Wichita Falls council approves TIF-backed WinCo road, 7 Brew turn lane; funds opioid, vector and fire projects

Wichita Falls Mayor Tim Short and the City Council on March 18 approved multiple development agreements and funding measures, authorizing TIF zone funds for a WinCo roadway, a private-built turn lane for a new 7 Brew location, grants from opioid settlement proceeds to four nonprofits, a $10,000 vector-control grant from NACCHO and an application for a Texas A&M Forest Service vehicle grant.

The actions, taken by voice vote, move planned public-works projects and community-service grants into the implementation phase and formalize private–public partnerships the city says are intended to improve traffic flow, public health and emergency response.

City staff said the WinCo agreement will use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Zone No. 2 increment to connect South Winona Avenue to Gregory Avenue and extend sidewalks; WinCo will construct a major portion of the roadway with the city paying the remaining $1,284,000 from the TIF fund. Terry Floyd, the city’s director of development services, said the South Winona alignment and associated work have been part of the city’s TIF plan since 1995 and that private development in the district made the financing available. Todd, a WinCo construction manager, told council WinCo expects the project to improve site access and said the company plans to hire roughly 125 employees for the store. "We are a 100% employee owned company," he said.

Also approved was a development agreement with 7 Crew Enterprises (the 7 Brew franchise) to build an additional turn lane on Piedmont Place at Kemp Boulevard and to relocate a traffic signal if needed. Emma Duett, 7…