Council Begins Annexation Proceedings of UTHSCT

TYLER — The City of Tyler has started the process to annex the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. At yesterday’s meeting, the city council authorized a service plan and setting the dates, times and places for public hearings on the proposed annexation. The health center is located on about 593.11 acres of land located at the northwest intersection of State Highway 271 and State Highway 155.

“As illustrated in the Industry Growth Initiative plan, the higher education and Healthcare industries are critical components of Tyler’s local economy,” said Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass. “Healthcare provides for more than 25,000 jobs in our region and has an economic impact estimated at $3.1 billion. By annexing the UTHSCT into Tyler city limits, we will be taking an important step in continuing to support and grow these industries.”

The voluntary annexation of the campus was initiated by representatives of UTHSCT and is allowed under the State Annexation Law in the Texas Local Government Code. “We are pleased to see this process move forward,” said Dr. Kirk Calhoun, president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. “We look forward to becoming a part of Tyler not only in name, but as a partner in our city’s future growth and development.” Following the action taken Wednesday by the City Council, the proposed annexation will now be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their Feb.7 meeting.

Under Texas Local Government Code, it is necessary to conduct two separate public hearings to consider the proposed annexation. The first public hearing will be held on February 22 at 9:00am in the City Council Chambers. A second public hearing will be held on March 7, at 9:00am, also at the City Council Chambers. Final consideration of the Annexation Ordinance will be considered by the City Council at its regularly scheduled City Council meeting on March 28. The Service Plan will be available for review in the Planning and Zoning Department prior to the first public hearing.

“This is a major step forward in the growth of our City,” said City Manager Mark McDaniel. “Healthcare education is so important to maintaining our high levels of medical care in East Texas and equally as valuable in providing jobs.”