriving community where people want to live and work and the only thing holding us back is ourselves, said Chamber CEO and President Henry Florsheim.
Findings from an economic strategy study by Market Street consultants are being finalized this month. The implementation of that strategy meshes directly with the proposed bond projects.
During the nearly three-hour forum, Florsheim highlighted issues that impede prosperity, five goals for the community and seven catalysts for growth.
Proposition G for downtown streetscapes, Florsheim said, is necessary because a welcoming downtown starts with what people see first.
He displayed a recent picture of a sidewalk intersection at 10th Street and Scott Avenue with crumbling concrete and tree roots causing the uneven walkway to protrude inches into the air.
“People say, ‘Well this is just Wichita Falls. We can’t have nice things,’” but we can if voters approve Proposition G, Florsheim said.
The most contested proposal, according to the Chamber, has been Proposition D for a municipal complex. This center – housing city, police and fire offices – would put revitalization efforts front and center.
The $77-million center and parking at a currently low-traffic area along Scott would bring hundreds of people each day to the heart of downtown.
The more than 16 businesses housed at this location would be offered fair-market value for their businesses and offered relocation help.
Florsheim promised that members of the business community stand at the ready to assist these businesses with relocation and getting the word out about the move.
Steve Wood, a project architect with BYSP, said the city offices in Memorial Auditorium, police station and central fire station were all built in the 1960s with few renovations since that time.
Ceilings are falling down at Memorial, walls are separating from each other and some offices have become so unsafe that employees are forced to move to another part of the building.
The police station has inadequate office space and parking, no public restrooms and requires a million-dollar roof replacement.
BYSP is still in the process of reviewing the renovation work needed for each of these buildings and cost estimates – if the bond Prop D does not pass.
Early estimates for renovating the city offices at Memorial Auditorium are about $30 million, and up to $120 million to make all three buildings usable that could be replaced with the municipal complex.
Florsheim said some people are worried that, if the bond passes, there will not be money for city employee raises.
To that, he said if Prop D passes, they would sell the unneeded buildings and not have to spend the millions on repairs.
If the proposition fails, the repairs will still need to be done – taking millions out of the general fund, meaning fewer dollars available for raises.
While city offices would be moved to the new center, Memorial Auditorium will remain in place as an arts and entertainment venue.
Proposition F would provide a sound system, curtains, lighting and rigging for Memorial's stage.
Val Liberatore with the Wichita Fall Ballet Theatre said, when his students perform at Memorial, his group must bring in their own lighting, rigging and rent sound equipment.
With a past of hosting performers from Elvis to Willie Nelson, Liberatore said a vote for Proposition F is a vote to preserve history.
Proposition E adds needed upgrades to the Multi-Purpose Events Center.
Propositions A and B are for parks improvements and Lake Wichita amenities.
If Proposition A is approved the 26-mile Circle Trail – a pedestrian and bike concrete path around the city would be nearly complete.
The proposition also includes trail spurs from Holliday to Sikes Lake and Ohio Street to Sheppard Air Force Base, repaving of Lake Wichita parking lot and artificial turf for some athletic fields.
Proposition B includes the final section of Circle Trail along the lake with matching grants to build a boardwalk by the site of the former Pavilion and a veterans' memorial plaza.
Completion of the trail would assist the economic strategy goal of becoming a bike-friendly community.
Stacie Cook, general manager of the Wichita Falls Country Club, said the city is aiming to earn bronze level within five years as a designated bike-friendly community through the League of American Bicyclists.
Issues facing the city, she said, are that Wichita Falls has trouble attracting and retaining residents and that the city is relatively unknown outside of North Texas.
While the city is known for the Hotter'N Hell Hundred race, the event is not enough to make people want to move here.
Other speakers at Thursday's forum included Michael Olaya of Dexter Learning, Gonzalo Robles with Café con Leche, and DeAndrea Davis of Prothro Blair Financial.
Olaya said he grew up in Wichita Falls, but – like many local kids – had plans to leave as soon as possible.
After working in Austin, he came back to the city to start Dexter Learning – a center for learning, teaching and working with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) programs for kids and adults.
Olaya, whose company is headquartered in Big Blue, said he loves the feel of the developing downtown area and would not have stayed in Wichita Falls without the positive changes in the past few years.
He said people come to his office and other enterprising places in the city and say “this doesn’t feel like Wichita Falls.”
One day, he hopes, people will just say “this is Wichita Falls.”
Early voting for the May election begins Monday, April 23. Election day is Saturday, May 5.
More information about the city economic strategy and proposed bonds can be found at fallsfuture.com.