DOWNTOWN LUBBOCK
Four Reasons Lubbock Needs More Density
Published 08/25/2026 at 7:21pm
Table of Contents
The Topic of High Density Housing
Almost any major decisions in regards to infrastructure and development in a city as large as Lubbock is always going to create some controversy. That being said I think it’s best to take it with a grain of salt from those who think that housing isn’t in demand in Lubbock’s Downtown. I personally believe that with continued effort and investment, Downtown Lubbock is already turning into a destination for people who want a city vibe without the huge city price tag. For example one of the local news outlets recently reported that one of the luxury rental high-rises downtown has a year wait list. So it’s pretty obvious that certain types of housing with urban amenities even in the historic core of Lubbock are a hot commodity. In my opinion a city like Lubbock could greatly benefit from a dense downtown and now with more high-rises being built in the Tech Area. The topic of high and medium density housing is going to be a much debated issue of discussion. Nonetheless, below are my four main reasons why Lubbock needs more density in it’s historic core.
Lubbock will Continue to Sprawl
New data from the Lubbock Economic Development Alliance (LEDA) has projected that the Hub City could now grow to 500 thousand strong by 2060. And thanks to the ongoing construction of Loop 88 and numerous road projects on the periphery of the current city limits. The coming decades will see accelerated growth of the southern and western portions of Lubbock county. That being said; according to a draft of the city of Wolfforth’s comprehensive plan. The formerly incorporated community has added 3,500 people since 2020, making it the third largest city on the South Plains. More than likely; the Lubbock city limits and it’s surrounding satellites will grow and sprawl into the second largest metropolitan area of all West Texas behind El Paso. Not to mention that all large Texas cities are giants per square mile when compared to other cities nationally of the same population. So it’s safe to say that Lubbock’s current development pattern of suburban sprawl will not be going anywhere anytime soon. Medium and high density housing in downtown can act as a counter balance to the continued construction of subdivisions and large road projects on the outer edges of the city. Helping the city as a whole by keeping commute times down, and maintaining a sense of upward mobility and progress for many of the city’s residents.
Density if Done Right Increases Walkability
“Eyes on the street” is a philosophy coined by Jane Jacobs in the 1960’s when the core of American cities were starting to completely decay into ghost towns. At that time American downtowns were under constant assault from different forces that meant to drive investment and development away from the central business districts. The postwar boom of the 1950’s led to an explosion in suburban development and highway projects that cut many cities in two. Culminating in the ‘urban renewal’ projects that crammed many minority low income residents into large public housing units. While the newly built suburbs became places almost exclusively for wealthier white residents. Fast forward to the latter decades of the 20th century and many cities started to rethink how their urban cores should function. After a cultural renaissance in big city downtowns, more investment started to pour back in. Soon enough more dense housing had to be built to accommodate the demand for housing in these revitalized areas. Boosting tax revenue for cities to entice employers to set up shop in the urban core through direct subsidies, tax incentives and grant programs. These dense developments then and now allow residents to work, shop, play and worship all in one area of the city. Allowing residents to rely less on owning a car, and only using ride share or public transit to move outside the most walkable areas of the city.
Lubbock will Need to Expand it's Tax Base
Concerns from diminished sales tax revenue from 2025, inflation, rising costs and tax exemptions approved by voters over the past few years has strained local budgets. To maintain a high quality of life for all of the city’s residents. As Lubbock continues to grow the city will need to expand it’s tax base. Growing cities need parks, transit, health, police and fire departments to be maintained and funded. Dense city developments allow cities to increase their tax revenue more per acre than spread out low density type housing. Boosting tax revenue for these cities to support more city services like improved public transit, arts/cultural districts and recreational and health programs.
Lubbock Downtown Needs to Progress into the Future
After the 1970 tornado tore a path of destruction that stretched from north, east and downtown Lubbock. Lubbock’s sprawl to the south was spurred even more after the opening of the South Plains Mall. Those factors combined with the size of downtown and along with increasing divestment over the decades by the city and private capital. Downtown Lubbock fell into degradation and disrepair. Believe it or not Downtown Lubbock is the same size per square mile as Downtown Houston. And Houston we all know dwarfs Lubbock in economic power and population. So there’s one reason private investment has been lacking. The next logical solution to this is public investment, and now thankfully after many previous attempts over the decades. The road bond passed in 2024 will pump $17 million into Broadway for redevelopment. Which I’m sure will give more reassurance to investors that the city is willing to commit long term to the revitalization of downtown.
Time to Move Forward
Changing the current zoning regime and creating incentives for developers to build more medium and high density housing in the city’s core. Can go a long way to alleviating much of the economic and financial pain that has afflicted Lubbock’s central business district over the past 50 years. Encouraging our leaders to adopt the polices necessary, that allow incremental dense development to be prioritized in the historic center of Lubbock’s Downtown. Along with unprecedented growth and change coming to Lubbock quickly over the next few decades. We as a community can take steps now to move Lubbock toward a future where our downtown and it’s surrounding neighborhoods are more dynamic, resilient, walkable and stronger than ever before.
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