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City: 8 28 development is private; infrastructure planning and grant work underway
Summary
City staff said the 8 28 project is a private development, not a city-led project, and that infrastructure planning, stormwater and traffic studies and a BEDC grant application remain in progress; staff emphasized no city debt will be issued unless the developer seeks incentives and begins construction.
City Manager Garrett Spradlin told the City Council on Aug. 19 that the 8 28 project is a private development led by outside investors and developers, and not a city-owned project. Spradlin said the city has taken steps to make public information available and to solicit questions, but that current work is centered on planning and infrastructure studies.
"This is a private development," Spradlin said. "We are not telling them what to build, how to build it. We're making sure they follow our codes, and, yes, an agreement to help develop it and likely some incentive in the future, but that's no different than any other economic development project we do." He added the city will not spend more money directly on the project until a building permit is issued and the developer begins physical work.
Spradlin said the council previously approved a grant application on the Borger Economic Development Corporation’s (BEDC) behalf for infrastructure improvements tied to the project. He described the current stage as one that requires stormwater drainage studies, street layouts, elevation plans, utility extensions and traffic studies — tasks that can take months or years. He also said some early media coverage prompted questions and that the city had moved a 8 28 link on the website to prioritize budget and tax-rate information while the matter is active.
Spradlin noted earlier permitting and development examples to explain the timeline: the Yucca Estates project required about 18 months of planning before an incentive agreement, and other large projects in the past took multiple years to proceed from concept to construction.
Staff encouraged residents to consult the project page under the city website’s business/economic-development section for frequently asked questions and stated the city will continue to respond to community questions as the developer advances plans and submittals.
