Haltom City Business Alliance Calls for Urban Renewal Strategies
TL;DR
HUBA pushes for code and policy changes to attract private investors and small businesses, offering well-researched ideas for revitalization.
Strong Towns provides workshops, courses, and resources to help cities achieve financial stability and create safe, inviting neighborhoods.
HUBA aims to prevent further degradation in Haltom City's southern and central areas, promoting small business growth and revitalization efforts.
Photographer captures 'vanishing' buildings in Georgia, highlighting the impact of code requirements on historic properties in Haltom City.
Found this article helpful?
Share it with your network and spread the knowledge!
The Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) is advocating for strategic changes to spur urban renewal in Haltom City's south and central areas. With no public funds available, the group is pushing for code and policy reforms to make these regions more appealing to private investors and small businesses.
HUBA cites the non-profit organization Strong Towns as a model for implementing common-sense reforms to achieve financial stability and create inviting neighborhoods. The alliance points to barriers such as costly building upgrades, excessive parking requirements, and time-consuming approval processes as major deterrents to investment in older areas.
Ron Sturgeon, a founding member of HUBA, highlights the challenges faced by small businesses, noting that lengthy approval processes can take up to two years, which is prohibitive for most entrepreneurs. The group emphasizes that while Haltom City's population is declining, the broader Dallas-Fort Worth area is experiencing significant growth, underscoring the urgent need for revitalization efforts.
HUBA proposes the creation of an overlay district encompassing key corridors such as Denton Highway, Carson, NE 28th Street, and Belknap. This district would feature reformed codes to lower barriers to entry for businesses and investors. The alliance argues that small businesses are crucial drivers of inner-city revitalization and that Haltom City needs to compete by simplifying processes for property renovation, use changes, and business openings.
The group's ultimate goal is to position Haltom City as 'the friendliest city in Tarrant County for small businesses.' HUBA contends that this transformation is essential for reversing the exodus of small businesses and population decline. However, they note that current leadership appears resistant to creating a comprehensive plan for improvement.
This push for urban renewal strategies in Haltom City reflects a broader trend in urban planning, where cities are being urged to reevaluate and reduce barriers to economic activity and development. The outcome of HUBA's efforts could serve as a case study for other municipalities facing similar challenges in revitalizing older neighborhoods and attracting new businesses.
Curated from 24-7 Press Release
