City Seeking Input on North End Revitalization for Tyler 1st Plan

TYLER — As part of the Tyler 1st comprehensive planning process, the City of Tyler is seeking input from residents about the future of North End Revitalization. Residents may provide input in two ways:

· By sharing ideas for North End Revitalization and housing improvements on Tyler Speaks, an online forum hosted on the City of Tyler website. Go to http://www.cityoftyler.org and click on Tyler Speaks.
· At a Public Open House from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. today at Neighborhood Services, 900 W. Gentry Pkwy.

The Tyler Speaks question is: “What approaches would you like to see incorporated into the City’s revitalization and affordable housing efforts? These efforts could include things such as new houses, infrastructure or commercial incentives.” Tyler Speaks is an online forum for civic engagement that was incorporated into the City of Tyler’s web site. Users may read what others are saying about important Tyler topics, and then post their own statements. City officials will read the statements and incorporate them into their decision process during the Tyler 1st Comprehensive Plan update.

Tyler 1st is the City’s comprehensive plan. It was originally adopted by the City Council on Nov. 14, 2007 after nearly 18 months of community involvement and input. This 20-year plan created a strategic framework for future actions for the City and defines a vision for the future linked to overall goals and policies. The plan contains strategies and action items for achieving the goals.

The plan calls for annual reports to City Council on the status of implementation as well as a comprehensive review every three to five years to revisit the vision, goals and principles. A steering committee has been appointed by Mayor Barbara Bass to oversee this five-year update to the plan. The committee is meeting monthly to review each chapter of the plan and to determine what revisions are needed to align the plan with changing community dynamics.

“The Steering Committee has already reviewed the Vision, Principles, Parks, Open Space, and Lakes, and Transportation elements of the plan,” said City Planner Heather Nick. “Getting citizen input is critical to ensuring the plan reflects the vision of the entire community.” Tyler 1st addresses issues such as downtown revitalization, historic preservation, parks and recreation, transportation, housing and neighborhoods.

Background on the North End Revitalization:

The 2007 Comprehensive Plan separated the recommended North End Revitalization areas into two sub-areas: North Tyler and West Tyler. The North Tyler sub-area contains all properties north of Highway 31 but not including the downtown area. The West Tyler sub-area contains properties south of Highway 31, west of Vine Avenue, north of Old Jacksonville Highway and east of Loop 323.

North Tyler improvements include ten revitalized properties sold, 38 Housing Improvement Programs in process, 12 Neighborhood Empowerment Works projects, five Community Development Block Grant projects, and adoption of the Texas College Area Development Plan. West Tyler improvements include the construction of Earl Campbell Parkway to connect Vine Street to Loop 323 and initiating a public/private partnership with Centene to open a new facility.