Downtown Travel Center Could Bring More Investments to City
By: Melissa Foy
Updated: February 20, 2013
While developing the Downtown Wichita Falls Travel Center, city officials say they discovered a new way they could bring more federal money and maybe new attractions to Wichita Falls.
So far, city officials have discussed building different businesses, housing, or recreational facilities, like an an athletic field complex or an amphitheater.
The requirement is that if federal money is received, it must be used to build or grow businesses or attractions that would boost city transit.
John Burrus, director of transportation for the City of Wichita Falls, says, "Basically you're using your federal transit dollars to stimulate economic development and creating an environment where people would build maybe apartment complexes, where they'd build maybe strip mall centers and things like that, and then that kick-starts transit ridership."
Officials have looked at virtually every area of the city from downtown, to the main gate by the base, to the hospital district by United Regional or by Vernon College.
They're now working with Freese and Nichols, a national consulting firm, on the project.
The firm will evaluate different areas of the city to determine what area would be best for this type of project.
But city officials want your input, too.
They say once that process is done, they'll host several public meetings so they can get your input on what you'd like to see in the city.
Then, the project would have to be approved by city council before any work is started.
So far, city officials have discussed building different businesses, housing, or recreational facilities, like an an athletic field complex or an amphitheater.
The requirement is that if federal money is received, it must be used to build or grow businesses or attractions that would boost city transit.
John Burrus, director of transportation for the City of Wichita Falls, says, "Basically you're using your federal transit dollars to stimulate economic development and creating an environment where people would build maybe apartment complexes, where they'd build maybe strip mall centers and things like that, and then that kick-starts transit ridership."
Officials have looked at virtually every area of the city from downtown, to the main gate by the base, to the hospital district by United Regional or by Vernon College.
They're now working with Freese and Nichols, a national consulting firm, on the project.
The firm will evaluate different areas of the city to determine what area would be best for this type of project.
But city officials want your input, too.
They say once that process is done, they'll host several public meetings so they can get your input on what you'd like to see in the city.
Then, the project would have to be approved by city council before any work is started.
