Central Wichita Falls Revitalization Area Committee Minutes - 03/04/2025 MINUTES
Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee
March 4, 2025
PRESENT:
Ann Arnold-Ogden • Member
Councilor Robert Brooks •Councilor
Wendy Browder •Vice Chair
Larry Fox • Member
Jose Garcia • Member
Mike Mitchell •Chairman
Nadia Menchaca •WFAAC Liaison
Terry Floyd, Development Services Director •City Staff
Fabian Medellin, Planning Manager •City Staff
Christal Cates, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator •City Staff
ABSENT:
Councilor Whitney Flack •Councilor
Andrea Robles • Member
GUEST:
Cherie Newman, Property Developer •Guest
Heather Langford •Guest
Ricky Lowe, Property Developer •Guest
LilliAnn Sutherlin •Guest
*It is noted that Committee member Jose Garcia entered the meeting at the beginning of the Regular Agenda.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Mike Mitchell called the meeting to order at 1 :30 p.m.
II. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Mitchell asked if any members of the public wished to speak. Mr. Ricky
Lowe stated he was excited about the change in Wichita Falls and proud to be a
part of the growth and revitalization.
III. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
Chairman Mitchell asked if there were any public comments regarding the minutes.
Mrs. Ann Arnold-Ogden mentioned a typo on the first paragraph of page one, the
misspelling of Chairman Mitchell. Mrs. Cates advised that would be noted and
corrected. Chairman Mitchell reviewed the minutes at length along with staff for
those absent at the last meeting. Chairman Mitchell made a motion to approve the
minutes from February 18th, 2025, modified with the name correction. Vice
Chairwoman Wendy Browder seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 6-0.
Neighborhood Revitalization Committee 2 March 4, 2025
IV. REGULAR AGENDA
1. Continued Discussion of Initiatives, Goals, and Outcomes for the
Neighborhood Revitalization Plan
The Committee had previously tabled the discussion at the Tree Clearing Program
due to in climate weather.
• Bridwell Park Improvements
At this time Mrs. Arnold-Ogden asked to present an update for the Bridwell
Park Murals as she would have to leave early for another engagement. She
stated the initiative was to enhance Bridwell Park to provide safe, accessible,
and engaging spaces for all community members, promoting recreational
activities, environmental sustainability, and social interaction. Updates on the
progress of the selection panel for an artist to provide a design and implement
said design on the Futsal courts at Bridwell Park. Mrs. Arnold-Ogden advised
of the work behind the scenes that had been done to prepare for review of 11
applications received and reviewed. The next meeting of the selection panel
would be held Thursday, March 6th at 10am at the WF Alliance for Arts and
Culture conference room.
Some of the other goals discussed for this initiative were to Install more solar
lighting at the park for safety; improve the baseball field and install solar lighting;
and replant trees to replace those that have died and been removed.
• Tree Clearing Program
Staff stated during site visits and being out in the neighborhood it was noted
many trees that needed abatement. Staff is proposing a program to assist
residents in removing trees that present a potential risk of injury to people or
property or hinder street lighting, causing safety issues. No metrics were set at
that time and staff advised a plan would be created for this initiative and
discussed with the Committee at a later date.
• Bright Nights, Safe Streets Initiative
Another element of safety staff would like to help the neighborhood with is
ensuring lighting throughout the community. This would improve the safety and
well-being of residents by reducing opportunistic crimes. This program would
ensure every single-family residence has an operable front porch light and
provide every single-family residence with a doorbell camera that is
registered with the City of Wichita Falls Police Department. No metrics set at
this time.
• Secure Steps & Rides Initiative
Staff wishes to enhance sidewalks and bike lanes to improve accessibility
and safety for pedestrians and cyclists by adding bike lines to connect the
Neighborhood Revitalization Committee 3 March 4, 2025
CWFNRA to Lucy Park and the 25-mile City's Circle Trail. Staff will also work
with the Bike Friendly WF Coordinator on pedestrian and cyclist audits and
funding opportunities for improvements. No metrics set at this time.
• Enhance Existing Infrastructure
Another initiative described to the Committee was efforts to improve public
health through new infrastructure and sustainable initiatives that address
longstanding stormwater issues. Staff would like to install stormwater drainage
on Harrison Ave, a central corridor for the neighborhood known for flooding.
Implement progressive drainage systems to reduce flooding risks and
enhance road safety and replace lead/cooper/galvanized service water lines to
improve the quality of water provided to each home. No metrics set at this time.
• Neighborhood Beautification Initiative
Staff discussed the need for a large-load trash pick-up program and
organization of block clean-ups including alleys. Staff believes this will improve
the quality of life for residents by adding city services. This could also boost the
mentality of a maintained community by having large trash items picked up by City
Sanitation Department.
• Establish a Neighborhood Association
Staff advised when revitalization efforts began it has always been the goal to
have the neighborhood and its citizens actively involved in the decisions made.
The City would like to see a Neighborhood Association for this community for
the citizens, by the citizens. This would be a powerful advocacy group that
has an organizational structure for residents and provide a voice to local
government and elected officials. This would also Provide a means for
members to organize interests and pursue collective action by ensuring the
neighborhood has adequate amenities and services to give the desired quality
of life, while also providing local government officials with residents' input.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Update was previously given by Mrs. Arnold-Ogden.
VI. ADJOURN
Staff advised the next regularly scheduled meeting would be on Tuesday, March
18th, 2025 at 1:30 pm at the Travel Center Conference Room.
Chairman Mitchell adjourned the meeting at 2:32 p.m.
Mike Mitchell, Chairman Date
b-9-5
'an Medellin, AICP, Planning Manager Date