The City of Whitesboro is moving forward with the formation of a comprehensive plan.
A city’s comprehensive plan is a long-term guiding document that outlines the vision, goals and strategies for the city’s future growth and development.
It is a roadmap for how the city will manage land use, housing, transportation, economic development, parks, infrastructure and other key areas over the next 20 years.
“It is important that the city have a plan of direction for the future; this process helps us to create that plan,” Whitesboro Mayor Dave Blaylock said.
Having a comprehensive plan allows a city to grow in a more controlled, sustainable and thoughtful way, while addressing the needs and priorities of the community. It is a tool that helps balance development with the preservation of quality of life, community identity, environmental sustainability and long-term success.
This project, which officially began in the fall of 2024, is now in full swing. The city’s previous plan was in effect through 2020.
Whitesboro Economic and Industrial Development Corporations (WEDCO and WIDCO), who have taken the lead and financial responsibility, initiated the process in 2019 with a strategic plan and branding development.
In 2024, after extensive preparation and research, they contracted with Dunaway Associates at a total cost of $185,000 to compose the plan. This contract entails the completion of 28 tasks organized into five phases, along with the delivery of six deliverables and materials throughout the process. The plan is expected to be completed this summer.
The comprehensive plan provides a framework for guiding development, zoning, and infrastructure decisions, which are important for long-term planning and growth management.
Craig Falco, President of WEDCO said, “We recognize the critical need for the comprehensive plan and know how valuable it will be to the future of Whitesboro.”
Jon Weems, President of WIDCO, said, “This plan will benefit residents of Whitesboro by creating a balanced and well-organized city that will respond to their needs and also prepare for the future.”
Initially, in addition to city officials and staff members, a steering committee of local people was appointed to collaborate in the construction of the plan. Throughout the planning process, the steering committee plays a key role in evaluating community assets, generating an initial Community Vision and providing feedback through in-person workshops.
The committee is also responsible for encouraging community participation and fostering consensus among stakeholders. Their support ensures that the mission of the project is upheld, making certain that the community feels represented and that their voices are heard throughout the process.
Creating the plan also involves gathering input from residents, businesses, and city leaders to ensure the plan reflects the desires and needs of the community. This is where the public participation is critical.
“We want to maintain a high quality of life by guiding growth in a sustainable and equitable way, ensuring that all residents have access to the resources, opportunities and amenities they need to thrive,” said City Administrator Phil Harris. “It is important that we get peoples’ input on the front end, and the way we do that is through several engagement opportunities. We will begin with a survey, and we encourage everyone to participate.”
The survey will be open until March 3, giving people ample opportunity to participate. This is the public’s opportunity to ensure their voices are heard as we work together to plan the future of Whitesboro. The survey can be found at:
Other possibilities for public input will include podcasts, engagement at community functions and pop-up events. Podcasts are planned for February, March and April to explain the process, provide updates and to give the public insight regarding the developing plan. The podcast will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other streaming platforms.
All materials and updates will be shared through the city’s website, Facebook pages, local news and the upcoming Instagram page. Additionally, visit www.guidewhitesboro.com to find descriptions of included elements of the plan, presentations, focused discussions from meetings and updates.
A statement from Dunaway and Associates read, “The development of the plan for the City is essential to address its challenges while preserving its unique history and character. Collaboration among city officials, residents and stakeholders will be instrumental in making these plans a reality, ensuring a prosperous and vibrant future for Whitesboro.”