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Community Awareness
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Public Forum Set for Tuesday at
SouthCentral Church of Christ
Tyler—Responding to a cry often heard in the
community for more information and accountability from those elected to office,
The Smith County Coalition of Black Elected Officials will host a community
forum on Tuesday May 19. The town hall type meeting will take place at the
Church of Christ at SouthCentral, 3415 Frankston Highway at 6:00 pm, and will
feature all Black elected officials, or as program chair and Senior Pastor
Darryl Bowdre explains, almost all have been invited.
"We have especially invited those elected to office within the city limits of
Tyler, including the representatives from Tyler ISD," said Bowdre. "We often
hear and concur that the community needs to come together in a forum setting
when there is not a social tragedy or controversial issue. Through there is
plenty of controversy to o around, this meeting is not being held to address any
issue in particular. We all have concerns ranging from the county to the city of
Tyler to the school district. It is time to hear from our political leadership.
It is past time for them to apprise us of things going on in their respective
offices that we need to know about. The only one who has not been invited to
speak is Judge Quincy Beavers, and we believe this forum would not be an
appropriate setting for a sitting judge."
According to Bowdre and co-chair Derrick Choice, the meeting will call for each
elected official present to give a 10 minute presentation of his or her own
choosing. There will be a brief period of question and answer after all
officials have spoken.
"We hope that the citizenry will get in the good habit and pattern of attending
meetings like this on a consistent basis," Mr. Choice remarked. "It is
absolutely necessary for a community to be informed and enlightened in order to
make intelligent decisions. Such a forum also keeps elected people accountable
to those who place them in office. It's a win-win situation for everyone."
Invited officials include Precinct 4 County Commissioner JoAnn Hampton, Precinct
1 Constable Henry Jackson, North District City Councilman Ralph Caraway, West
District City Councilman Donald R. Sanders, Northwest Place Tyler ISD Trustee
Orenthia Mason and West District Tyler ISD Trustee Therelee Washington.
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Celebrate
Black History
Know your
story...
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North Chase Development Brings
Change to North Tyler
By Darryl Bowdre
TYLER- Earlier this year when the plans for the new development called North
Chase were unveiled to the public, it was met with excitement and pride. After
sitting undeveloped for 45 years, the 395 wooded acres at the intersection of
North Broadway Avenue and Loop 323 are about to become the kind of project many
have dreamed about for the north end of Tyler.
The development called North Chase is the dream of developer Ed Thompson who
owns and operates North Chase Development. North Chase is a master-planned,
mixed-use development of low-, medium-, and high-density residential areas,
along with dedicated green spaces and mixed-use retail, commercial and office
spaces.
"This project is the result of a shared vision between North Chase Development,
the City of Tyler, the Tyler Economic Development Council, Tyler 21 and the
citizens of Tyler," Thompson said. "I am excited to be part of something that
many have dreamed about over the years."
The goals of this project are: to promote homeownership by offering quality
housing options for all income levels; to encourage substantial investment in
this part of Tyler; and to create new jobs and business opportunities.
One of the first projects to be built in the development is Lake View Apartment
Homes, which will be the first elderly Housing Tax Credit development in the
City of Tyler since 1993.
On July 31, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs awarded
Lankford Interests, LLC and principle Michael Lankford $1.15 million in Housing
Tax Credits to help finance the 140-unit Lake View Apartment Homes.
The Housing Tax Credit program was implemented in 1986 by the IRS to encourage
private development of properties with rents restricted to the income of the
individual resident. The units will be set aside for residents making 30% of
Area Medium Income (AMI), 50% of the AMI and 60% of the AMI. A small number of
units with no income restrictions will be rented at market rates. In addition to
the income restriction, Lake View Apartment Homes will be reserved for residents
55 years of age or older.
Lake View Apartments will consist of 35 single story 4-plexes that will have the
look and feel of a private, gated single-family subdivision. There will be 44
one-bedroom, one-bath units that will be 840 square feet. The balance of the
development will be 96 two-bedroom, two bath units that will be 1,045 square
feet. Each unit will include laundry connections, built-in bookshelves, and
energy efficient appliances including a dishwasher and garbage disposal.
Lake View Apartment Homes will be an "Active" Independent development with a
large number of on-site amenities including a community center that will house a
computer/learning center, a health room for regular health monitoring such as
blood pressure, a physical fitness center, a beauty shop and a clubroom for
regularly scheduled activities, as well as a kitchen for parties and events.
Outdoor features include a large swimming pool, hot tub spa and a covered
outdoor pavilion with a lake view for outdoor events. To ensure the privacy of
its residents, the property will be completely surrounding with a fence and
card-operated gates.
When residents are ready for off-site activities, a Lake View passenger van will
be available for group resident transportation needs such as shopping, beauty
shop appointments and social activities. It is anticipated the first units will
be ready for occupancy in late fall of 2009 and completed in spring of 2010.
Pre-leasing will begin immediately and prospective residents are encouraged to
call Lankford Property Management. For more information, call 713-877-0100.
"I am so grateful to the city officials of Tyler for their strong support of
this project," Lankford said. "The city included Lake View Apartment Homes as a
part of the utility construction along Broadway, which made the development
possible. They also traveled to Austin to appear before the Board of the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs to express their support for this
important project. Lankford Interests, LLC has developed approximately 1,500
Housing Tax Credit Units in 14 developments primarily in Central and East Texas
over the past 11 years.
Another component of North Chase is Forest Meadow, and will be developed
concurrently and is planned as a townhome community featuring fifty
1,700-square-foot units. Each unit will have three bedrooms, two baths, a single
car garage, utility room, gourmet kitchen, covered patio, stone facades, and
custom touches throughout.
Residents of Forest Meadow will enjoy easy access to green spaces including
Woldert Park, which features walking trails and a community lake with fishing
pier. Glass Recreation Center is also adjacent to the development and offers
weight lifting facilities, as well as various classes throughout the year. A
homeowner's association means yards are maintained to ensure a beautiful
neighborhood all year round.
La Bandera is currently planned as a 45-acre subdivision nestled between two
private lakes. One lake will be 10 acres and the other is planned for 4-5 acres
near almost 45 acres of undisturbed green space. There are 125-130 home sites in
this gated community with purchase prices beginning in the $250s. The houses in
La Bandera will be similar to the custom homes built in the Lavender Estates
subdivision.
Fallen Oaks is currently planned as a medium-density gated subdivision with
150-200 home sites.
The Marquis is currently planned as an upscale apartment complex that will start
with 260 units, but may grow to as many as 600. This project will be built in
two phases.
The Shops at River Oaks is currently zoned mixed-use commercial and retail. This
area offers great frontage or accessibility to North Broadway and Loop 323, two
of Tyler's busiest roadways. Business could locate in this area include a
pharmacy, gas station, dry cleaner, branch bank, as well as restaurants
North Chase Commons features mixed-use retail, office, and residential zoning.
This area provides space for professional offices, smaller retail
establishments, and residential spaces.
The Green Space that surrounds North Chase features natural lakes and drainage
ways. It is adjacent to Woldert Park with a planned walking trail connection
throughout the 180-acre greenbelt. This dedicated green space will be preserved
for the enjoyment of North Chase residents and visitors.
The team working on this project for North Chase Development, LLC includes Ron
Mabry Architects, urban planners Planning Concepts, Southside Bank, Law Office
of Ralph Allen, Bob Matush Surveying, Inc., Ballard and Braughton engineers,
with web site design by Zipper Studios and Krantz PR. Additional support
provided by Bancorp South and First Bank and Trust of East Texas.
For more information about these projects, contact Ed Thompson, president of
North Chase Development LLC, at 903-780-0360 or visit www.northchasetyler.com.
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