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Community Design and Development Assessment Report Nacogdoches, TX

Alix Hill Completed Fall 2005

Instructor: Mary Alice Torres-MacDonald

Profile Nacogdoches . 4 Local Government . 5

Demographics . 6 Community History . 7

Available Resources . 8 Stephen F. Austin State University Profile . 9

Downtown . 10

Landscaped Medians . 12 Vista Drive . 13

College Street . 15 Main Street . 17

Phases . 19 LaNana Creek . 20

LaNana Creek Trail . 21 Precedent . 22

Funding . 24 Promotion . 25

Conclusion . 26 Bibliography . 27

CONTENTS . iii

PROFILE . 4

Located deep in the piney woods off East Texas, Nacogdo-ches, TX hails as the oldest town in Texas. Nacogdoches is located 140 miles northeast of Houston, 90 miles southwest of Shreveport, and 160 miles southeast of Dallas and houses a population of 30,000. Nac-ogdoches County is composed of 926.8 square miles of land, 380,000 acres of native forests harvested for the production of lumber, paper, plywood, fiberboard, railroad crossties, and pallets, and 94,520 acres of pasture and farm land. Prominent industries include agriculture, manufacturing, educa-tion, and tourism. During the fiscal year of 2002, the agricultural indus-try acquired $230 million with poultry as its leading resource. Education is contained within 8 county school districts, includ-ing the Nacogdoches Independent School District, and Stephen F. Austin State University. SFA educates 12,000 students annually and offers 80 undergraduate majors and 60 graduate degrees. Health care within the city is supported through two hospitals, 100 physicians, and 20 dentists. There is one regional blood center, 2 outpatient surgery centers, as well as 7 licensed nursing homes, 2 as-sisted living homes, and 2 retirement housing developments. Nacogdoches contributes to its citizen’s quality of life with 18 parks composing a total of 250 acres, 3 libraries, 3 museums, 7 art galleries and studios, 1 country club, 4 health centers, 2 public swim-ming pools, and the seasonal hunting of deer, quail, ducks, doves, and turkey. The historical significance of Nacogdoches draws a significant tourist population and offers 9 Bed and Breakfasts, 3 Hotels, seasonal events located within the historical downtown district, and numerous nationally registered historical places. Located at an elevation of 283 feet, the Nacogdoches climate averages a temperature of 64oF with an annual average rainfall of 47.7”. The city of Nacogdoches is accessible online at http://www.ci.nacogdoches.tx.us.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 5

The city of Nacogdoches is governed by a Commission/Manager form of government. The elected city commission governs the policies for the municipal government while the city manager, ap-pointed by the city commission, governs the administrative responsi-bilities of the city.

Currently, the city commission is composed of a Mayor, Bob Dunn, and four commissioners, Don Partin (northwest ward), Bradley Reynolds (northeast ward), Mary Cartwright (southeast ward), and Billy Huddleston (southwest ward). The current city manager is Jim Jeffers.

The County Commissioner’s Court is composed of the County Judge Sue Kennedy, Tom Bush (Precinct 1), Reggie Cotton (precinct 2), Charles Simmons (precinct 3), and Tom Strickland (precinct 4).

Legislators at the federal governmental level are U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchinson and U.S. Representative Louis Gohmert. Legislators at the state level are Senator Todd Staples and Representative Roy Blake, Jr.

City Offices are located at: 202 E. Pilar Street Nacogdoches, TX 75963-5030 City Governmental resources and reports are available online

at: http://www.ci.nacogdoches.tx.us. City Contacts: • Jim Jeffers, City Manager, jjeffers@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us • Aaron Kulhavy, City Planner I, akulhavy@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us • Judy McDonald, President/ CEO of Nacogdoches Economic Devel-

opment Corporation, jbmc@nedco.org • Pam Fitch, Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau Presi-

dent, pam@visitnacogdoches.org

Ethnic Population of Nacogdoches

Hispanic23%

African American

32%

Caucasian35%

Other10%

Age Distribution of Population

Under 1820.2%

65 & Over 11.1%

Under 2551.2%

DEMOGRAPHICS . 6

Nacogdoches Population Year City County 1960 12,674 38,046

1970 22,544 36,770 1980 27,149 47,020 1990 30,872 54,820 2000 29,914 59,203

Estimates 2005 61,240 2010 64,140 2020 70,410

Nacogdoches Demographics:

Comparison of Density Averages Nacogdoches U.S. Persons per square mile 1,185.90 79.6 Dwellings per square mile 488.7 32.8 Median Age 24.4 35.3

Occupations Employed Type Number Employed

Management, Professional 4,069.00 Service 2,645 Sales and Office 3,798 Farming, Fishing, Forestry 181 Construction, Extraction, and Maintenance 859

Production, Transportation, Material Moving 1,617

Total 13,169

Educational Attainment

Bachelor's Degree or

Higher30.4%

High School

Graduate75.6%

9th Grade or less10.2%

• Current County Unemployment Rate: 4.2% • Population in Labor Force: 63.1%

HISTORY . 7

The history of Nacogdoches dates back to 700 B.C. with the settle-ment of the Caddo Indians along the Lanana and Banita Creeks. In 1542, the Spanish explorer, DeSoto, arrived and discovered the unique Indian architectural establishments of the area. In 1690, DeLeon attempted colonization and education, however Nacogdoches was not considered a significant Spanish conquest until the French explorer, St. Denis, mapped the El Camino Real from the Rio Grande to Nacogdoches. In 1713, the Spanish established three missions within the city, one by the name of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de los Nacogdoches. In 1762, France ceded to Spain and the Spanish then abandoned the military posts in East Texas and started develop-ing Nacogdoches.

In 1779, Don Antonio Gil Y’Barbo wrote the first law code, laid out the modern streets, and built his home, known today as the Old Stone Fort. Nacogdoches served as the capital of East Texas until the Texas Revolution. The Battle of Nacogdoches in 1832 served as the agent that cleared East Texas of Mexican Troops and further created an ease in the independence quest. In 1835, Adolphus Sterne led a group of Nacogdoches citizens, known as the New Orleans Greys, to San Antonio to fight in the Texas War for Independence.

The discovery and utilization of the first producing oil well in the state was drilled in Nacogdoches in 1891 and the establishment of the railroad contributed to the growth of Nacogdoches. The creation of highway 59 and 259 also contributed to the creation of a commercial center and allowed for the growth of the cotton, tobacco, timber, edu-cation, and general merchandising industries. During the 1960s, the city experienced rapid growth due to the expansion of Stephen F. Aus-tin State University. The university continues to serve as the most im-portant asset to the local economy today.

Throughout the city’s history, nine different flags of the Spanish, French, Mexican, Magee-Gutierrez Republic, Long Republic, Fredonia Republic, Lone Star, Confederate, and the United States have flown over the city.

Historical points of interest within Nacogdoches include a Caddo Indian mound, the Old University Building (the building of the Nacog-doches University and the only existing non-sectarian university estab-lished during the Republic of Texas), a replica of the Old Stone Fort (the home of Don Antonio Gil Y’Barbo), the Old North Church (the old-est union church in Texas), and Oak Grove Cemetery (includes the graves of four signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence), as well as the architecture of Diedrich Rulfs.

Old University Building 1890

Old Stone Fort 1885

http://www.cets.sfasu.edu/VR/vr.htm

http://libweb.sfasu.edu/etrc/default.htm

RESOURCES . 8

Existing Resources within Nacogdoches Include: Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation NEDCO serves the community by “promoting, assisting, stimulating, and enhancing economic development in Nacogdo-ches.” NEDCO offers many incentives for businesses consider-ing location within in the city including tax abatement, Freeport Tax Exemption, and Enterprise Zones. Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce The Chamber of Commerce works “to promote a favor-able business climate for its membership and the communities of Nacogdoches County.” The chamber works to provide eco-nomic leadership for improvement economically, politically, educationally, and personally. Nacogdoches Housing Authority The Nacogdoches Housing Authority was established through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop-ment to “provide safe, decent, and sanitary housing for low in-come families throughout Nacogdoches County.” The Housing Authority also provides services and opportunities that promote home ownership and self-sufficiency for low-income families. Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau The CVB seeks to promote tourism and conventions in Nacogdoches. The focus is to attract tourist that will enhance and promote additional economic development and will bring additional revenue into the community. Nacogdoches City Master Plan The master plan, created in 2002, serves as a public document “that will serve as a blueprint for the future develop-ment in the community.”

Existing Governmental Programs Include: Texas Capital Fund Infrastructure Development Program The program provides financial resources to non-entitlement communities for the funding of needed public infra-structure in order to assist businesses that commit to creating jobs for low and moderate income persons. Funding can be used for street improvements, electric and telephone lines, and the purchase of real estate related to infrastructure. Texas Main Street Program The program is a part of the Texas Historical Commis-sion and assists Texas cities in the revitalization of the historic downtown districts through preservation and economic devel-opment strategies. Ad Valorem Tax Relief Legislation The tax relief legislation allows cities the power to grant exemptions and tax relief from ad valorem taxes on property as elected by the citizens. Enterprise Zones Enterprise Zones are areas of the city underrepresented and declared as such to promote economic vitality. The loca-tion of businesses within the zones grants incentives such as tax breaks, low interest loans, and other incentives to promote location within the area. Industrial Revenue Bonds Industrial Revenue Bonds are non-taxable bonds that allow for the financing of land, construction, and equipment for a company within the city. Texas Preservation Trust Fund Grants A product of the Texas Historical Commission, the grant is an interest earning pool of public and private monies that al-low matching grants for the preservation of historic properties and archeological sites.

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY . 9

Nacogdoches has served as a city designated for higher educa-tion throughout its history. Nacogdoches University was founded in 1845 as a non-sectarian university by a charter granted from the Re-public of Texas. The building in which the University was housed also passed hands and served as the location for the Covenant of the Ago-nizing Heart of Jesus in 1870, the Nacogdoches Masonic Institute in 1873, and the Keachi College in 1887. The building was finally deeded to the Nacogdoches School District and serves as museum.

In 1923, Stephen F. Austin State University was established and presently serves 12,000 students. The university offers 80 under-graduate majors, 120 areas of study, 60 graduate degrees, 2 doctoral programs, and houses 7 colleges. The university is governed by the president, Tito Guerrero, III and the board of regents.

The SFA campus includes 28 instructional buildings, 19 resi-dence halls and apartments, a 642 acre agricultural center, an 18.7 acre experimental forest in southwestern Nacogdoches County, and a 25.3 acre forestry station on Lake Sam Rayburn. Currently, the University is responding to the changing de-mands of student life with the addition of 2 new student housing build-ings, a student center, a student recreation center, as well as two on campus parking garages. All projects are scheduled for completion in 2007. The 1998 Resource Team Report for Nacogdoches, TX, com-pleted by the Texas Historical Commission, projects demographics re-sulting from SFA as:

• 1,400 employees • 5,000 parents and family members visiting students • 12,000 SFA students

The total sums to18,400 people, thus further supporting Stephen F. Austin as the most important asset to the local economy.

DOWNTOWN . 10

The historic downtown district of Nacogdoches serves as one of the five historic districts in the city. Lined with red brick streets, the district has attained considerable interest for the rehabilitation and utilization of the historical buildings. The area is centered on the Visitor’s Information Building which houses a small museum, a support staff, restroom facilities, and city attraction brochures.

Nacogdoches, classified as a Main Street City since 1997, has made sizable improvements to the downtown dis-trict with the assistance of the Texas Main Street Program . Such improvements include:

• Planning and governmental structuring • Preservation of historical buildings • Accessibility • Landscape • Capital Improvements • Seasonal Promotional Events (Nine Flags

Festival, Scare on the Square, and Music to Lunch By)

Currently, downtown is composed of a variety of com-mercial and service areas including law offices, banks, city government offices, antique shops, miscellaneous shopping, housing, as well as small lunch eateries (see downtown dis-trict plan).

Downtown Plan

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LANDSCAPED MEDIANS . 12

Cognitive mapping is defined as the process of creating a mental map of one’s everyday spatial environment. Aesthetics and wayfinding clues such as similarities in color, building heights, and even smell allow a person to classify and mentally connect aspects of a city. Thus the composition of the cognitive map is crucial to one’s reaction and utiliza-tion to his/her surrounding environment. In Wayfinding in Architecture, Passini and Nostrand comment,

“Environmental information extracted from a cognitive map allows a person to develop decision plans in accordance to routes cho-sen. In order to be of maximum use, cognitive maps must repre-sent a spatial ensemble in a continuous fashion. Frequently im-ages do not exist as an integrated whole but as a disparate, unre-lated elements or partial maps. Spatial correspondence summa-rizes the environmental characteristics that facilitate the develop-ment of comprehensive cognitive maps reflecting the continuity of space” (127).

The following connection proposal addresses the visual discon-nection between the historic downtown district and the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University. Both districts not only serve as cru-cial factors to the economy, but also grant Nacogdoches notoriety and a substantial tourist attraction. The mission of the proposal is to positively shape a connection in the cognitive map of citizens, students, and tour-ists through the creation of landscaped medians, hike/bike trails, and through the utilization of proper promotion. The goal is for a “spatial en-semble in a continuous fashion” that becomes the solutions in decision plans and routes chosen, further increasing the frequency of travel and time spent within the areas.

The proposed landscape plan maps the connections of the two districts and the locations of landscaped medians along North Street.

Proposed Landscape Plan

E. AUSTIN ST.

E. COLLEGE ST.

VISTA DRIVE . 13

Intersection at North Street and Vista Drive:

• Site of SFASU main entry ο Problem: Entry battles the abundance of signs and traffic lights along North Street

• Solution: Proposed medians ο Create a separation between the two visually congested func-tions of street and entry ο Physically link the two paths

Proposed Plan

VISTA DRIVE . 14

Existing

Proposed

Intersection at North Street and Vista Drive:

E. COLLEGE STREET . 15

Intersection at North Street and E. College Street:

• Northern boundary of the SFASU North Street border • Northern boundary for proposed landscaped medians

Proposed Plan

E. COLLEGE STREET . 16

Existing

Proposed

Intersection at North Street and E. College Street:

MAIN STREET . 17

Intersection at North Street and Main Street:

• Site of downtown entry ο Problem: stark contrast of scale and street width of Main Street and North Street as well as contrast of building aesthetic

• Portion of Highway 21 path • Solution: Proposed medians

ο contributes scale, creates visual boundary between historic building facades and modern brick facades ο embark positive aesthetic impression of the community on Highway 21 travelers

Proposed Plan

MAIN STREET . 18

Existing

Typical Street Section

Intersection at North Street and Main Street:

PHASES . 19

Additional phasing creates a stronger cognitive connection: Phase 1. North Street Development Phase 2. University Drive Development • Landscaped Medians

ο E. Austin Street proposed northern boundary ο Main Street proposed southern boundary

Phase 3. Streetscape Developments • Street edge landscape treatment

ο Along Vista St. entry to SFASU ο Along Main Street west of North Street intersection

Phase 4. Entertainment District Development • Existing restaurants and resources include: Clear Springs, Auntie Pastas, Gruene River Grill, and Banita Creek Hall • Develop:

ο Proper lighting ο Parking ο Pedestrian paths ο Proper advertising to SFA and community

Proposed Phases Plan

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E. AUSTIN ST.

E. COLLEGE ST.

LANANA CREEK . 20

The LaNana Creek Trail currently serves as a 2.5 mile hike/bike path and as one of the most historic areas of old Nacogdoches. Histori-cally, the LaNana Creek served as a pathway for the Nacogdoches Indi-ans and later the Spanish who inhabited the high ground between the LaNana and Banita Creeks. The scenic trail follows along many histori-cal sites such as the home of Adolphus Sterne, the campground of the New Orleans Greys, and the Oak Grove Cemetery. The trail was a pro-ject of volunteers in 1986 that cleared and constructed the path with a goal to “preserve, beautify, and utilize the flood banks of the LaNana Creek for the people of Nacogdoches…” The trail extends from Main Street to East Austin and travels through Pecan Park and SFA. Hike/ Bike Trails are becoming a growing trend throughout the U.S. in cities such as Austin, Dallas, and Portland, Oregon. Cities are utilizing the concept in order to promote and encourage community out-door activity.

Only minor improvements are necessary to create a recreational cognitive connection between the SFASU and downtown districts.

Creek Location Plan

E. AUSTIN ST.

E. COLLEGE ST.

LANANA CREEK TRAIL . 21

http://members.aol.com/Eee93 http://members.aol.com/walktexas

http://home.austin.rr.com/jesimmons/photos

http://www.city.stratford.on.ca

Proposed Widened Trail

Existing LaNana Creek Trail

Recommended LaNana Creek Trail Improvements: • The addition of proper lighting • The widening of the path to accommodate runners, walkers, and bikers (approx. 10 ft.) • The use of a surface material • The removal of tree stumps and other recreational hindrances • The addition of water fountains, restrooms, and rest areas

Proposed Surfaced Trail

Socialization1%

Walk a dog6%

Baby Carriage2%

Nature Walk1%

Bike 8%

Walk31%

Run51%

PRECEDENT . 22

Town Lake Trail Activities

http://www.americantrails.org/ Austin’s Town Lake Trail

Town Lake Hike/Bike Trail Use Trail Use By: Number of people Percent Alone 55 With another person 37 With a group 8 Time of Day Percent Morning 47 Midday 9 Afternoon 17 Evening 27 Age range Percent under 16 1 17-21 6 22-30 24 31-40 25 41-50 25 51+ 19 Day of week Percent Weekdays 20 Weekends 18 Both 62 Gender Percent Female 45 Male 55 Types of Conflicts Percent Speeding Bikers 56 Uncontrolled Dogs 20 Running Group 10 Other 14 — Source: The Town Lake Trail

User Survey consists of information compiled from approximately 1,400 surveys

Town Lake Trail 2003 Survey:

Results from the Town Lake Trail survey in Austin, TX can be used in the projection and accommodation of Nacogdoches’ citizens during im-provements of the LaNana Creek Trail.

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FUNDING . 24

Recommended Governmental Resources: Recreation Trail Grants A product of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Federal Highway Administration, the grants allow up to 80% of project cost. Funding can be utilized for construction of new trails, the improvement of existing trails, the development of trailside facilities, and the acquisition of trail corridors. More information can be found at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/grants/trpa/#trail Transportation Enhancement Program A program administered by the Texas Department of Transportation that allows a cost reimbursement up to 80% of allowable costs. Funding can be used for landscaping and other scenic beautification, scenic highway programs, and the rehabilitation of historic transportation buildings. For more infor-mation, visit: http://www.dot.state.tx.us/des/step/introduction.htm. Safe Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act Also known as TEA-21, is a product of the Federal Highway Administration and allows funds for enhancement im-provements related to transportation areas. Funding can be used for visual improvements, sidewalks, as well as hike and bike trails. Additional information can be found at:: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21/index.htm. Tax Increment Financing Enacted through petition or initiated by the city council, TIFs publicly finance needed public improvements and en-hanced infrastructure in a defined area. Funding is obtained through the collection of all increased revenue within a particu-lar area that results from the redevelopment’s stimulation of private investment. Recommended Additional Funding Options: • Corporate or private sponsorship • Collaboration with SFASU • Bonds

PROMOTION . 25

Further connection through promotion includes:

• Advertising to SFASU students ο Sell entertainment district - Expand to SFA Newspaper, The Pine Log - Booths at new student orientation - Promotional coupons - Brochures sent in new student packets ο Promote LaNana Creek Trail

- Brochures of recreational opportunities in Nacogdoches

- Parks - Frisbee Golf - Hike/bike trail

• Promoting the LaNana Creek Hike/Bike Trail ο Brochures of maps and history of trail (similar to exist-ing walking tour) ο Promotional fun run events - Hold post-run ceremonies in downtown ο Heritage Festival event along the trail - “LaNana Heritage Run” during the Heritage Festival week in June

• Promoting Downtown to community ο “Walk Downtown” advertising campaign during April or early Spring, encouraging opportunities for exercise:

- Window shopping in downtown - LaNana Creek Trail - SFA arboretum - Parks

ο Commercials ο Downtown promotions at SFA sporting events

- “Downtown Day” where the first 1000 through the gates would receive some type of promotional item and a halftime giveaway (Contact SFASU Athletic Director, Robert Hill, rhill@sfasu.edu)

CONCLUSION . 26

Therefore the task of creating a connection between Stephen F. Austin State University and the downtown district is plausible and attainable.

It is important to understand that the proposed improve-ments will not only enhance the immediate surrounding areas of the city, but also the community as a whole. With greater fre-quency of travel and time spent in the area, the customer base of downtown and North Street will increase and business will bene-fit from the economic stimulation. An aesthetically pleasing envi-ronment promotes a personal sense of pride in the citizen, further increasing the desire to participate, contribute, and promote such an environment.

SFASU students have the potential to be a large cus-tomer base if treated and attracted accordingly. Through the creation of path and visual connection, SFASU students, unfamil-iar with the area, will travel along the path in search of grocery stores, shopping areas, and recreational areas. With the same reasoning, tourist in search of restaurants and additional activi-ties outside of downtown will also frequent travel along a visually similar, developed path.

Nacogdoches is a city full of character and history with great potential. The city simply needs holistically planned con-nections and promotions to link attributes for further enhance-ment of the community.

BIBLIOGRAPHY . 27

Texas. Texas Historical Commission. “Resource Team Report for Nacogdoches, Texas”. Austin, 1998. Texas Historical Commission. 2005. Texas Historical Commission. <http://www.thc.state.tx.us>. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 2005. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. < http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us>. Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. 2005. United States Department of Transportation. < http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tea21>. TxDOT Expressway. 2005. Texas Department of Transportation. <http://www.dot.state.tx.us>. Visit Nacogdoches. 2000. Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau. <http://www.visitnacogdoches.org>. Email Correspondence: Fitch, Pam Hill, Robert Jeffers, Jeff Kulhavy, Aaron McDonald, Judy Torres-MacDonald, Mary Alice

Carmona, Matthew, Heath, Tim, Oc, Taner, and Tiesdell, Steve. Public Places Urban Spaces, The Dimensions for Urban Design. New York: Architecture Press, 2003 CETS Virtual Tour Page. 2000. The Center for East Texas Studies, Stephen F. Austin State University. <http://www.cets.sfasu.edu/VR/vr.htm>. The Chamber, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce. 2005. Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce. <http://www.nacogdoches.org>. City of Austin Official Website. 2005. The city of Austin. < http://www.ci.austin.tx.us>. City of Nacogdoches Official Website. 2005. The city of Nacogdoches. <http://www.ci.nacogdoches.tx.us/>. East Texas Research Center. 2005. Ralph W. Steen Library, Stephen F. Austin State University. <http://libweb.sfasu.edu/etrc/default.htm>.

Lynch, Kevin. The Image of the City. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1960. Nacogdoches Housing Authority. 2005. Nacogdoches Housing Authority. <http://www.nacogdoches-ha.org>. NEDCO. 2005. Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation. <http://www.nedco.org>. Passini, Romedi and Nostrand, Van. Wayfinding in Architecture. New York: Reinhold Company, 1984. Stephen F. Austin State University Official Website. 2005. Stephen F. Austin State University. <http://www.sfasu.edu>.