By Moses Leos III.
Imagine, if you will, Buda a decade from now.
The city is thriving. More than 30,000 residents live in an area that reaps the benefits of wise development. Developers clamor to bring their business to town. Tourism is booming. Downtown is packed with patrons, with nary a parking spot to be found.
Traffic woes are alleviated, as State Highway 45 and the Lone Star Rail clear the formerly clogged IH-35. The city is a beacon of economic prosperity.
This vision was part of a movie developed by the city, the Buda Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and Pegasus Planning and Development, a consulting firm hired by the city. Pegasus helped unveil Buda’s new Economic Development Strategic Plan.
The plan features a seven-point approach that aims to spur development. It also harbors an incentive policy, which will be headed by a task force made up of the EDC, Planning, Public Works and Finance, and the city manager’s office.
Currently, the Buda EDC has adopted Pegasus’ strategy and policy. City council and the chamber of commerce will adopt it soon.
The unveiling was enough to fuel a festive atmosphere at the bar, Tavern on Main, where the reveal party was held.
Sean Garretson, president of Pegasus, sees the opportunity Buda has in front of it.
“I recognized when Buda put a [request for proposal] out, that it was an opportunity to have a plan that was not going to be another plan on shelf,” Garretson said. “It was implementable.”
Garretson said the plan was market based, and covered everything the city asked for in its request.
He sees the plan being able to help the city on numerous fronts. One is to bring development to the corner of FM 1626 and 967, along with development in the Sunfield MUD. According to Garretson, Buda’s lower market rates, compared to south Austin, make it a viable locale for businesses.
Ideally, Garretson thinks a stronger focus on retail development is necessary. Bringing in hotel chains will boost the city, he said, and developers have been waiting for the plan’s implementation.
Maintaining the historic downtown identity while continuing development was the primary focus of the plan. Rene Alcala, owner of Helen’s Casa Alde, has seen the momentum of downtown revitalization. He wishes for continued development, done responsibly.
“I want to see more focus on downtown,” Alcala said. “Not to take anything away from IH-35, but [downtown] is the real Buda. Where people live and work. I want downtown to become more vibrant and build on the momentum.”
Mayor Todd Ruge was impressed with the effort of the Pegasus team as a whole.
“We have a unique downtown; it’s only on one side. They analyzed it, and turned it from a negative into a positive,” Ruge said. “There is growth potential. Forget about ten years. In two to three years from now, downtown is going to be vastly improved.”
Lysa Gonzales, director of tourism, wants to see an increase in meetings and conventions brought by the plan. It will also help drive tourism traffic from festivals such as Austin City Limits, South by Southwest, and Formula One.
She hopes it will bring people who are willing to stay in the city and not just stop by.
“As Austin grows, Buda grows, and the more tourism comes to the area, you’ll see a percentage of hotel occupancy go up,” Gonzales said. “We are in a good spot for more hotels.”
Buda Area Chamber of Commerce chairman of the board Bret Kieser was equally impressed. He sees the chance for the city, EDC and chamber of commerce to work on implementing the plan. He hopes it limits big box stores.
“All of that data [from the strategic plan] is going to be intentional about who we recruit in terms of business, and where they are going to be and how they are going to grow,” Kiester said.
Just about everyone had a vision of where the city can go in the next decade. All agreed the plan will help the city reach its goals.
“I’d like to see us implement as much as we can,” Ruge said. “We have a sustainable road map. It’s within our reach. I would be disappointed if we fall short. It’s very attainable.”
The Pegasus 7-Point Strategy
1.Downtown Improvement
Increase connectivity and walkability
Ensure downtown is heart and soul of city
2.Transportation
Support SH 45 and the Lone Star Rail
3.Sites and Buildings
Foster building reuse
Target the industry approach
Adaptive reuse of big box tenants
Reach out to San Antonio and Austin
developers
4. Business Communication
Focus on public relations
How business need to grow
5. Workforce Development
Training local businesses in social media
Ask chamber of commerce to take lead on assessing businesses
EDC helps existing and future business have seamless training programs
6.Entrepreneurship/Office Development
Work with EDC to reach out to office flex spaces
Reach out to entrepreneur community
Partner with developers
Think about “co-working” opportunities
7. Retail/Entertainment
Focus on retail, entertainment and hospitality
Aggressive retail recruitment
More sophisticated hospitality program
