Celebrate La Feria, Texas!

CPAT Study Reveals  Areas of Concern and Makes Recommendations for Community’s Future

by MBWright, LFN Editor

Looking to the future, community leaders in La Feria wanted to take a critical look at what people like about the City of La Feria and what areas could use some help to improve the community and give visitors a reason to come to the area.

A recent study, conducted by a team of expert city planners with the assistance of community members and city staff, was presented to members of the public at a recent gathering and at the most recent city commission meeting held May 28.

The team is part of the American Planning Association. If you missed the first part of this story, read it here.

The project began with gathering the information, designing specific goals and objectives and then presenting a plan to accomplish those goals. The vision is planned over many years as policy changes and funding become a reality.

“I was delighted that many residents and business owners became involved in the process,” said City Planner Irene A. Szedlmayer.

The team came up with the common thread, “Celebrate”, to tie the community together and set it apart from other Valley cities. Since La Feria is well-known for its annual celebration, the Fiesta de La Feria, the idea seems a perfect fit. The team encouraged people to “Celebrate” the things that were identified as most-liked by residents: The Downtown Area and Main Street, Veteran’s Memorial Sports Complex, the Schools, El Centro Supermarket and the well-kept Winter Texan neighborhoods.

“Hearing the input from the community confirmed the concerns and ideas of the team’s professional opinion,” added Szedlmayer. The revitalization of the downtown area appeared on the top of everyone’s list.

The team suggested improvements to downtown to begin the rebuilding process. The vision for street beautification included widening the current planters and planting palm trees down Main Street, identifying more parking and painting current parking spaces to increase capacity. Better signage was on the list and changes at Main Street corners to create bulb-outs that reduce the crossing width of streets for pedestrians, make pedestrians more visible in a crosswalk, and add space to sidewalks that can be used for pedestrian amenities and activities. By forcing drivers to slow down when they turn the corner, makes it safer and more comfortable for pedestrians. Research shows they have a minor impact on traffic speed.

It was felt that if there were people living in the downtown area it would be advantageous. At present, an ordinance prevents living quarters in the downtown buildings except at one location.

The study noted the loss of sales and showed how specialty shops for food, gifts and special clothing items would do well along with more full-service dining establishments.

The next step is to absorb all this information and which should be incorporated in the city’s comprehensive plan for the future.

There is much more information in the report. If you are interested in more details of this study, please call city hall, 797-2261, and see when a follow-up presentation will be scheduled.