The second Downtown Workshop session with the Forney City Council, the Forney Economic Development Council, and the Planning and Zoning Commission was held at City Hall on Monday, October 8. Though the first meeting of the three City entities in September was a brainstorming session, this meeting was about moving forward with a strategic plan for downtown.
The second Downtown Workshop session with the Forney City Council, the Forney Economic Development Council, and the Planning and Zoning Commission was held at City Hall on Monday, October 8. Though the first meeting of the three City entities in September was a brainstorming session, this meeting was about moving forward with a strategic plan for downtown.
City Manager Brian Brooks explained that the group would need to “identify short-term, mid-term, and long-term action items for the strategic plan.” He gave each group member a ballot on which they would later choose which items they felt could be completed in the next two years, which would take up to four years, and which action items could possibly be completed outside of four years.
The action items discussed at the meeting included sidewalk repairs and making downtown more pedestrian friendly. The possibility of moving utility poles and lines underground, or relocating them behind buildings was also discussed. It could cost millions to move the poles and lines underground, but a photo slide was shown to display what a huge difference that would make to the appearance of downtown Forney.
Brooks brought up the possibility of “Quiet Zones” in downtown. A QZ would allow for the the daily barrage of trains running through Forney to not have to sound their horns while passing by the four downtown intersections. The possibility of closing one or more of the downtown rail crossings, such as the one on Elm Street, was also discussed. Another major project being considered is the reconfiguration of FM 740 (Bois D'arc). A drawing was displayed which showed that road splitting into two one way roads, one heading north and the other heading south, on either side of the downtown core. Each one way road would have two lanes and could increase the accessibility into the downtown area.
Major items up for discussion included an alcohol variance which would allow for the sale of alcohol in downtown restaurants. Mayor Rozell referenced a community survey that showed ¾ of the respondents want restaurants and fine dining there. Rozell said, “I believe if you're going to have viable restaurants downtown...you're not going to get fine dining without alcohol.”
Brooks also listed the probability of limiting office space in downtown, as a key action item. Brooks, speaking about the number of offices along Bois D'arc and Main said, “Ultimately this is a huge detractor for what happens after 5 p.m. in downtown.” EDC Director Kim Buttram pointed out that there were eight potential downtown business owners siting behind her that want to be a part of the revitalization effort. She also notedt that getting the cooperation of building owners in updating their buildings to be viable for anything but office space has been difficult at best. Rozell stated that they aren't trying to kick out existing businesses but that, “a professional office is not an economic driver for downtown.”
A Rent or Renovation Assistance program is something the City would like to establish to help subsidize rents for targeted businesses. It could include giving assistance to property owners or tenants to help fix structural needs. Buttram said that this is the biggest issue on the list because it is keeping new restaurants and shops from opening downtown. Property owners don't want to spend tens of thousands of dollars renovating their building and potential business tenants cannot afford to spend that kind of money on a building they don't own.
An additional action item being considered is the possibility of purchasing all or part of the FISD property, otherwise known as the former First Baptist Church property on Bois D'arc. The property has 5.1 acres and 55,000 sf of building space, as well as a huge parking lot. If the City did purchase the entire property, it could cost over 3.5 million dollars, and they would likely demolish some of the buildings. City Council member James Hatley said, “I think it's incumbent on us to come up with a method to purchase that property.”
The final action items that were discussed included establishing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District that would dedicate property tax growth for downtown development. This would not be an additional tax for the community. The City would also like to establish a “dedicated downtown fund” which would be a permanent fund to help with downtown improvements. A TIF could be a part of that fund. They would also establish a set percentage of sales tax from new businesses along Highway 80 that would go directly to a fund to help renovate and revitalize historic downtown Forney.
A third workshop is being scheduled for November.
