Recipient of NCTCOG 2009 Sustainable Call for Projects Public Meeting January 28, 2016
Council Target Neighborhood 2004 2005-07: 8 meetings Strategy NLZ3: NEW GT CODE Casa View Heights Plan adopted by Council April 2007
Adopted by Council December 15, 2008 Council Goals Economic revitalization at neighborhood scale Distinct experience Pedestrian friendly Six public meetings Addition of on-street parking
North Central Texas Council of Governments 2009 Sustainable Development Call for Projects The Thomasson Square Project will revitalize an aging but significant commercial node in Mesquite by introducing an integrated mixture of land uses and enhancing bike and pedestrian connectivity. It will [create] an area that is physically, socially, and economically sustainable.
The Place-Making Dividend: When it comes to 21 st century economic development, a key concept is community differentiation. Without it, you have no competitive advantage. The Urban Land Institute
THE NITTY GRITTY OF PLACEMAKING IN INFILL SITUATIONS
Meets vertical mixed-use requirement No grant retainage - $375,000 $23 million investment First sizable private capital project for corridor in 30+ years
Traffic Counts 2009 20,000 2013 20,600 Level of Service A Single Lane 6,000 4-lane design 24,000 Traffic Counts 2009 21,000 2013 22,000
Traffic calming Reduce congestion Proven safe Enhance corridor
Cost Estimate Design = $700,000 Construction = $7,900,000 Total = $8,600,000* (*$3,000,000 NCTCOG grant) Spent Design = $620,000* Construction = $660,000 Total = $1,280,000 (*$268,537 reimbursed by NCTCOG)
Addison Circle Southlake Town Center LEGACY Roanoke West Village
What sets us apart? What s the first place people think of when Mesquite comes to mind? What is it that draws people to us? What places are we most proud of? What makes us relevant?
Addison Circle Southlake Town Center Legacy Town Center West Village Uptown West 7 th Fort Worth Mockingbird Station City Line Richardson Lewisville Downtown Roanoke Waxahachie, Grand Prairie, McKinney, Ennis, Grapevine, Argyle, Rowlett, Rockwall, North Richland Hills, Garland
Established Tax Increment Financing Zone November 2, 2015
TIF impacts 75% of increases in property tax value goes to TIF Finance other public improvements along Gus Thomasson Estimate to generate $8 million over 20 years Taxable values have started to climb 2014 to 2105 commercial properties risen 10% to 30%
Released on January 13, 2016 Closed on January 26, 2015; 5pm Total of 743 respondents
Respondents Within impact area 23.6% Outside impact area 76.4% Percent of Respondents' Inside the Boundary 23.57% 76.43% Inside Boundary Outside Boundary
Q1-Zip Code? 65% from 75150 23% from 75149 Q14-I consider the Gus Thomasson retail area an important part of the neighborhood. 17% YES-83%
Q4-53% Visit GT more than once per week 30% Visit GT once per week
Q5-What is your primary reason for frequenting this section of Gus Thomasson Road? 73% 42% 13% Conclusion: 53%-73% or a significant portion of respondents frequent this section of GT for business related purposes.
Q9-Is the traffic during the time you typically drive on Gus Thomasson Road between Karla and I-30 light, moderate, or heavy? 10% Light 67% Moderate 22% Heavy Q11-Do you notice the presence of pedestrians? 72% replied YES
Q10-During the time you normally visit Gus Thomasson Road between Karla and I-30 do you find drivers adhere to: Normal Excessive Irregular Conclusion: Moderate traffic, 60% excessive/irregular speed/patterns, with significant pedestrian presence.
Q2-Should the revitalization of older retail areas be a priority for the Mesquite City Council? YES-84% 16% Q3-Regarding the Gus Thomasson retail corridor, do you support economic incentives whereby the city partners with businesses to promote business growth and vitality? YES-83% 17%
Q8-Would you consider the Gus Thomasson area between I-30 and Karla Road an area that needs revitalization? YES-87% 13%
Q12-What businesses do you frequent in the Gus Thomasson area? AUTO-34% HARDWARE-33% GROCERY-41% RETAIL-53% 22% FOOD SERVICE-69%
Percent of Requests Walmart/Discount 5.35% Unique Retail/Clothing 27.74% Starbucks/Coffee 9.73% Specialty Shops 18.49% Resturants- Not Fast Food 46.23% Resturants- Fast Food 12.65% Other Offices/Medical None 3.16% 4.87% 5.84% Grocer: Upscale 20.68% Grocer: Any, not Walmart 27.74% Entertainment/Fitness 10.46% Don't Know or??? 3.89% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%
Q16-Did this survey cover all topics you feel are current challenges facing Gus Thomasson Road? YES-46% NO-21% OTHER-33%
Revitalize Restaurants with seating, not fast food Quality grocer Specialty shops Unique retail Traffic Slow it down Protect pedestrians Discourage cut-thru traffic
2009 NCTCOG Submittal & 2011 TxDOT Agreement Lane reduction from 6 to 4 lanes Add enhanced bicycle & pedestrian facilities Add landscaping Attract private mixed-use development
Significant change to scope will cause reevaluation 7 point difference between winning and losing $3 million grant at stake Adversely impact other private development plans Example - Retail plans in Villas at Vanston Park
Remember: 5 minutes per speaker Speak from the podium, use the microphone State your name and address Be courteous Only comment on Thomasson Square Project Staff will be available after the meeting for other issues