City’s Comprehensive Plan

A newly adopted Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Yoakum City Council is now available for the public to view. This plan involves goals toward improvements to the downtown area as well as other initiatives. 

The newly adopted comprehensive plan is a living document and could change as time goes on according to city officials.  

Some of the goals included in the comprehensive plan are downtown revitalization, celebrating Yoakum’s cowboy and leather heritage, improving infrastructure, expanding housing opportunities, enhancing community engagement and quality of life and protecting future generations from natural hazards. 

Downtown Revitalization

The objectives for downtown revitalization include encouraging investment in downtown businesses and historic properties, strengthening historic preservation and community engagement in the downtown area, strengthening marketing and branding efforts for downtown, and expanding public spaces and event infrastructure in downtown Yoakum. 

Some of the ways Yoakum will do this is by partnering with the Yoakum Economic Development Corporation and develop a business recruitment and support program to activate vacant or underutilized buildings in the heart of downtown. The plan states that the city will restrict ground-floor residential uses and encourage upper-floor residential conversions.

The city will expand and actively promote incentive tools, including grants, tax abatements, reduced permit fees, and tenet improvement support, to help restore commercial storefronts and attract new small businesses. 

Expanding façade improvements and adding in a guided walking trail are other initiatives the city has to improve downtown Yoakum. The walking trail will include a self-guided or docent-led walking tour through downtown Yoakum focused on leather production, rail history and influential residents. 

The city will also continue to grow street festivals downtown such as the annual Sip and Shop. Developing a new downtown parking lot and covered event pavilion is also in the plan. 

Celebrating Yoakum’s Leather/Cowboy Heritage

One of the biggest ways Yoakum will celebrate and expand its brand will be by developing a “Made In Yoakum” trademark that reflects the city’s leather and western wear identity and aligns with businesses such as Circle Y saddlery store. 

The city will also incorporate this “Made In Yoakum” logo on city websites like the chamber of commerce’s website or also put this into tourism materials or newsletters. 

A major upgrade that exemplifies Yoakum’s cowboy heritage is improving the local rodeo station located at the Yoakum City Park. Upgrades will include new arena footing and improved drainage to ensure events can proceed in all weather conditions. Enhanced lighting to this area is also in the plan. Aesthetic upgrades such as new paint, branded signage and landscaped entryways is also in the plan. Additionally, the city plans to add in an annual rodeo. 

The city will also partner with the school district to develop a structured learning pipeline that bridges classroom education and industry experience. High school students will have the opportunity to earn credit while interning at local leather-good shops, boot makers and accessory manufacturers. Scholarship opportunities will come of this. 

Improving Infrastructure

The key takeaways for this item include solving drainage issues and improving aging water and sewer lines. 

Along with that, the plan states that the city will focus on street and transportation/mobility improvements promoting safety, connectivity, and stormwater compatibility. 

Electric and broadband systems will also need modernization for monitoring and equitable access. 

A top priority for infrastructure is reconstructing and upgrading Davis Avenue. That is Yoakum’s most visible and heavily used corridors according to the plan. 

Enhancing Front Street Railroad Park as a family-friendly area is also a part of this goal. This includes adding in an outdoor fitness facility. Additionally, the city aims to transform Centennial Park by adding in a resilient water feature like a naturalized rock bottom creek with native planting and shaded trees.

Finally, the city plans to replace aging sidewalks downtown. A part of this includes adding more handicapped accessibility areas. 

Housing and Neighborhoods

Updating zoning ordinances to encourage a broader mix of housing types is a big part of this objective. 

The city will also double down on code enforcement to address blight and deteriorating properties. 

Supporting aging and low-income residents through community-based programs is also another goal in this objective. This can include partnering with civic organizations, schools or churches to form a volunteer network that helps residents with home and yard work. 

Improving Quality of Life

According to the plan, this objective helps support health, wellness and recreation. Exploring a development of a multi-use recreational facility is a part of this plan. Additionally, the city aims to improve its local community garden. 

By partnering with the EDC, Yoakum will establish a “young entrepreneurs program.” This will be a program that will support recent graduates who wish to start a business in Yoakum.

Hazard Mitigation

Addressing flooding and stormwater conditions as well as extreme drought and heat is a big part of this final objective. 

Urban flooding is one of Yoakum’s most consistent challenges according to the plan. The city will conduct a drainage assessment and, using those findings, will develop a phased capital program for flood mitigation and drainage improvement to reduce flooding risks, protect infrastructure and ensure property stormwater management. 

In an effort to address drought and extreme heat, the city aims to add structures and shaded trees to streets, parks, playground and parking lots. Additionally, the city will establish a community or government facility with backup power to serve as a cooling center open to the public during emergencies when there is both a power outage and extreme heat. This could be the Recreation Center, or a city building. 

Officials will also update the City’s drought contingency plan and water conservation plan. Updates may include new watering schedules, conservation incentives, leak detection programs and education campaigns aimed at reducing non-essential water use.

The entire newly adopted Comprehensive Plan is available to view online at the city’s website.