During their annual spring retreat in March, Lewisville City Council members discussed their priorities for the year, approving nine that will guide staff members in the budgeting and timing of work projects.
The council identified “affordable housing” as a top concern in Lewisville due to increasing rents.
Officials claim that housing costs in the city have doubled since 2014. Council members want to encourage the development of workforce housing by “continued use of the Public Facility Corporation, public-private partnerships, creating pre-approved designs for backyard cottages, and other tools to creatively develop and redevelop affordable housing stock in Lewisville,” according to the city’s website.
The city will also work with local nonprofits to provide mortgage assistance to homeowners behind on their payments and will complete a housing study to identify gaps in the housing stock.
Moving forward on redeveloping the Vista Mall property and its surrounding area is another council priority.
The city will work to facilitate partnerships and agreements between property owners and developers. The masterplan already in place for the site will bring “new housing, business, entertainment, leisure, and open space opportunities for current and future Lewisville residents,” according to the city website.
Both of these priorities are part of the Lewisville 2025 Vision Plan, which the city adopted in 2014.
The city will also focus on the maintenance or renovation of existing infrastructure and facilities, including roads, sidewalks, alleys, connectivity, and public buildings, as well as begin new construction on the Tittle McFadden Public Safety Center and the Fire Training Tower.
Council members have also prioritized the maintenance of existing parks and the construction of new park facilities, working toward the city’s 10-Minute Walk to a Park goal. The idea of the initiative is to make a high-quality park or green space experience available to all residents within a 10-minute stroll from home.
Planning and development will continue in the Lake District/Northern Gateway and Old Town areas and along the Business 121 corridor.
The city will also give attention to employee recruitment, development, and retention and work toward its internal goals in the areas of “justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.”
Some of these large-scale projects may not see completion this year and may be carried over into the following year.
