Downtown Wichita Falls Development Inc. 10/09/2023 MINUTES
DOWNTOWN WICHITA FALLS DEVELOPMENT INC.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & DOWNTOWN PLAN UPDATE
October 9, 2007
ATTENDEES: ---------
B.C. Gilbert, B.C. Country/Gilrose Studios [ EOFF10E_._._ �jBeth Leonard
Kenneth Cunningham, Mansion II Antiques Date �3 U&I"
Jo Cunningham, Mansion II Antiques Tim('
John Alexander, Director, Museum of North Texas Hi o ',
Sherry Cannedy
April Daly, Online Concepts
Joe Nieto, Online Concepts; North Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
R.C. Taylor, Pre-Paid Legal
Pat Sullivan, Landmark Commission member
Jack Coltrand, Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel
Allen Goldapp, Midwestern State University
Julie Spence, Gidget's Sandwich Shop
Jimmie Whitmire, Whitmire & Whitmire Insurance
J. Michael Lujan, Time Warner Cable
Camilo Candi, Online Concepts
Smith Walker, property owner downtown
Christy Ridinger, Times Record News
Lita Watson, Museum of North Texas History/County Archives
Mark Chase, White Realty Management
Lisa Jackson, Wichita Theatre
Dwayne Jackson, Wichita Theatre
Linda Christoff, Turtle Creek Trading Co.
John Christoff, Turtle Creek Trading Co.
Dick Wilson, Wilson Office Furniture
Will Tucker, Tucker Resources Inc., TX Corp.
Delores Culley, Exec. Dir., Wichita County Heritage Society
Jeff Marion, Digital Deviance
Kevin Gilmore, Digital Deviance
Rachael Kapelski, Music Director, Wichita Theatre
Jeral W. Jackson, Jeral W. Jackson Inc.
Marcia Bernhardt, Eastern Treasures
Debbie Schwartz, Red Threads
Glenda Tate, Antique Wood
David White, White Realty Management
Barbara Douglas, Secret Garden Tea Room
Councilor Ray Gonzalez Council Liaison
Councilor Charles Elmore Council Liaison
DWFD Inc. Annual Membership Meeting October 9, 2007 page 1
Freese & Nichols Consulting Team:
Alfred Vidaurri, Jr., AIA, AICP, Principal —Architecture/Planning Group Manager
Shad Comeaux, Planner III, Assoc. AIA
Wendy Shabay, Project Manager, AICP, Assoc. AIA
Cynthia Laney, Exec. Director, Downtown Wichita Falls Development Inc. (DWFDInc.)
Vicki Chaney, Admin. Assistant, DWFDInc.
Brian Walser, President, Board of Directors DWFDInc.
DWFD Inc. Board Members:
John Dickinson
Daniel Ahern
Andy Lee
Dennis Cannedy
Diane Walser
Guy Dunn
Rowena Jackson
Jeannine Holt
Christy Graham
Bill Barnard
David A. Clark, Director, Community Development City staff
Karen Gagne, City Planning Division City staff
Bob Sullivan, Director, MPEC City staff
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Brian Walser, President, Downtown Wichita Falls Development Inc. Board of Directors called
the meeting to order at 5:35pm.
II. BUSINESS MEETING
Ms. Cynthia Laney provided an overview of activities during the past year that DWFD Inc. either
organized or were a major partner. Some of these events included the St. Patrick's Day event in
March; the outdoor music and film festival in June. In August DWFD Inc. staff worked with the
HHH100 Board as the volunteer coordinators which gave them a great opportunity to spread the
word about downtown and during the weekend talk to many ride participants/visitors about things
to do in Wichita Falls and the downtown area. In addition, DWFD Inc. hosted the 1st annual
shrimp and wine festival at the Farmer's Market in September. Currently, DWFD Inc. staff and
Board members are working closely with City staff to assist in the development of the Downtown
Plan. Ms. Laney indicated DWFD Inc. Board members, particularly Ms. Guy Dunn, are organizing
the City Lights event for November 17th which kicks off the Christmas season and turning the
lights on downtown for the holidays. There are many opportunities for volunteers in the DWFD
Inc. organization and membership materials are available at the sign-in table for those interested
in joining.
III. CONSULTANT PROGRAM
Ms. Laney introduced the Freese & Nichols Inc. team of consultants for the Wichita Falls project.
They include principal Mr. Alfred Vidaurri Jr., Mr. Shad Comeaux, CAD/GIS planner, and Ms.
Wendy Shabay, project manager for the Downtown Plan component. Ms. Laney indicated that
Freese & Nichols, Inc. is also working in conjunction with TIP Strategies and Dunkin, Sefko and
Sims who recently merged with Freese & Nichols.
DWFD Inc. Annual Membership Meeting October 9, 2007 page 2
Mr. Vidaurri provided an overview of the Plan process, including how the Downtown Plan and
Defense Diversification Plan fit together along with progress to date. Ms. Shabay updated
attendees on the progress since the September kick-off meeting. She indicated they still need
feedback from people and encouraged attendees to log-on to their website
(http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=7iDvBi3VrFpYDOnNn3t 2feA 3d 3d) and complete
the downtown survey. Ms. Shabay outlined the Downtown Plan timeline, noting
September/October are data gathering/on-site interview development, November Freese &
Nichols staff will be back in Wichita Falls, and December they will be analyzing the information
and developing a draft Plan in January 2008.
Ms. Shabay provided a powerpoint presentation with the feedback obtained to date from the
surveys and responses via email. Some of the key areas covered by the survey included the
following:
• What is the Vision for Downtown?
• What Issues Need to be Addressed?
• What are the Biggest Challenges/Opportunities for Downtown?
• What are some Examples of Successful Downtowns?
• What is the Center of Downtown?
Ms. Shabay informed attendees that it's important to define a walkable area in the downtown.
She noted from the last set of responses in September many people focused or considered the
center of downtown at 8th and Scott Streets. Other issues that were brought up as concerns for
Wichita Falls downtown included: pedestrian walkways; lighting; security; housing and a variety
of business types are needed; vacant/underutilized buildings; traffic/access; themes/districts;
plazas/open space; parking; gateway or signage at entryways to downtown.
IV. DISCUSSION — DOWNTOWN ISSUES
Ms. Shabay opened the meeting for comments and discussion:
Will Tucker stated an issue with how street trash is handled in downtown — no City support for
public trash receptacles. There is a perception of downtown being dirty — if downtown were
cleaner is would uplift the downtown image/environment.
Joe Nieto noticed a deteriorating building in the 700 block of Indiana and questioned what can be
done to get property owners fix their buildings and/or facades.
Councilor Elmore inquired if there was the ability for a downtown property owners association
similar to a residential area homeowners association with dues collected to ensure maintenance.
Ms. Shabay responded from her experience on the Fort Worth Downtown Board, they
experienced similar issues and now there is a critical mass of downtown residents/tenants and
they developed a form of association.
John Christoff stated there are issues in the downtown that require a two-pronged approach from
Code Enforcement officers: 1) need to make it easier to rehab older buildings; and 2) enforce
codes for hazardous buildings and force absentee property owners to maintain and/or rehab their
buildings or the City will take over the property. Mr. Clark, Director of Community Development,
responded this issue was requested to be addressed in the Plan contract with the consultants to
look at the existing building codes to develop some type of an agreement with what is
acceptable/workable for the downtown area and the older buildings. Maintenance issues are
currently not addressed by the City Code — this is a issue that City Council will have to determine
how far they want to address the requirements.
An attendee questioned how the Plan will be implemented when the consultants leave town and
the Plan's complete. Ms. Shabay commented from their observations the community and
downtown have key leaders — many of whom are present at the meeting this evening. These
leaders will play a key role as chairpersons — many are already working DWFD Board members,
to fulfill putting the Plan implementation strategy into action items and getting the Plan in place to
make real changes.
DWFD Inc. Annual Membership Meeting October 9, 2007 page 3
John Christoff clarified that downtown property owners will be able to work with the consultants to
come up with some options to resolve the building/maintenance problems and reach an
agreement. Mr. Clark noted the City of Chattanooga TN has strong enforcement capabilities in
their downtown and they have a thriving downtown environment that is attractive. Ms. Shabay
stated the Freese & Nichols team would look at Chattanooga's code policies along with other
city's codes to come up with some solutions.
Danny Ahern stated in recent years the downtown has improved and most weekends there are a
variety of events that bring people from the greater community into downtown but it still needs to
be user-friendly so there is an attraction and things to keep people there after an event is finished
(ie. Komen Race for the Cure, HHH100, Festivals, etc.) From his experience other cities (ie.
Wichita KS and Fort Worth TX) have more user-friendly downtowns that look attractive.
Andy Lee commented on the 'core' of downtown and importance of identifying g linkages to other
parts of the City. Key to talk to the railroad companies that continually block 7 Street; they Falls
Flyover — where will the entry be into downtown and where's the sign for downtown vs. Central
Business District (CBD)? Ms. Shabay stated there appear to be many ways into downtown —
attendees pointed out main linkages — Seymour Hwy (5t /6th St.); Kell Frwy.; Scott St.; eastside —
7th St/Emanuel Davis overpass.
Christy Graham stated residents in their building (LaSalle Crossing — 7th/Ohio) have complaints
with the railroad — the crossing whistle is very loud and disruptive for residents living downtown.
She noted in Oklahoma City's downtown major intersections are gated off from crossing at
11:00pm and the railroad never has to blow the whistle until 7:00a.m. when the crossing is
opened for morning traffic. Ms. Shabay noted they would research this issue and that
communities can get 'quiet zones' but they are difficult to obtain.
Ms. Shabay asked attendees what would be considered the main street in downtown. Most
attendees stated either Scott Street or 8th Street.
Ms. Shabay thanked everyone for their comments and encouraged everyone to visit the website
link to provide additional feedback. She outlined the Freese & Nichols team would be meeting the
following day with some downtown property owners and City staff. Ms. Shabay noted Wichita
Falls has great people and many stakeholders with a passion for downtown. She stated this good
leadership is critical to develop the Plan vision into action and thanked everyone for attending.
V. ADJOURN
Ms. Laney asked if anyone had any new business for discussion, there being none the meeting
was officially adjourned at 7:10 p.m. She welcomed everyone to stay and visit with the
consultants about any issues they had regarding downtown and its future.
DWFD Inc. Annual Membership Meeting October 9, 2007 page 4