200 new jobs, 60 new businesses boost Downtown Revitalization

KILLEEN, Texas (Nov. 7, 2024) - More than 62 new businesses have brought more than 214 jobs to the Downtown Killeen area in an effort to revitalize this Historic district and implement the Killeen 2040 Comprehensive Plan. These strides add up to more than $15.6 million of investment in downtown in 2023 and 2024.

This all comes as the City of Killeen releases its new Downtown Business Directory, featuring 82 businesses in food, beverage and entertainment, retail, self-care and beauty and educational and other services. A full list can be found at www.KilleenTexas.gov/Shop .

The Killeen 2040 Comprehensive Plan is a blueprint that will guide the city for the next 20 years. Before the implementation of this plan, Killeen's Downtown was nearly 70% vacant, including five buildings in disrepair or demolition status. In reviving the Vacant Building Registry, it moved our downtown to a nearly 80% occupancy level.

What citizens once said were a lack of family-friendly activities and businesses, is now a vibrant downtown community. The City hosts six bi-monthly downtown signature events, farmers markets with more than a thousand attending weekly, outside entertainment and the largest fireworks show in Central Texas.

Other perks that have brought so much business downtown are façade and other grants, as well as 'Shop Downtown' discount cards that entice customers into the area.

There have been a dozen public, interactive art pieces installed, as well as placemaking and tactical urbanism implemented, Hometown Heroes veterans banners displayed throughout downtown during November and 1,000+ hours of volunteer hours from community members to help beautify the area.

The Police Department's North District is in downtown and consists of the Community Engagement Unit/Homeless Outreach Team on bicycle and foot patrols to increase the visual presence of security and assistance in the area.

The City invested in that Community Engagement Unit, hired a Downtown Director and Community Engagement Coordinator and added a Downtown Code Enforcement Officer and an internal Downtown Coordination Team.

Highlights of downtown's success include:

• In 2022, City allocated $1 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants to catalyze downtown investment
• In 2022, a new Bell County Annex building location was established in downtown
• In 2023, the City received the Texas Downtown achievement award for Best Economic Game Changer
• In 2023, the City revived the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ) and extended the life and boundary
• In fiscal year 2023 and fiscal year 2024, $432,876 in 31 facade and expanded improvement grants were awarded ($200K from the TIRZ #2)
• In 2024, Southern Roots Brewing Company signed an agreement to open
• In 2024, the North Killeen Revitalization Program (NKRP) expanded to include sewer rehabilitation
• In 2024, Killeen was named a Texas Brew City for efforts to make the city a craft beer destination

Going forward, the downtown focus will be helping more small businesses grow through grants and incentives. The City is also working toward receiving a Texas Main Street Designation in 2025, expanding grants to the greater downtown area, new downtown wayfinding installation in 2025 and six, new businesses set to open in downtown before the end of 2024.

For more information on the Historic Downtown District and all it has to offer, please visit www.KilleenTexas.gov/Downtown and www.KilleenTexas.gov/Killeen2040 . To view the September 17, 2024 presentation to City Council, visit www.KilleenTexas.gov/CouncilMeetings .

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