Odessa residents, it’s time to let your voices be heard and opinions be known by participating in an online survey that will be used to help the city update their downtown master plan.
The survey, which is being spearheaded by Downtown Odessa, Inc., will be followed by a series of 8 town hall meetings scheduled Sept. 13-15.
“We want to hear everyone’s opinions – good, bad or indifferent,” said Craig Stoker, chairman of the city’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. The TIRZ Board is funding the master plan update. “We want to have an idea of what people want.”
Each town hall meeting will focus on different topics, and the public can attend any of the meetings, Stoker said.
All sessions will be held at the Odessa Police Department 1st Floor Training Room, 205 N. Grant Ave.
Scheduled meetings are as follows:
Monday, Sept. 13:
>> 10 a.m. to Noon – Goals and Objectives
>> 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Built Environment and Visioning
>> 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Streetscaping and walkability
Tuesday, Sept. 14:
>> 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Land Use
>> 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Activities and Public Events
>> 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Parking
Wednesday, Sept. 15:
>> 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Grant Ave.
>> 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Developer’s Workshop
>> 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Presentation of Final Ideas
Stoker said he believes downtown Odessa has all the basic ingredients for success already, but could use some additional resources and stronger marketing.
“We already have a wide variety of restaurants and boutiques, and government services,” Stoker said. “We have more than 5,000 people working downtown every day; the majority of who are between the ages of 18-34.”
One challenge the city faces is offering activities and attractions that appeal to the 18-34 age range, Stoker said. Many people in that age demographic go to other towns on weekends to find entertainment that appeals to them. Another concern is that younger people move from Odessa to because they grow bored.
The city is already looking at possible projects to address this concern, Stoker said. For example, the TIRZ Board on Thursday is expected to discuss a joint project with Odessa College that would create more downtown services and activities for younger Odessa residents.
“Overall, I feel really good about the direction of where we’re going,” Stoker said. “People need to remember these changes don’t happen overnight. We have to be patient.”
The city council in June voted unanimously to hire planning and design architects Kimley-Horn to oversee the updating of the plan. The firm is being paid $85,000 for their work.
Kimley-Horn officials have said the project will take about 6 months to complete.
