CITY OF KILGORE LIVABILITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT REPORT

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1 CITY OF KILGORE LIVABILITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT REPORT Executive Summary December 12, 2012 Center for a Livable World Stephen F. Austin State University Stephen F. Austin State University s Center for a Livable World began its first (pilot) livability study in Kilgore, Texas in early The Center was initiated to conduct research on aspects of livability under the mutually reinforcing triple bottom line of economics, environment, and society. The Center draws from expertise in diverse programs across campus such as economics, health sciences, geography, government, history, and social work. Financial support for this pilot project was provided by two organizations: IHS and The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation. Kilgore was chosen for the pilot project since it already had many positive aspects, including business attraction and downtown revitalization, yet was seeking to enhance its livability to attract more residents. The pilot project coincided with a citizen planning effort, termed the Kilgore 20/20 Vision Committee, which seeks to enhance diverse aspects of the City of Kilgore over the next 5-10 years, including annexation to include the I-20 area, retail attraction, residential livability, and other amenities. Highlights of findings follow, with three in each of the triple bottom line categories. 1) Economics - A revolving loan study. Revolving loan funds create a source of investment capital that renews itself by placing returned principal, interest, and fees back into the fund. Such funds are often created by a combination of federal/state grants and private institution or nonprofit funds, for specific public purpose programs (housing, environmental cleanup, energy efficiency, small business). This report suggests the city of Kilgore establish a revolving loan fund following basic steps at the end of the report. (Principal researcher - Dr. Cindy Pressley, Public Administration). 2) Economics - A survey of realtors on perceptions of Kilgore livability. Forty-nine respondents indicate: a) the biggest deterrents to locating in Kilgore are lack of available homes (47%) and properties (47%), poor schools (37%), and lack of shopping (30%), healthcare services (28%), job opportunities (26%), and dining options (26%). 1

2 Given limited available homes and properties, the city has started a GIS inventory of potential housing developer properties and constraints (Principal researchers Scott Sellers, City of Kilgore; Dr. William Forbes, Department of Social and Cultural Analysis). 3) Economics - A location quotient assessment to analyze local economic diversity. Location quotient was analyzed to see what sectors provide a higher or lower proportion of county employment than the national average. Unsurprisingly, oil and gas support firms and (to a lesser degree) manufacturing and construction create the largest sectors. Adverse shocks to these traditional economic bases that pull in money from outside the region can have a disproportionate impact. Underrepresented sectors include information technology, management and finance, and insurance services. Large retail is also underrepresented in Kilgore. These service economy sectors, if unique and able to access a sufficient customer base (regional or remote), can also pull in money from outside Kilgore. (Principal researchers, Dr. Stephen Kosovich, Department of Economics; Dr. William Forbes). 4) Environment - A walkability assessment. The city of Kilgore is a somewhat walkable community with a downtown area that provides stores/amenities and a nice park system. The web-based Walk Score indicated Kilgore overall scored higher than cities such as Austin. Our field study found generally lower scores in neighborhoods. Walkability could be enhanced by improving safety, aesthetics, and connectivity. A list of funding opportunities was provided for trails, sidewalk enhancement, etc. (Principal researcher - Dr. DawnElla Rust, Health Sciences Department). 5) Environment - An assessment of trail opportunities. Short trails within individual Kilgore parks are popular. Longview purchased floodplains decades ago, allowing longer, linear trails with greater health benefits. Easements may be used in lieu of land purchase, but federal grant programs may not fund facilities on easements; thus city bond measures are an option. A large loop trail is proposed from Meadowbrook Park along Bighead Creek, north to the newly annexed area on I-20, back to downtown along floodplain and street bike lanes and east to Meadowbrook Park. A leg is also proposed south to the new school complex. A future extension should be considered from the I-20 area to the Sabine River bottomlands. (Principal researcher Dr. William Forbes). 2

3 6) Environment - Ecosystem services and habitat corridor (greenway) opportunities Streamside bottomlands are the highest priority habitat for protection in Kilgore, as they provide the best habitat for the most species in Texas and offer connecting corridors for wildlife. Approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of the original bottomland forest has been removed in Texas. They are less developable today due to flood risk and floodplain designation. The highest ecosystem service values (the dollar value nature provides through various processes) are typically in urban flood storage capacity. Bottomland habitats slow storm water runoff that would otherwise necessitate expensive flood control structures. Based on assessments in other Texas cities, Kilgore s bottomlands could save nearly $3 million per year in flood control structure costs. Blocks and corridors of upland pine forest are a second level priority for protection. No specific corridors are recommended as some protection or development may take priority. A habitat map is provided. (Principal researchers Dr. William Forbes, Charles Ashton, Geography). 7) Society - A report on Kilgore school district programs. A Stephen F. Austin State University College of Education faculty member interviewed Kilgore ISD staff, and reviewed the district s webpage, TEA reports, board minutes, and other information. Among the findings: 100% of teachers are highly qualified; the completion rate is 96.3%; the dropout rate continues to decrease and is below the state average; the district won the Readiness Award from ACT council in 2011; a home liaison was established to help with parent involvement; 100% of students have graduation plans; attendance exceeds the state average; and most scores on standardized tests are either at or slightly above the state average. Several staff suggested Kilgore ISD is the best kept secret in Gregg County (Principal researcher - Dr. Michelle Williams, College of Education). 8) Society - A citizen survey on livability and city services. A survey was sent in June water bills. The 346 responses did not provide a rigorous, representative sample of the population but still provide valuable feedback. Findings include: general satisfaction, with 91% satisfied with living in Kilgore, 90% consider the city safe, 74% satisfied with responsiveness of city government, 79% satisfied with traffic control, 76% satisfied with local sense of community, and 62% satisfied with recreational opportunities. Highest spending priorities were streets (94%), water and sewer (87%), healthcare facilities (87%), and attracting large retailers (70%); high satisfaction existed 3

4 with the Main Street Program, Kilgore Economic Development Corporation, curbside recycling, city park appearance, and natural areas; more shopping and dining are needed (50% of discretionary funds spent in Kilgore, 30% in Longview); Kilgore clearly has the basic infrastructure that supports a livable existence. (Principal researchers Scott Sellers, City of Kilgore; Drs. William and Margaret Forbes). 9) Society - Reports from focus groups held with diverse local citizens. Focus groups were held with a) local social service providers; b) employees at a small local business; c) a church of mostly white members; d) a church of predominantly African American members; and e) informal surveys were done within the Hispanic community. a) Local service providers brought up limited financial resources for local non-profit organizations; lack of reliable transportation for certain populations that endangered their health needs; limited access to mental health services; lack of engaging opportunities for ages 15-18; absence of skilled volunteers; a weak networking system among local agencies; a limited pool of available housing and resources for home repairs, and lack of a homeless shelter. They considered community support given for non-profit organizations to be adequate; low crime rates could be attributed to an active police department and a neighborhood watch program (Principal researcher Megan Horner, graduate student, Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant, School of Social Work). b) Employees at a small local business suggested many activities are offered that promote community involvement, including concerts on Main Street, a Shakespeare Festival, Pump Jacks, and Down Town Days ; an increased sense of community familiarity promotes sense of safety and improved services. Lack of housing causes some who work in Kilgore to live elsewhere. This residential flight reduces business Kilgore gets from income earned within the community. Kilgore benefits from proximity to larger cities, allowing residents to enjoy its small town atmosphere, while enjoying big city amenities; goods and services are less expensive, lessening financial strain on residents; a revived sense of spiritual and emotional well-being improves quality of life; a commitment to buy locally increases sense of reciprocity (Principal researchers Lauren Skinner, graduate student, Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant, School of Social Work) c) Predominantly white church members expressed high overall satisfaction with the community; members extolled the convenience that Kilgore offers, with services, 4

5 jobs, and housing in close proximity. This positively affects quality of life; members feel safe because of a sense of familiarity. The members complained about the transient population that contributed to a sense of insecurity; volunteer opportunities are plentiful, creating social outlets for individuals and reciprocity among members; many positive opportunities exist for children to succeed and become involved, adding to parents sense of satisfaction with the community; a large discrepancy separates wages for men and women with a high school education or lower - opportunities are available in the oil field for men, but without a corresponding opportunity for women to earn comparable pay; members were concerned about the community s ability to continue developing an employable workforce for the oil industry; members echoed concern about a lack of housing. (Principal researchers Lauren Skinner, Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant). d) African-American church members suggested spirituality has been the community s anchor, especially for rural elderly; this was the key to enhancing quality of life. Members believed social injustice and discrimination remain sensitive areas for African Americans, which negatively affects their quality of life; resentment and lack of forgiveness may create division among races and are certainly impacting equal access to services; yet social capital and cultural diversity are major assets. More interactions could foster solidarity among groups; a study on African American males could help understand their needs; more cooperation among churches could help the elderly with depression and isolation; schools/churches could educate youth on farming as a supplement to oil jobs; more social workers in schools/organizations could offer services more sensitive to needs of the African American culture; (Principal researchers Ricka Mammah, graduate student, Dr. Oliphant, Dr. Kim Rich-Rice, School of Social Work). e) Hispanic community members were surveyed. Recent migrants (four day laborers) indicate Kilgore is a decent place to live but without work they will move to bigger cities. Many lack transportation and private quarters, food when there is no work, and entertainment and electricity when no one works. Two long-established immigrants (15 years) like the tranquility but lack fresh foods; they miss Mexico but not the danger; no work for females; most locals are friendly. (Wilma Cordova, School of Social Work). 5

6 Kilgore Livability Enhancement Project recommendations follow, based on project findings. Most recommendations reinforce more than one of the three triple bottom line categories. An example is walkability and trail enhancement, which supports greenways (environment), but also attract residents to live there (economics) and foster social interaction and health (society). Publicizing ISD programs can foster community pride (society), lead to a more qualified workforce (economics), and help attract residents (economics). All recommendations are supported by more than one finding: 1) Establish a revolving loan fund for specific public purpose programs such as housing, energy efficiency, and small business start-up (findings 1, 3, 9a, b); 2) Economically diversify through retail (especially I-20) and other service sectors, keeping dining/shopping local and attracting outside spending (findings 2, 3); 3) Support/utilize the city s GIS inventory of potential housing developer properties and constraints, to interest residential developers (findings 2, 8, 9b, 9c); 4) Consider a mixed use development with design standards for green space on I- 20, incorporating retail and high and low end housing, to counter a public image of Kilgore as blue-collar and industrial (findings 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9b, 9c) 5) Enhance walkability by improving safety, aesthetics, and connectivity along streets, sidewalks, and trails. A list of funding sources, many of which are in decline, is provided for trails, sidewalk enhancement, etc. (findings 3, 4, 5, 6, 8) 6) While allowing selected priority development, protect bottomland (streamside) woodlands for their multiple benefits such as flood storage, aesthetics, trail areas, and quality wildlife corridors and habitat (findings 3, 4, 5, 6, 8). 7) Publicize positive aspects of the Kilgore ISD programs to counter false, negative perceptions that Kilgore has substandard schools (findings 2, 7, 8); 8) Meet needs/foster interaction of culture groups/service providers, such as walkable park access/wide trails for Hispanic families and programs for African- American firms (esp. downtown), history, elderly, young males (findings 9d, e); 9) Continue to support successes, including church service work, downtown revitalization, industrial recruitment, social capital of citizens, new school programs, general civic engagement, and bright and motivated city staff. Kilgore is well ahead of many communities in these areas (findings 2, 7, 8). 6