A question for Mayor Kirk Jones
Are there any plans to increase tourism in Montgomery?
We have a project that has been in the works for some time that we hope to finish. It is a QR code tour. Tourists will be able to use their phone at different historical locations throughout the city and take photos of the code. We may also hire a part-time employee who will be in charge of marketing and advertisement for the city.
Big decisions made in 2016
Increase in new homes
About 145 new homes were built in the city limits over the course of 2016. A majority of the homes were built in the new subdivision Terra Vista while others are located in Lake Creek and Buffalo Springs. The city facilitated partnered with developers to build the infrastructure necessary for the developments.
Meter replacement
All water meters in the city were replaced with electronic meters. The automatic meter reading system uses radio frequencies and remote radio frequency transmission to read water meters. With the electronic meters, the accuracy of the readings were improved.
Retail development
In January 2016, construction began on a Kroger Marketplace and an adjoining shopping center on Hwy. 105 and Lone Star Parkway. The city petitioned for and received $750,000, in grants from Texas Department of Agriculture to build water and sewer lines for the project.
Top issues for 2017
Mobility study results
The city of Montgomery partnered with Montgomery County precincts 1 and 2 to conduct a mobility improvement study and expects to receive the results in early 2017. City officials believe the study will show the city is in need of more roads and increased parking in the downtown area.
Buffalo Springs Drive bridge construction
Last spring, floodwater washed out the bridge located on Buffalo Springs Drive that connects Hwy. 105 and Lone Star Parkway. The project originally went out for bid in March 2016, and repairs will begin in May. The city is expecting FEMA to provide 75 percent of the funding.
Development on east side of town
Starting January, the city will build a new sewer line with $100,000 in funding from the Montgomery EDC to serve proposed commercial developments in east Montgomery.
