Tyler mayor unveils ‘Future Ready’ plans at luncheon

Published 3:40 pm Friday, May 24, 2024

Tyler Mayor Don Warren shared the city’s achievements and “Future Ready” plans for infrastructure, entertainment and public safety at the annual State of the City luncheon held Thursday.

“In USA Today, Tyler was named the No. 1 city in the state to live in,” Warren said. “That doesn’t happen because of counsel and staff. It happens because of everyone in this room, and it doesn’t happen by accident.”

The event, hosted by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center, had 900 attendees.

Warren discussed the state of the economy, noting a 4.5% decline in sales tax revenue since October. Despite this downturn, he highlighted significant growth in average home values. In 2021 the average home value was $218,000, rising to $319,000 in 2023.

Additionally, Warren pointed to a substantial increase in building permits from 2019 to 2023, resulting in a total added value of $172 million.

Streets, traffic and drainage are being addressed through investment in modernizing traffic signals, enhancing safety and increasing drainage capacity.

About 218 traffic signals over 10.8 miles of roadway have been adjusted.

Half of the signals timed out 150 traffic signals in the city. There is a 32% reduction in wait time on Broadway Avenue, he said. Improvements show a 22% decrease in total delay, a 10% increase in traveling speed and a 17% reduction in total stops.

“We’re in Year 4 of a 10-year plan for more than $7 million to improve the lighting and the timing of the lights,” Warren said.

Drainage improvement projects like those at Stagecoach Drive, Douglas Boulevard and Thompson Avenue reinforce the storm water system and protect the area’s streets and properties from flood damage.

“We have just about rebuilt the entire system, and over 10 years, it will be just about entirely rebuilt at a cost of $250 million,” Warren said.

Warren addressed several initiatives for Tyler’s development and community well-being.

He highlighted the taste and odor study for Tyler Water Utilities, which aims to improve water quality for residents. Additionally, he outlined updates to the Tyler 1st Plan, which will guide the city’s growth and infrastructure improvements.

Warren also discussed efforts to revitalize and rebuild local parks, remove blight and restore Tyler’s historic brick streets to enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal and preserve its heritage. The Mayfair Building, built in 1927, was restored to its former glory and serves as an extension of the Rose Complex.

Warren reviewed the timeline for improvements to downtown Tyler, which will be transformed by 2027. Projects to increase connectivity, walkability, parking and public spaces are part of the revitalization efforts.

The city will begin west side street improvements and construction of its west side green space this fall. In the winter of 2026, the city will improve the east side streets, with an anticipated completion date in fall 2027.

Warren also shared plans for the Valencia Group, a boutique hotel chain in numerous Texas cities, to build a hotel downtown.

“We anticipate the downtown transformations will lead to a future 156-room hotel called The Blackstone by the Valencia Group,” Warren said. “We showed them our vision for downtown, and when they visited, it was love at first sight.”

He emphasized the continuous efforts of the Tyler Police and Fire departments to enhance their services. These improvements are focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, reinforcing the City’s commitment to public safety.

“I love the city. And I love the attention and recognition we were getting from all over the nation,” Warren said. “It seems like we’re each other’s cheerleaders. We support one another, and when I say we, I mean we.”