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Council opens first public hearing on third-amended downtown TIF plan; second hearing set for Dec. 2
Summary
City staff presented a third-amended Wharton Downtown Economic Development Project Plan that would create two new TIF increment districts to support a proposed grocery/fuel development and downtown reinvestment; the council opened a public hearing and scheduled a second hearing for 2025-12-02.
The council received a presentation from Rich Rogalski, director of the Lawton Economic Development Authority, and Lisa Herden of the Center for Economic Development Law on a third-amended downtown project plan intended to re-position downtown Lawton for new private investment.
Presenters said the amendment would establish two new 25-year increment districts (temporarily named TIF A and TIF B), remove two undeveloped parcels owned by LITA from increment district Number 2, and expand the project area to include Elmer Thomas Park, Central Middle School and Lawton High School so future TIF revenues may fund public facilities and school improvements. Presenters added the amendment allocates 10% of increment revenues from the two new districts to the city’s STEM strategic plan.
Lisa Herden told the council a private developer is under contract to build a full-service grocery and fuel station on a 10-acre portion of the Lawton Town Center site; she said that transaction is scheduled to close in early 2026 and would represent a $16–$20 million private investment that could generate incremental ad valorem and sales tax revenue for the city. Staff projected that at full build-out TIF A could generate roughly $200,000–$300,000 annually and TIF B $100,000–$200,000 in combined increments.
The council opened the required public hearing for information and questions; no action was taken tonight. A second public hearing to receive formal public comments for or against the amendment is scheduled for December 2, 2025. During tonight’s Q&A, a resident asked whether the amendment restricts what types of businesses can locate downtown; staff answered that an overlay district encourages high-quality development but does not categorically bar particular retailers.
Next steps: staff will return for the second public hearing on 2025-12-02 and later for council consideration if the process continues to recommendation.
