TAMU planning study identifies strengths, opportunities in Jefferson
Austin Lewter/Jefferson Jimplecute
A relatively light crowd was on hand for a Town Hall hosted by the Jefferson City Council Tuesday night.
The topic at hand was the Public and Stakeholder Engagement Summary of the Texas Target Communities project at Texas A&M University. Or, locally referred to as the first part of the City’s Strategic Plan.
Program director Jeewasmi Thappa introduced Texas A&M University graduate students Jordan Gregory and Zyreshia Jackson.
They are two of 13 TAMU students who canvassed the community in October on a fact-finding mission.
The Public and Stakeholder Engagement Summary is the first step in a planning process approved and funded by JEDCO in June.
The program is a partnership with the city and the School of Urban Planning at TAMU and was funded by JEDCO after two years of deliberations, against the advice of their attorney.
University graduate students assemble strategic plans as a means of their curriculum requirements.
Gregory and Jackson are two of the students who canvassed the community.
They presented their findings to the City Council Tuesday night.
Their public engagement process included the collection of 992 written comments from community stakeholders as well as 128 surveys submitted and 39 in-person workshop attendees. Each stakeholder was allowed to make multiple written comments but only one survey submission.
Gregory reported that women, whites, or homeowners were over-represented in their survey pool. Along with those with household incomes in excess of $50,000 and folks with at least some college education under their belts.
Underrepresented in the sample were men, people of color, renters, low-income households, and individuals with no college experience.
They said 29% of respondents had lived in Jefferson for 10-20 years, 19% have lived here more than 30 years, 22% less than five years, 15% have lived here 5-10 years and 6% have been here 20-30 years.
Of those surveyed, 9% live in Marion County but outside the Jefferson City Limits.
In the end, the survey yielded the following key findings:
-People said Jefferson is an attractive city with historical roots and a sense of pride.
-Visitors get a unique tourism experience in Jefferson.
-Jefferson has a strong sense of community and is perceived as friendly and welcoming.
-Local businesses add to the community’s culture and offer enriching experiences.
-People said they feel safe in Jefferson.
The study also polled respondents about areas of improvement needed in Jefferson.
To which, they said:
-There is a distinct lack of opportunities for young people in Jefferson as well as a need to bridge the gap between racial and economic classes.
-Jefferson is in dire need of infrastructure improvements including sewer, roadways, sidewalks, signage, and street lights.
The study also identified limited resources for growth and declared that expanding the tax base should be a major priority in Jefferson.
-Residents are concerned about the lack of healthcare and emergency services.
-There is a need for improvements to public facilities such as the Marion County Community Center – or Jefferson Community Center on Haywood Street.
People also said Jefferson needs more rental properties, affordable housing, and increased code enforcement.
The study identified 11 Strengths and Opportunities in Jefferson:
1) Downtown Shops
2) Riverfront
3) Lions Club Park
4) Oakwood Cemetery
5) Tourism and Visitors Center
6) Jefferson High School
7) City Services Buildings
8) Jefferson Junior High School and Grounds
9) Marion County Community Center
10) WF Lockett Stadium
11) Broadway Street/ Hwy 49 area.
These Strengths and Opportunities are places that encourage community gatherings and provide resources to citizens
Likewise, the study identified some challenge areas in Jefferson:
1) Jefferson Primary School Grounds
2) Martin Luther King Drive
3) Hwy. 49
Specifically, the students said a lack a sidewalks and walkable paths to bridge these first three areas was a distinct problem.
4) Marion County Community Center
5) Boat Ramp
6) Intersection of Hwy 49 and 59
7) Jefferson High School
8) Cedar Grove Cemetery
9) Marion County Courthouse
“Now that we’ve identified some strengths and weaknesses, we can move forward and help you develop a plan to address them,” Thapa said.
The next step is forming a Task Force Committee to work with students to process the data in this first report to set goals and create a visioning process.
Alderman Robin Moore said she has recruited six people, so far, who are willing to serve on the task force.
She has not released the names of those interested.
“I think this is a good start in developing a strategic plan,” Moore said. “A vision for the next 20 years.”
Mayor Rob Baker agreed.
“These findings could catapult us to the next steps,” he said. “We need to take a deep dive and really uncover what got us here— not the who, but the what.”
If seen to fruition, the total cost of the program is $41,000.
To date, JEDCO has expended $6-7,000 for the cost of this first step.
Bob Thomas, owner of the Delta Street Inn Bed and Breakfast thanked the students for their hard work, but questioned how the continuity of plans like this move forward in small towns with no city manager.
“It’s a question of city leadership, management and continuity,” Thomas said.
“No matter who is on the city council, this is a living document,” Thapa said. “It is going to be on the city council to get community buy-in and make the document grow and evolves with the process… I can’t stress enough how we need your help reaching the community [in the next steps of the project].”
The Town Hall was called as joint meeting of City Council, JEDCO, the Tourism Board, and the Planning and Zoning Committee, though the Council was the only city board with a quorum in the room. The meeting notice included the possibility of a quorum of the other boards.
All aldermen were present except for Richard Turner.
There were few representatives from the other boards present, but no other quorums.
Likewise, there was no one in attendance in any official capacity from the Jefferson Independent School District or the Marion County Commissioners Court.
After some discussion, council agreed to act on moving forward to the next phase of the plan at next week’s regular meeting.