Medical District Area Development Plan Presented
Posted/updated on: January 27, 2011 at 12:56 pm
TYLER — The Tyler City Council heard a presentation Wednesday on the creation of the Medical District and Tyler Junior College Area Development Plan. City officials say the plan is an outgrowth of the Tyler 21 Comprehensive Plan and the Industry Growth Initiative (IGI). According to officials, the plan will help guide the future development of the area. The planning area encompasses approximately 1,062 acres surrounding the medical district and the Tyler Junior College campus contained in the boundaries of Front Street and Broadway Avenue to Fifth Street and Old Omen Road.
City officials say, “The objective of the IGI is to pinpoint the industries that make the most sense to focus resources on given Tylers unique characteristics so we may foster an Innovation Economy and take the Tyler region into the next 20 years of economic prosperity and growth.” According to city press materials, the healthcare sector supports more than 25,000 jobs in the Tyler region, making it Tylers largest industry in terms of employment and economic impact. Officials say launching an area development plan for the medical district is one of the first steps the City of Tyler is taking to help foster growth in this industry.
The IGI identified the medical industry as a key opportunity for Tylers economic future, said Mayor Barbara Bass. Developing a plan for how the district should look, how people will find their way around, how traffic will move and how land will be used are all important to continuing to grow this industry that is Tylers largest employment sector.
City staff has created a project schedule and met with Tyler Junior College, East Texas Medical Center and Trinity Mother Frances to share preliminary data. Officials say city staff will soon begin seeking the input of stakeholders, students and area residents. The stated goal of the Plan is to consider the impact on future land use, infrastructure and pedestrian connections within the areas. The scope of the area development plan will include the following elements:
* Public/stakeholder involvement;
* Land use/zoning;
* Transportation/pedestrian connections; and,
* Environmental/aesthetic design issues.
The plan is scheduled to take approximately 11 months to complete, with a final draft scheduled to be presented to the City Council in December 2011.
