It’s no secret that we’re in the thick of election season with large rallies being held in swing states. Political ads are being blasted over the airwaves and voting sites opened throughout the city in grocery stores, schools, and the like.

Living in politically conservative Lubbock and West Texas. You have heard your whole life, probably like myself. That your vote doesn’t matter during the general election. As we know Texas will most indeed be won by the Republican Presidential candidate. And aside from the Presidential race, most state elections are decided by people in big cities and suburbs nowhere near the far-flung communities here on the South Plains and West Texas.

Then I’m sure it would come to surprise you that voters here in Lubbock have a chance to reshape our very own city in a way that many of us never thought possible until recent years.

Proposition A the current Road Bond proposal that is on this year’s ballot; specifically the proposal to devote $16 million to redeveloping Broadway from Ave Q (U.S. Hwy 84) to Ave E.

That being said I think if you considered what is being proposed for Prop A you’d vote YES.

$16 million of the bond would be spent to redevelop Broadway in Downtown Lubbock. If I’m not mistaken it could be the city’s largest investment ever in Downtown Lubbock’s road network. If Broadway were to be redeveloped Downtown Lubbock could have the catalyst needed to transition into a destination that attracts investment and tourism from across the region and the rest of Texas. 

Long-time residents of Lubbock have waited over 40 years for a project like what is being proposed downtown to finally make its way onto the ballot that has a legitimate chance of coming to fruition. Although there are a good bit of detractors who believe Prop A if passed won’t end up benefiting residents near District 1 and District 2.

I personally believe that if the revitalization of Downtown Lubbock is managed correctly. That many people throughout the inner core of the city not just residents in District 1 and District 2 can benefit greatly from a fully revitalized downtown.

One of the many reasons being that an improved road network grants residents near downtown to have better access to city services like the CitiBus and the Mahon Library. Along with job training and career advancement with the former city hall being newly renovated for South Plains College. Not counting the numerous job and economic opportunities being created by a dynamic, vibrant, and growing downtown.

It be wrong for us to think that neighborhoods near downtown wouldn’t benefit from such a proposal. Even though at first glance it seems only certain areas of the city will benefit from newly constructed roads. Those areas of the city won’t reap the benefit of being situated near the historic core of the city that could potentially transform into the engine of growth that powers Lubbock into the latter half of this decade and beyond.

The only way Downtown Lubbock has the potential to do that is through public dollars being invested into downtown. The only way those public dollars end up being invested in downtown is if Prop A passes.

That being said; the rest of the funds will be allocated to areas of the city that are fast-growing and need paved and improved streets. Some of these corridors have already fallen into despair due to that growth and simply can’t meet current traffic demands during peak hours. 

Lubbock isn’t going to stop sprawling out anytime soon, so investment must be made in the areas of the city that need it. At the same time, the historic core of our city shouldn’t be neglected and left to wither on the vine.

One local report last year showed that over $30 million was invested into downtown thanks to a grant program spearheaded by Market Lubbock.

It doesn’t take a detailed analysis to understand that the areas adjacent to downtown are experiencing positive change as well. The improvement project by TxDOT on U.S. Hwy 84/Ave Q has been completed. Making the former section of the highway more pedestrian-friendly with on-street parking, lower speed limits, and bulb-outs.

Along with newly built apartments and hotels nearing completion just across the street in the North Overton and Jackson Mahon neighborhoods. Not to mention the ongoing road improvement project being made to 19th Street (U.S. Hwy 114).

As there has already been plenty of infill development and redevelopment near downtown; the goal here should be to continue to build on that momentum. To strike while the iron is hot if you will.

I hope that the citizens of Lubbock and our leaders can balance both of these needs. I feel this is a good bond package for ALL of Lubbock and since your vote carries more weight at the local level I ask that you please vote YES for the Road Bond Prop A.