FUTURE VISION Revitalization of the historic town square—which has included streetscape changes, a new city hall, and green space— does not end with the last of these renovations. A land use map from the 2040 comprehensive plan will inform future development, such as potential for an entertainment district east of the downtown area.
STARTS AND STOPS Talks of revitalizing Katy’s town square began in 2012. After several events paused its progression, the final renovations will conclude by Katy Rice Festival in October.
FRANZ RD.
Historic town square
KT entertainment district
90
10
N
SOURCES: BYRON HEBERT, CITY OF KATY, JANET CORTE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
INITIATING PHASE 3 The final phase of historic town square renovations includes landscaping, extension of the Harvest Plaza and murals surrounding the iconic water tower.
Harvest Plaza Landscaping
B C D E A
DOWNTOWN MIXED USE
CONTINUED FROM 1
This designation is to keep a less- developed traditional downtown area, composed of small blocks, grid street patterns and buildings close to its streets and sidewalks. This land use will encourage: • A more walkable, pedestrian-friendly character • Entertainment and cultural uses where permitted by zoning • Commercial retail, services and offices • Parks and public spaces
Extended walkway Civic Center seating Murals/water tower
those plans were changed,” Proctor said. “So the plans have been modified to be a little bit more sensible.” The entire project included improved traffic flow, infrastructure changes, a new city hall, repurposed administrative buildings, and green space to encourage foot traffic around the town square, located between Avenues B and C. City Administrator Byron Hebert said this was the original intention of the area, per a 1907 map from which the revitalization of the town square is based. The total project cost will hit $7.67 million by its conclusion in mid-October, before the Katy Rice Festival, Hebert said. Phase 3, the project’s last, has a $3.78 million price tag for its construction and design, with money coming from 2016 Civic Center bonds, hotel occupancy tax funds and general fund reserves. The work to renovate the town square has been delayed several times due to the 2016 Tax Day floods, Hur- ricane Harvey in 2017, and COVID-19 in 2020, per previous reporting by Community Impact. “This has been a long project com- ing,” Hebert said at a March 8 special meeting to approve bids for the final renovations. “The reason why we’re here today is to make sure that our time is kept.”
SOURCES: CITY OF KATY, LJA ENGINEERING/COMMUNITY IMPACT
A
D
C
KT ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT MIXED USE
E
The development in this industrial-zoned area—with the brewery and distillery uses at Katy’s historic rice dryer structures— will encourage leisure use and other business activity. This land use will encourage: • Mixed uses on single sites and within individual structures • Commercial retail, services and offices • Entertainment and cultural uses where permitted by zoning • Indoor event space and meeting hosting facilities
B
A
B
The Harvest Plaza will be extended by adding more seating and shade structures.
Landscaping and green space could help attract residents to enjoy the outdoors.
D
C
E
A walkway will extend between the water tower and Visitors Center. Restrooms will be added to the Visitors Center.
Murals will be painted on concrete walls surrounding the town square water tower. Artwork has not been nalized.
More seating will be added to the inward facing wall of the Civic Center building.
34
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook