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City seeks consultant for North Gus Thomason corridor study to guide new zoning and market analysis
Summary
City staff recommended hiring LJA Engineering to lead a corridor study for the North Gus Thomason/Northwest Thompson corridor to produce a market analysis, public engagement and a vision to guide future zoning changes; council signaled general support and the consultant proposed a roughly nine-month study timeline.
The Mesquite City Council received a briefing and gave direction April 9 for staff to move forward with a consultant-led study of the North Gus Thomason (Northwest Thompson) corridor aimed at rethinking the area27s special zoning district and attracting new investment.
Garrett Langford, planning staff, said the North West Thompson Corridor District zoning (enacted in 2008) has hindered some investment; staff ran an RFQ and recommended LJA Engineering27s Dallas office to produce a vision, market analysis and robust public engagement program that would inform a potential new zoning ordinance. Langford said the corridor is identified in the council27s strategic goals for a "vibrant economy." LJA project manager Abra Nusser described a multi-phase scope that includes a market analysis, stakeholder interviews, an interactive website, a design-studio series and neighborhood and council workshops.
Nusser, who said she and project staff have strong ties to Mesquite, proposed a timeline of about nine months to complete the study if the city desires that pace. Consultant deliverables would include high-level zoning observations, market potential and guiding principles rather than parcel-level site planning; a draft study would be under 50 pages, Nusser said. Councilman Kenny Green recalled early-2000s outreach tied to the original overlay and stressed the challenge of prompting property owners to reinvest.
Langford said staff would return the contract for execution to city council on May 5 if there were no major concerns. Council members emphasized the importance of market testing and public engagement before any ordinance rewrite, and welcomed the consultant27s outreach plan and locally rooted project team.
