Commission debates reimagining Towne Centre, walkability and corridor redevelopment

Kennedale commissioners spent a portion of the meeting exploring strategies to shift the city from a pass-through to a destination, emphasizing corridor redevelopment and a more walkable Towne Centre.

Speaker 1 argued the city should capture pass-through traffic by attracting businesses along major corridors, noting that wear on roads is caused in part by traffic that does not contribute to maintenance. "One of the reasons we want to become a destination versus a pass through is because ... these roads are getting wore out," Speaker 1 said, urging efforts to develop meaningful commercial locations to capture that activity.

Commissioners discussed Towne Centre as a historical and placemaking opportunity, proposing period-style lighting, neighborhood signage and pathways to create a small historic core. Speaker 3 cited the comp plan's catalyst-project language and referenced the First United Methodist Church's recent historic plaque as an example of local assets to celebrate.

Walkability and connectivity were frequent concerns. Speaker 4 described the parkway as a pedestrian barrier and warned that crossing U.S. 287 is hazardous for pedestrians, underscoring the need for safer crossings and more cohesive town-center design. Commissioners suggested overlay districts and targeted incentives to encourage owners of marginal properties to clean up or sell parcels that hinder corridor improvements.

Staff said the comp plan already identifies Oak Crest and various overlay districts as redevelopment catalysts and invited further feedback on how to make Towne Centre more historic and attractive to foot traffic. No formal policy changes were adopted; staff will fold commission input into draft UDC edits scheduled for January review.