Marble Falls eyes growth, affordable housing for future
The Scott & White Specialty Clinic-Marble Falls is part of the Baylor Scott & White Hospital-Marble Falls, which is expected to be completed in August. The facility is located at the intersection of U.S. 281 and Texas 71 in Marble Falls. File photo
CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER
MARBLE FALLS — City leaders believe they must strike a balance between the needs of aging infrastructure within the community and investing in future growth and development, according to discussions during a city planning retreat June 9.
Marble Falls Mayor John Packer said the so-called “visioning” session unveiled what the Marble Falls City Council believes should be the top priorities for the community.
“We spent time planning about what we think we want Marble Falls to look like over the next 20 years, what things are important to us, so that we can make shorter-term plans based on those visions,” he said.
Packer was a council member for four years before being elected mayor in May. He also serves on the Marble Falls Economic Development Corp., which works to encourage business growth in the area.
“We realize we are the retail hub for the area, and we also realize we are a tourist destination for the area,” he said. “We’ll be those regardless, so how do we capitalize on those things?”
Council members expect concentrated residential and commercial growth in the next 10-20 years around a newly constructed hospital at the U.S. 281 and Texas 71 intersection.
The Baylor Scott & White Hospital-Marble Falls, located on Texas 71 just off U.S. 281, is a 46-bed, 188,000-square-foot, four-story facility expected to be open in August.
The city has annexed several hundred acres at that intersection in an area known as Gregg Ranch, expected to be developed to include 1,500 homes. Also at that intersection, Flatrock Springs encompasses a potential 1,000-acre development.
“The growth is what’s going to help fund some of our new infrastructure, but also growth in our real estate values and revenue from that will help with much-needed repairs on the roads and infrastructure,” he said.
Packer said the empahsis on development for the community would move the city away from such a heavy reliance on sales-tax revenue.
“We are very dependent on our sales tax right now. So if the economy slows down, it affects our revenue significantly,” he said. “In the long term, we’d like to see a shift where property taxes are a bigger portion. But not by raising taxes but by encouraging development around the city.”
As development takes shape, he believes more revenue would help fund projects to improve city services.
“Obviously, we have old infrastructure that needs to be repaired, updated, upgraded, and we’ll have new infrastructure also (with development),” he said. “There’s talk about what our vision is to get those things back up to where they need to be.”
Other discussion included laying the groundwork for affordable housing efforts, both single-family and multi-family residential units, in the heart of the city, referred to as the “old Marble Falls” neighborhoods east and west of U.S. 281.
connie@thepicayune.com
4 thoughts on “Marble Falls eyes growth, affordable housing for future”
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Marble Falls does need a parking area near Johnson Park and downtown Marble Falls. We need to attract some really good restaurants to the area, not just fast food. Most nights, the ones we have are full in the spring and summer especially.
A regional sport park is needed. Would Generate revenue by hosting tkurnaments that bring ot of town teams.
I hope Mayor Packer and City Council have considered allowing a parking garage to be built in the vacant lot directly south of the Library. This area is a logical place for parking for visitors to walk to the downtown shopping areas and also during events like the annual boat races, Christmas Light display, and events in Johnson Park to allow many more people to attend.
A nominal parking fee would aid tax income and help cover the cost of the parking garage.
Would love to see some Seniors Only affordable apartments near new S&W clinic/hospital. Something geared to those of us who get too much in retirement funds to qualify for assistance but not enough to afford high end apartment rentals or buy a home. Right now I can drive around the lake, but only a matter of time until that will come to an end and transportation will be an issue. The CARTS bus is an option, but almost impossible to get seat in morning as the bus is full of MHMR riders who ride every day. Also have to stay at clinic until late afternoon as the bus also takes MHMR riders home. If enough Seniors lived nearby, maybe S&W or Apts could provide shuttle for a price. Just a suggestion. Have talked to several others with same dilemma who think it would be a nifty idea. Evbyen some from other places who would like to move here if available housing.