Wichita Falls council adopts 'Heart of the Falls' neighborhood revitalization plan; several other measures approved

The Wichita Falls City Council on April 15 adopted the Heart of the Falls neighborhood revitalization plan, a multi-year blueprint that combines zoning changes, incentives and public-investment priorities aimed at stabilizing and improving a roughly four-by-four block area defined by Seymour, Brook, Kell and Kemp. The council approved the plan after a public hearing and unanimous vote.

The plan directs city staff to pursue zoning text amendments, design guidelines, infrastructure repairs and voluntary incentive programs intended to spur rehabilitation without displacing current residents. Mike Mitchell, chair of the city revitalization committee, summarized the plan’s guiding values as “preserve people, buildings, and culture, advance opportunities for redevelopment, commerce, and beautification, and then connect neighbors, residents organizations and connect culture and shared spaces.”

Neighborhood revitalization coordinator Fabian Medellin told the council the committee’s work included “hundreds of surveys” and regular community meetings. Medellin outlined a package of actions staff will bring forward in the coming months: targeted zoning amendments, a voluntary neighborhood empowerment zone that can waive development fees…