WATER IMPROVEMENTS — Work has begun on a brand new water tower in Alvord, a part of quite a lot of current water system enhancements within the metropolis. BRIAN KNOX/WCMESSENGER
Gradual and regular — that is likely to be the easiest way to explain progress within the northern a part of Smart County.
2021 introduced continued infrastructure enchancment tasks for the Metropolis of Alvord, notably within the space of water supply. Development on the town’s new water effectively started and is predicted to be up and working by June, based on Metropolis Administrator Clint Mercer.
And a brand new place to retailer that water must be arriving quickly.
“The brand new water tower is being erected as we converse. We’re taking a look at Might-June in-service date,” he mentioned.
That new tower is being constructed close to the nook of West Elm and North O’Neil streets, throughout from the put up workplace, and can substitute a 65-year-old tower on North Wickham Avenue.
Extra water tasks funded by a Texas Group Growth Block Grant are on the horizon.
“That is over a half-million greenback challenge that can add and substitute water traces to enhance infrastructure in an underserved portion of the town,” Mercer mentioned.
COMMUNITY GARDEN — Final summer season, the Alvord Group Backyard opened, permitting a spot for residents to develop and harvest vegatables and fruits. Harvested meals can be accessible at a blessing field on the town. The backyard was the brainchild of Alvord resident Autumn Garrison, above, proven on the grand opening final September.
That challenge is scheduled to start in April.
Town additionally bought new software program for mapping and long-term record-keeping associated to infrastructure like water, wastewater and streets.
Whereas business and residential progress is likely to be slower than areas to the south, Alvord has seen regular will increase in new house building permits over the previous few years.
“We’re positively seeing the ripple results of the expansion our southern neighbors are experiencing,” Mercer mentioned.
Different new additions up to now 12 months embody a neighborhood backyard at Elm Creek Park and a brand new metropolis web site to enhance residents’ entry to metropolis providers, employees and transparency instruments.
Gross sales tax collections had been up 14.42 % for the 12 months, proper in step with comparable will increase seen in Smart County, bigger cities akin to Bridgeport and Decatur and within the county as an entire.
Chico Mayor Colleen Self mentioned 4 new houses had been constructed within the metropolis final 12 months, and whereas it won’t sound like a lot, it represents regular progress for the small city.
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“We’re not rising like huge cities, however we’re rising,” Self mentioned. “We’re hoping to make it the place we are able to develop and preserve good issues going. It’s going slowly, however that’s what I would like.”
Development has not but begun on a housing growth throughout from Chico Elementary College, however Self mentioned work on the challenge might start in a couple of month. The event is predicted to ultimately deliver between 25 and 50 houses.
A brand new enterprise opened on the sq. up to now 12 months together with a few small companies within the meals service subject.
Whereas progress is likely to be modest on the town, Self mentioned she is aware of that new houses proceed to be in-built close by developments within the county, which suggests these residents might be coming into city to buy or eat.
“We’re attempting to organize for that, akin to enhancements to our streets, infrastructure, water,” she mentioned.
Town is working with an engineering agency to hunt potential grants or loans for sewer plant enhancements.
“We’re actual proud we didn’t have to lift our tax price or our water price, and we’re getting issues achieved with out it,” Self mentioned.
These accomplishments additionally embody changing a number of culverts on the town.
Chico’s gross sales tax collections had been down simply greater than 9 % in 2021, however they ended the 12 months on a powerful word with December collections up 13.31 % from December of 2020.
