The issues of economic development, quality of life, and communication-infrastructure are inter-related. A change in one area impacts another--it requires a balance of each interest. To encourage economic development and preserve the quality of life, we need to be proactive and deal with the rapid growth that Pflugerville is facing by partnering to do the following:
Development along SH130/SH45, FM 685, and Pecan corridors is key as well as continued corridor strategic planning and ongoing economic analysis. Other corridors to plan for and aggressively recruit investors include: Wells Branch, Dessau Rd, Heatherwilde, Pflugerville Parkway, and MoKan corridor. We have a superb location in a growing metro area, available land and utilities, transportation access, higher institutions in the area, growing population with high median income, and economic development sales tax revenue. We need to be ahead of the game and constantly analyze economic/business indicators and update various city plans as city and region changes and grows.
Expansion and diversification of tax base and lessen the share paid by residential homeowners. Our long term financial health is dependent on managed growth, job creation, and making mix of retail/services available to our local area residents and visitors who are underserved. We need to pull people into Pflugerville to shop--make it a destination--and lessen retail leakage so more tax dollars are kept in town. We need diversity in housing to attract all levels of employees and same for stages of life and standards of living.
Continue downtown revitalization using downtown master plan implementation strategy, tax increment financing (TIF), and incentives. We need to have investors develop available land and encourage a denser and strengthened downtown; this may include extending district toward SH130 to create an economic engine using TIF.
Note: The above are ideas for stimulating future discussion with and between City Council/staff, neighborhood/ community leaders, Pflugerville's residents (taxpayers/voters), and area stakeholders. Ideas are based on past 10 years of active involvement in various organizations/efforts including Pflugerville Council of Neighborhood Associations, Downtown Planning Committee, City Council and other board/commission/committee meetings/work sessions, Pflugerville Downtown Association, Chamber of Commerce, Travis County 2005 Citizens Bond Committee, Pflugerville Police Department, Pflugerville Area Community Council, neighborhood meeting/workgroups, Envision Central Texas, working closely with city staff and Pflugerville Community Development Corporation staff, and more. The above includes relevant components of city's Downtown Master Plan 2004 and Economic Development Plan 2002.
