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Sustainable Places
“Site Map” Elgin, TX August, 2011
Legend: Property Descriptions/Owners, Elgin, TX
Sustainable Places
“Site Map” Elgin, TX August, 2011
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1: City of Elgin, Park and Ride (CARTS)
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2
Owner, Description
2: City of Elgin, Elgin Memorial Park
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3: Elgin ISD, Administrative Building
4: Elgin ISD, Walk/Run track open to the public
5: Elgin ISD, Elgin Elementary
6: City of Elgin, Morris Memorial Park and Pool
(community center, pool and park)
7: City of Elgin, Morris Memorial Park: trail/pond
3
8: Elgin Cemetery Association, Elgin Cemetery
9: Elgin ISD, ACC Elgin Campus
10: Keith Newman, Newt’s Gin Events Center
6
11: City of Elgin, Veterans’ Memorial Park
23
24
21
4
32
7
33
14
5
20
13: Lundgren Family, Cotton oil mill
14
22
14: Lundgren Family, undeveloped lot
19
8
15: Keith Snowden, undeveloped lot
13
18
31
45
28
17
46
12
10
30
11
27
9
15
37
27
27
25
18: Ed Rivers, three buildings
34
27
19: Ernest Bogart, two story building
35
16
20: Melissa Cole, one building
27
48
47
26
44
41
43
28
36
21: Todd Frank, undeveloped lot
40
42
22: Lundgren Family, cotton oil mill
28
23: Lundgren Family, cotton oil mill
39
39
16: Keith Newman, two buildings
17: Keith Newman, one building
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28
12: City of Elgin, city public works yard
38
24: City of Elgin, (city hall-library-municipal court)
25: Margo Sawyer, Sawyer Foundation building
26: Margo Sawyer, two buildings (adaptive reuse)
27: City of Elgin, Union Pacific lots to be acquired
28: W.C. Estes, five buildings
29: City of Elgin, Elgin Depot Museum
Elgin was established in 1872 as a stop on the Houston &Texas Central rail line, which brought
immigrants from the Galveston port. Like thousands of communities throughout the nation,
Elgin was built up because of rail, had its rise and decline with rail and now is recreating itself as
a sustainable place with rail. Located 19 miles east of Austin in Bastrop County, Elgin offers a
unique planning opportunity that combines mass transportation, mixed use development,
higher education, recreational opportunities, and housing choices, with walkability, and public
safety in a historic business district. The site area includes a variety of housing, shopping,
employment, medical, educational, cultural and recreational choices. By targeting an existing
business district both utility and building infrastructure is maintained and enhanced. The
available privately owned undeveloped property in the site area is approximately 7.5 acres and
offers the opportunity to create a dynamic mixed use environment.
The transportation infrastructure in place today includes the 990 line by CARTS and
Capital Metro which provides six daily connections Monday through Friday service to Austin.
The Capital Metro future Greenline is located in the center of the site area. This line is
designated to be the next commuter rail line and would be part of the new transit stop
proposed in the STPMM CAMPO grant the City of Elgin submitted in June. In addition, Elgin is
located at the intersection of Hwy. 290 and Hwy. 95 north, only eight miles from SH130, the site
area includes the north south Union Pacific Railroad line and State Highway Loop 109.
Pedestrian access throughout the downtown part of the site area is complete, safe, accessible
and modern. The pedestrian system supports living, working and shopping in the downtown
area.
The downtown area provides jobs and services for center residents and a link with the
ACC Elgin Center. ACC specializes in providing workforce development and accessible post high
school training so that individuals can earn a livable wage. The site area includes ample
opportunities for exercise, recreation, and access to medical services. The River Valley Farmers
Market has been in operation as a growers market in downtown Elgin for 26 years. Elgin
Elementary School is rated as TEA Recognized. The Elgin Public library is a focal point for
children, adults and civic group due to its programs and community room.
The site area (11,117,820 sq ft, .39 square miles, 255.23 acres) is downtown bounded by
Brenham Street to Lexington from Avenue E to Avenue A including Newt’s Gin, a recent
adaptive reuse project that created an events center, and the path from Veterans’ park to Park
& Ride on Hwy. 95 north. The historic district has been consistently called out as the heart of
the community. Since 1990 the private and public sectors have invested more than $11 million
in Downtown, which is a recognized National Main Street Community.
The site area is already home to mixed use development and multi-modal
transportation with a variety of development options near CARTS transit service. The existing
infrastructure can support future growth. Development here will include adaptive reuse, infill,
and residential development with street level uses that maximize pedestrian activity. The
historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and includes a local historic
district ordinance that requires preservation of significant historic structures. The community’s
identity and sense of place is tied into the center of this site area. Development in this area will
have minimal effect on the natural environment as it is already a built area. Site area property
owners, local leadership, and regional partners will make it a successful demonstration project.
Elgin will produce a transferrable model.
Section 2 Issue statement
Being designated as a demonstration site will give the city the planning expertise and
resources that it needs to efficiently move forward with and implement sustainable practices.
In many respects downtown Elgin is already a demonstration site with many partners for varied
purposes. This planning grant would give Elgin the tools to implement sustainable growth and
development. The information will lay a foundation for organizations such as the Economic
Development Corporation in their growing effort to bring in quality growth.
The technical and professional assistance will capture the momentum and channel the
enthusiasm for growth into positive and sustainable growth that will benefit the whole region.
The grant will encourage even greater community involvement and new development. Many
properties in the site area are ripe for redevelopment that could do much more for the area
such as housing more residents, creating more restaurants and entertainment venues in the
district, and securing multi-modal transit options.
Elgin, a medium activity center, envisions itself as a community with a diversified
foundation in sustainable agriculture, community development and economic development
that can be successful for the long haul. Elgin is not looking for quick fixes but understands that
visionary planning, public involvement, and wise investments will pay dividends for the
community. Political leadership is committed to considering policy changes that would support
more sustainable development in the future. The City has applied for grants specifically to
support sustainable agriculture and community development. A recent grant application
project with CAMPO included a cash local match of more $400,000 to build a transit center in
the site area, a two mile multipurpose path, and to rebuild 2nd Street from Main Street to 11th
Street.
This site area has all the features that make a sustainable place possible and it has
property owners, local leadership, and regional partners that will make it a successful
demonstration project. Elgin will produce a transferrable model. Elgin is economically and
ethnically diverse. It is more ex-urban than urban, part of the Austin metro while still being an
independent community with its own clear identity. The site area includes the Austin
Community College Elgin Center, Union Depot Museum, Elgin Medical Center, Elgin Library,
municipal government, post office, businesses, a grocery store, restaurants, a Dollar General,
churches and small manufacturers such as Sunrise Tacos, Earthen Metals, Elgin Cotton Oil Mill,
and Sustainable Fibers. There are 65 single family homes ranging in size from 800 to 1500 sq.ft,
loft style living above turn of the 19th century buildings, 5 duplexes, apartments, and a rooming
house. The variety of existing housing meets the needs of all ages and types of families. The
Elgin Main Street program partnered with the River Valley Farmers Market and the City of Elgin
to secure a free venue for the market on Saturdays in downtown Elgin. The move to Veterans’
Memorial Park in the site area makes their products even more accessible.
This is a culturally vital area with a museum run entirely by volunteers and open seven
days per week. Elgin is 4.7 square miles overall. Within the site area, recreational
opportunities include a ½ mile hike and bike path, an Elgin ISD track and field, multiuse sport
fields, basketball, swimming, tennis, baseball and softball, sand volleyball, and playscapes. The
City offers curbside recycling to all residents and is an active participant with Keep Bastrop
County Beautiful.
The 990 line supports mass transit access to Austin for commuters and those headed to
Austin for weekday fun. CARTS also offers paratransit services locally, transportation to Austin
for specific destinations on a reservation basis, and has new intercity service planned that will
include an Elgin stop in 2012. The 990 line operates from a dedicated park and ride facility on
Hwy. 95 North, approximately 1.7 miles from the center of the site area. CARTS and the City of
Elgin are planning for a transit stop near Veterans’ Park in downtown. The 990 line includes
stops in Manor and travels via North Lamar to the University of Texas and the Austin CBD. The
site area includes the Elgin ACC enter, Elgin Elementary School which has provided outstanding
education for pre K through 5th graders for decades, Elgin Middle School football field, Head
Start, and the Elgin ISD Administrative offices. Sustainable building and site designs to
encourage green building and conservation would be encouraged in the future.
The Elgin Comprehensive plan completed in 2009 emphasizes preservation of
agricultural land uses in the Guiding Principles Goals and Polices. An area of the plan calls out
the importance of utilizing Elgin’s current resources and agricultural background to enhance ongoing economical and residential growth in the area. The plan directs resources for
infrastructure and growth related services away from areas identified for agricultural land
preservation. The plan calls out encouraging efforts to retain existing agricultural uses through
conservation easements and other mechanisms. The plan recommends creating an agricultural
zoning district. Being picked as a demonstration site would help Elgin develop and implement
the tools to designate areas of higher density residential land uses in the site area. The plan
includes a land use goal to “Encourage industrial and commercial growth to provide a jobs to
housing balance in Elgin”. Being a demonstration city could help Elgin determine how to
encourage industrial and commercial endeavors that use local agricultural products and create
sustainable employment in Elgin.
The Parks, Recreation and Open Space master plan completed in 2011 provides
guidelines for parks, recreation and open space development by 2021. Aspects of development
include, additional neighborhood parks, enhancing Veterans’ Memorial Park, adaptive reuse of
the old hospital into a community center, community gardens, and trails. Maintaining existing
recreational space and adding to it with additional trails to serve the community area is a
priority. Community gardens are a part of that conversation. Maintaining existing recreational
space and adding it to it with additional trails to serve the community are a priority. The
Alternative Transportation and Trails master plan also completed in 2011 provides a guide for
preserving open space while improving pedestrian and cyclist access, safety and overall
community connectivity.
Private property owners Todd Frank, Keith Snowden, Elgin Cotton Oil Mill, ED Rivers,
Molly Alexander and WC Estes, share their commitment and their property in the support
letters included in the appendix. Elgin should be chosen as a site area due to its previous
planning, extensive partnerships, and the reality that all organizations are working towards
sustainable growth, improving Elgin and making a great community even better.
Local Resources
Primary Point of contact: Amy Miller, Community Development Director
Support Staff: Gary Cooke, Planning & Development Director , Greg Vick, City Manager, Joe
Newman, Economic Development Director, Alicia Stoll Parks & Recreation Program Manager
The City of Elgin Planning and Development Department and other city departments
work closely with TRC Engineering and the Bastrop County planning office on projects that
require advanced mapping and data information systems such as GIS mapping. The city utilizes
CAPCOG for the extrapolation of national and regional data. Internally the city has a categorical
organization system of shared files in electronic format that allows for easy access to large
amounts of data including information pulled from the previous sources and many other data
collections such as the census bureau. The city’s current and historical land use zoning, parcel
boundaries and infrastructure capacity/location maps and information are in Adobe PDF format
with the original CAD and ARCGIS files located on servers at the county level or at TRC
Engineering. The City enjoys a highly efficient working relationship with TRC engineering and
Bastrop County on these types of projects. City staff utilizes excel, publisher, access, Google
Earth, and Dreamweaver CS4 software to supplement the creation and distribution of
information on land use zoning, parcel boundaries and infrastructure capacity/location.
Staff experience: Greg Vick, City Manager, comes to Elgin with more than 30 years
experience in municipal government. He managed Cedar Hills in the Dallas Fort Worth area
from a sleepy burg, population 6,000 in 1982 to a population of 30,000 in 1999. Through these
staggering growth challenges in Cedar Hill and subsequent cities such as North Richland Hills
and Farmers Branch, Greg gained experience with TIFs, urban style developments, and
transportation oriented development. From development agreements with the private sector
to guiding city councils through policy change to support positive growth, Greg’s experience is
valuable to both Elgin and this demonstration model project. Greg holds a Masters Degree in
Public Administration from the University of North Texas.
Gary Cooke, Planning and Development Director for the City of Elgin with more than 25
years experience, areas of expertise include land use, zoning, code enforcement. Guided the
Comprehensive plan in 2009, the first comprehensive plan in 1980’s and the revision in 1996.
Amy Miller, Community Development Director with fifteen years experience in
economic development, community development, downtown revitalization, grant writing and
grant administration was a certified economic developer, completed the Economic
Development Institute and has led Elgin in the Texas Main Street program since 1996. Elgin has
earned National Main Street Recognition every year since 1997 when the Texas Historic
Commission began participating in it. Miller holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration
from the University of North Texas.
Joe Newman, Economic Development Director was President/CEO of the Greater
Bastrop Economic Development Corporation from November 1999 – March 2011. Bastrop
experienced significant commercial and industrial growth during this time. Former Manager,
Houston Division of the Capital Certified Dev't. Corp. - the State's largest SBA-504 lender, and
President/CEO & Registered Lobbyist of the Texas Economic Development Council for 6 years
(the nation's largest statewide association of economic developers)
Alicia Stoll joined the City of Elgin in October 2010 as the Parks & Recreation Program
Manager. Working in the Parks & Community development department, Stoll has shared her
expertise beyond parks and recreation in many community projects. Her skills with mapping,
creating presentations, and analysis were key to the department successfully creating in-house
the Elgin Parks, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan 2011-2012 and the Elgin Alternative
Transportation and Trails Master Plan, both adopted by City Council in spring 2011. Stoll holds
a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis on Parks & Recreation from the University of
Arkansas.
Bastrop County committed in-kind matching technical expertise for the sustainable
places grant. The Assistant Director of the Planning and Project Management Department for
Bastrop County, Rachel Clampher graduated from Texas A&M with a Masters Degree in Urban
Planning with an emphasis on transportation planning. She has worked with the City of Austin,
CAMPO, and the Austin Water Utility. Capital Metro committed $10,000 in staff time to work
with the City of Elgin on the sustainable places grant. TRC Engineering has provided high
quality services to the City of Elgin for more than twenty years and regularly provides in-kind
services.
CARTS and Capital Metro work with Elgin and are providing the 990 commuter bus
route. Elginites can select the 990 and save on gas, parking, time and personal mental health.
While the commuter service just started in early 2011, the full size buses are full and are
equipped for riders to bring their bicycles. Capital Metro works seamlessly with CARTS to
provide the transition to Austin. The Elgin Independent School district and Austin Community
College are partners in education in the site area. The Texas Organic Farmers and Gardeners
Association (TOFGA) selected Elgin for its state headquarters and is working with Elgin on the
SARE grant to develop sustainable agriculture resources. The Friends of Elgin Parks and the
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board are partners in sustainable development and promoting the
recreation activities in the community.
The improvements and capacities listed below in conjunction with the City’s water
source the Wilcox Carrizo Aquifer provide the necessary infrastructure for continued residential
and commercial / industrial growth. Expanded water treatment plant from 1.8 MGD to 3.6
MGD, Drilled new Well # 15 – 1100 gpm, replaced 12” transmission line from plant to elevated
storage tanks in town with 18” transmission line, added additional 500,000 elevated storage
tank in 2000 – this increased elevated storage capacity to 1,000,000 gallons. Wastewater: the
City of Elgin is in the planning stages for $2.5 million lift station to west of town for growth and
funding has been approved. In November 2010 voters in the Elgin Independent School District
approved joining the Austin Community College District. Elgin ISD was the only district in
Bastrop County with a successful election. ACC breaks ground November 15, 2011 on a 95 acre
campus. The first three story structure will include 65,000 square feet.
Elgin resident and downtown champion, WC Estes was recognized in 2002 as Texas
Downtown Association Downtowner of the Year. This prestigious statewide award is an honor
for the individual and the community and recognizes a depth of commitment to sustainable
community development. Elginites are committed, creative, and visionary people who are
willing to invest their financial resources and volunteer thousands of hours annually through
Envision Elgin, city boards, and community development projects.
Local Capacity
In the mid-1980’s the community of Elgin was barely a shadow of itself in its cotton,
agriculture, thriving community days from 1872 to the 1950’s. The decline of small towns that
washed across the United Sates as the automobile became accessible and common place and
the outer edges of a community more desirable than its core, hit Elgin too. By the 1980’s there
were fifteen bars in the downtown business district of this community of 4,000 and a grass
roots movement began to breathe life into not just the downtown but the community as a
whole. Elgin became a self-certified Main Street City in 1989. At the time this was an option
for communities that were not accepted into the program but wanted to implement the Main
Street Four Point Approach. The sprawl of the nation was evidenced here as in almost any
community in the US. Elgin officially started the Main Street program in 1990 with donated
office furniture and office supplies and an expectation from the City Council that there be
results. In 1990 and 1991 the City created a historic district zoning overlay for the majority of
the downtown area. This ordinance requires that any alteration visible from a public right of
way to a structure be reviewed and approved by the Historic Review Board before a building
permit is issued. Technical assistance from the state and a paint assistance program supported
a variety of renovations. The City passed liquor by the drink in 1995. In 1995 the district was
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The City established design guidelines for the
district and implemented support programs such as the Dumpster / Roll Off program, Paint
Reimbursement program, and a graffiti removal program which still exist today. In 1995 Elgin
applied for the first of three Texas Capital Fund Infrastructure grants and over the next six years
implemented a sidewalk repair and replacement program that provides safe accessible
pedestrian access throughout the downtown area. Benches, trash cans, self-watering planters,
banners, and park improvements were all part of the overall downtown revitalization program.
By 1996 there were four bars in the downtown area and the new business investment,
property improvements, and community events were bringing up the lease rates to support
quality of tenants. Property owners invested creating loft apartments, street level retail, and
offices. City zoning supported residential uses downtown. The City initiated and completed the
following renovation and adaptive reuse projects with funding from ISTEA, TEA 21, Meadows
Foundation, Alcoa Foundation, Lower Colorado River Authority, Anice Read Fund, and others:
Union Depot (Museum), H&TC Freight Depot (chamber visitors center), 114 Depot Street
(Community Cupboard). The City owns and renovated from local public funds: The Dr. IB
Nofsinger House (City Hall), 202 Depot Street (police department). The community approved
bonds to build a new library in downtown which opened in 2003. These projects kept
community and municipal services in the downtown area which support a livable and walkable
community. The City of Elgin approved bonds in May 2011 to fund relocating the Public Works
service yard out of downtown. This opens up almost a full block adjacent to the Elgin Police
Department.
A Texas Capital Fund Real Estate loan totaling $1.5 million built a new industrial building
in the Elgin Business Park and secured a variety of new manufacturing jobs for the community.
The building is now home to Accurate Elastomer Products Inc. The City of Elgin received and
administered Texas Parks & Wildlife Department grants including the Thomas Memorial Park
grant which provided extensive new recreation facilities at an existing park. The City uses
professional grant administrators for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds
that it receives. These funds are used to improve the water and wastewater system which is
very successful under the state grant priorities. Improvements to the City’s water and
wastewater system directly supported new housing development in early 2000’s.
The City’s commitment to sustainable development extends beyond downtown and the
site area. The Morris Hospital building served the community with medical and emergency
services until the 1970’s, when the unexpected death of Dr. Morris led to the closure of the
facility. In 1994 the City of Elgin purchased the 13 acre site and the art deco style hospital
structure. Through a Texas Parks & Wildlife grant the city created a community park with
swimming pool. The City installed a new roof and mothballed the building until funds could be
set aside for its development as a community center. In May 2011 the City approved
Certificates of Obligation coupled with funds set aside over the years for the project and
embarked on a $750,000 adaptive reuse project to transform the old hospital building into a
community center. This is number 6 adjacent to the site area.
The City is now tackling the challenge of preserving the Mary Christian Burleson
homestead which dates to 1847, including it in a 23 acre park with agricultural features in the
northeast quadrant of town that does not have a park within walking distance. A non-profit
organization is leading this project in partnership with the City of Elgin. Elgin is targeting
sustainable agriculture and community development practices through a SARE Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education grant. The results of the grant will establish new city
policies to support future sustainable development. The City’s partnership with the River Valley
Farmers Market supported creating a market on Saturdays in downtown Elgin that opened in
February 2011. The year round market includes live music, art for the kids, and a variety of
producers.
The City applied for a CAMPO STPMM grant in June that includes a partnership with
Texas Department of Transportation and Capital Area Rural Transit System. The $1.9 million
grant includes extensive infrastructure investments in downtown including a new transit stop, a
two mile multi-purpose path to connect downtown to Hwy. 95 North Park & Ride and
reconstruction of 2nd Street for a $2.3 million project. Private sector investment in the last year
in the site area totaled more than $600,000. Current projects include Newman’s adaptive reuse
of two structures to include a restaurant, the adaptive reuse of two structures on Main Street
by Ed Rivers and partners one of which may include business incubator style space, and Margo
Sawyer’s adaptive reuse for two industrial structures to house a live work artist in residency
program. Todd Frank and Keith Snowden own undeveloped property in the site area. Along
with the Elgin Cotton Oil Mill they support the sustainable places grant and will be working with
the project. Melissa Cole, Ernest Bogart, and WC Estes own property that has been renovated
and plan to work with the project.
The Street Replacement and Repair program Phase 1 bonds were implemented on time
and on budget. Capital Metro includes Elgin’s east west rail line and calls it the Greenline. The
Greenline is included in planning documents. The City of Elgin will use comprehensive
coordination with other organizations and non-profits to address a full range of funding needs.
Capital Metro, Bastrop County, Elgin ISD, Main Street, CARTS, Texas Organic Farmers &
Gardeners Association, Keep Bastrop County Beautiful the University of Texas studio classes
from School of Architecture and many other partners are committed to the grant and to
supporting implementation of sustainable community development practices.