City staff outline 'Downtown East' civic‑core plan and timeline; entitlement targeted in June

City staff presented a progress and schedule update for the Downtown East public development at the Boards and Commissions meeting, describing a two‑phase plan intended to create a civic core with retail, a recreation center, City Hall and a central plaza.

"Phase 1 will include the recreation center, which is shown as number 4, and City Hall, number 2, and the civic plaza as well as the infrastructure to support those and some additional retail," staff said, outlining the site plan for the roughly 29–32 acre property at 685 Pecan Street. Staff said rezoning notices and public hearings for the property are expected soon and that the entitlement process will go to the planning and zoning commission and city council in June.

Staff described a walkable pedestrian spine called 'D Street' that will anchor the civic plaza and note that Main and 685 will be signalized with TxDOT approval to improve access. The team said early work will use surface parking for staff and patrons in parcels identified for phase 1, with district parking garages and additional residential, retail and a hotel site possible in phase 2.

The project team described a construction timetable that targets site work and dirt moving by December; staff estimated about 20 months of construction time and said ribbon cuttings for some facilities could occur in 2026. Staff also highlighted trail connections (including a Heritage Loop Trail link), reuse concepts for historic gin‑tract elements and planned public engagement activities.

Staff will bring additional design and entitlement materials to boards and commissions as the rezoning and permitting processes advance.