Christopher Green | Staff Reporter
Hays County is constant to develop with each new yr. The financial growth and development have led to a inhabitants improve and development may be seen all alongside the Interstate Highway 35 Corridor.
According to U.S. Census information, three of the fastest-growing counties over the previous decade had been all in Central Texas- Hays, Comal and Williamson counties. Hays County’s important growth has awarded it the title of the fastest-growing county within the United States.
The present inhabitants of Hays County is 255,397 individuals, a 5.9% improve from simply April 2020. That quantity has elevated by 46.5% previously twelve years from 157,107 residents in 2010 to 241,067 in 2020.
The improve within the whole inhabitants has led to a rise in development and growth. This growth has produced development initiatives starting from roadway enhancements, financial infrastructure and new housing developments.
Kyle, Texas
One of the areas experiencing this improve is Kyle, Texas which sits in Hays County. City workers in Kyle, is at the moment engaged on new developments to maintain up with growth within the area.
Leon Barba, Kyle Director of Engineering mentioned the city is, “exploding with growth.”
“We’re adding new sewer lines in the south part of the city. It’s really expanded development as we get those sewer lines completed,” Barba mentioned. “We’re expanding the treatment plant today from three million gallons per day capacity to four and a half million-gallon capacity, we should be finished with that in about three months with all that work. And we’re also going to talk to TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) about increasing the capacity of our plant.”
Barba mentioned among the current sewer traces are outdated and not in a position to deal with the growth occurring in Kyle.
“So, the lines are fairly old, and then they’re undersized, based on the projected growth that we’re having. And some of the lines were not installed properly is what we’re discovering. But then it’s a combination of everything. It’s the size of the lines, they’re not adequate to carry the future growth, the lines are having issues,” Barba mentioned.
“We’re getting a new Costco, we’re getting more people who are wanting to move into Kyle. More developers are looking at properties on the west side of town, on the east side of town, and on the south side of town,” Barba mentioned.
Barba mentioned the town plans to make use of funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to enhance the town’s groundwater storage web site.
“We’re going to focus all that [ARP funds] on one particular project. We have a ground storage side water storage site at 1626 near the railroad tracks. We are planning to expand that facility by adding another 1-million-gallon storage tank. We’re also planning for the future. So, we’re making enough or need more room for another,” Barba mentioned.
“So, there’s some advantages to being this fast-growing economy that eventually we’ll see some new roads, better roads, sidewalks, streetlights, that kind of thing. And then there’s others who just don’t like to grow,” Barba mentioned.
Assistant City Manager of Kyle Jerry Hendrix, mentioned the town has room to accommodate the growth it’s experiencing.
“We have a world headquarters for a semiconductor plant, we have millions of feet of either industrial and manufacturing space, and a new Costco coming out, as well as some really cool restaurants all across the board. It’s coming out as fast as we can deal with it,” Hendrix mentioned.
Assistant City Manager Amber Lewis mentioned the town has issued 3,000 new constructing permits this yr and the town is predicted so as to add 9,000 new residents to the rising inhabitants. Lewis mentioned the primary focus will probably be on bettering and constructing roads.
“Yeah, our major focus will be on roads and building roads, we need to improve roads, we need to build new roads, we need to relocate roads, but our goal is to have connectivity north, south, and east, west through our entire city and to relieve congestion,” Lewis mentioned.
The map exhibits the areas of among the ongoing development and development initiatives in Kyle and San Marcos, Texas.
Buda, Texas
Buda, Texas can also be seeing growth at a speedy charge. Planning Director for Buda Melissa McCollum mentioned the town is seeing a number of business and residential development coming to the realm.
“Developments definitely need utilities like infrastructure to the site, and the main thing being utilities like water and wastewater to a site. So that’s probably the biggest thing that development in general needs,” McCollum mentioned.
McCollum mentioned the town will probably be trying to develop metropolis companies.
“If you have additional residential development that’s in your city, then you have more citizens that you’re serving. And so, it can be anything from more utility accounts to more utility bills, that you’re having to kind of keep track up to additional infrastructure, you know, for water and sewer service on a residential level,” McCollum mentioned.
In addition to increasing infrastructure companies, McCollum mentioned they might want to develop on companies such because the police division, the hearth division and emergency medical companies.
San Marcos, Texas
Nicole Yonker, a San Marcos resident and trainer, mentioned the growth has been good for the realm however she has considerations it may result in the realm turning into just like the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“I’m a teacher. I know the growth has been good for the school district and have noticed an increase of resources and community partners as the city has expanded. The addition of the Amazon, Walmart, and HEB distribution centers have added a lot of jobs. While I don’t think the growth has been bad to this point, it feels like if we keep going at this rate, Austin-San Antonio along the I-35 corridor could become a ‘Dallas-Ft. Worth’ situation. That doesn’t sound optimal to me,” Yonker mentioned.
Maria Pantoja who beforehand lived in San Marcos however has since moved to Martindale mentioned San Marcos has develop into too costly.
“I hope San Marcos can keep their residents, but the prices to live here and afford housing, clothing and transportation… It isn’t enough to support single families or even large families,” Pantoja mentioned. “Most can’t afford housing even if it’s government housing and low income.”
Pantoja mentioned she avoids coming to San Marcos.
“The development here isn’t helping locals at all. I avoid coming into town as much as possible unless it’s going to a family member’s house,” Pantoja mentioned.
Shaun Condor, Director of Engineering and Capital Improvement in San Marcos, mentioned the development will assist the town.
“The projects will bring sub-par infrastructure up to current standards and improve the quality of life for folks around the city. Most residents understand the short-term inconveniences from construction are well worth the long-term benefits resulting in the completed project,” Condor mentioned.
Real Estate
Debbie Homeier, 2022 President of Four Rivers Board of Realtors, mentioned persons are coming largely from Eastern California in addition to elements of San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston. Homeier mentioned reasonably priced housing may be very exhausting to seek out within the present market round Central Texas.
“If they’re looking for affordable housing, they’re kind of out of luck. Right now, our affordable homes are almost nonexistent,” Homeier mentioned. “We even have a number of traders coming in, and they’re shopping for stuff earlier than our personal individuals get to have a spot.
Homeier mentioned traders can drive up the value of housing above the market worth.
“The investors are coming in and picking things out, when they’re picking things out before we can,” Homeier mentioned. “Then they’re putting money in it, turning back around and flipping them.”
Homeier mentioned costs for homes are steadily rising. The median worth for a house in San Marcos in January was $329,000 which elevated to $386,000 in February. Homeier additionally mentioned within the Hill Country area they’re beginning to see ranches being divided as much as create subdivisions. Houses in these subdivisions promote over the provided worth.
“They’re getting multiple offers in there about 18% to 20% over list which makes it not affordable housing and they’re selling within days,” Homeier mentioned.