The City of Heath has launched an exciting new project: the design of Heath Towne Center, also known as the Towne Center Overlay District, and a plan for Towne Center Park.
The Downtown Overlay District Design
Located generally on all four sides of the intersection of FM 740/Laurence Drive and Smirl Drive, the Heath Towne Center (HTC) received special attention during the 2018 Comprehensive Plan process including significant citizen input expressing the desire to retain a unique semi-rural feel by concentrating future commercial development within the HTC.
“The design project is our next step in creating the type of town center atmosphere at the heart of our community that citizen’s have made clear they want,” said Mayor Kelson Elam.
“This is the ideal location for current and future restaurants, shopping, and gathering spaces, as well as trails and shaded amenities that complement the existing Towne Center Park, City Hall and other development in the vicinity.”
A major goal of this project is to provide a proposed circulation plan and urban design scheme that is based upon current standards and zoning. This is not a process to change what has previously been adopted through the 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
The project is funded and directed by the Heath Economic Development Corporation/Heath Municipal Benefits Corporation (HEDC/HMBC) with a stakeholder committee that includes HEDC/HMBC Board members, City Council liaisons, City staff, HTC property owners and HTC businesses.
“Our mission as a board is to expand the City’s sales tax base in order to ease the reliance upon property taxes and increase the quality of life citizens enjoy,” said David Lane, president of the HEDC/HMBC.
“While a certain level of commercial development is important to a community, we are all united in retaining what makes Heath special, including its small town warmth and charm. We are pleased to have a working group with representation from all key stakeholders in this initiative and look forward to keeping citizens up to date,” he said.
Towne Center Park Plan
A parallel project to the HTC design is a separate plan for the Towne Center Park that is also funded by the HEDC/HMBC in support of the Park Board’s long-term park planning budget. Towne Center Park is a key event and recreation space in Heath, and therefore an important asset to HTC.
Future programming areas, multi-functional event space with essential infrastructure (ex. locations for power hookups, a stage), ballfields and play areas will all be mapped out in a plan with a corresponding phased cost estimate for future consideration of funding. This jewel of Heath needs upgrades, and the plan will be a roadmap to help make them happen. Watch for the Citizens Survey coming soon so that you can provide input.
Both the Towne Center Overlay District Design and Towne Center Park Plan are being developed by the consulting firm of Kimley-Horn. Anticipated completion is Fall 2021. A digital hub has been launched at DesignHTC.com to help keep citizens informed and involved.