https://tcog.com/regional-services/community-development/2020/09/best-western-plus-breaks-ground-in-bonham/ Fri, 04 Sep 2020 15:19:36 +0000 https://tcog.com/?p=15497 […]]]>
Bonham, Texas — There will soon be even more going on at the intersection of G.K. Reddy Avenue and Sam Rayburn Drive in Bonham.

Bonham Chamber of Commerce and other city leaders gathered for a ribbon cutting Thursday, September 3, 2020 as developer G.K. Reddy broke ground for Bonham’s second flagship hotel, a Best Western Plus to be located just east of a Holiday Inn Express that this same developer opened in 2015.

Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd recalled the first time he showed Mr. Reddy a hillside that will soon be home to two flagship hotels and the bond that has formed between the two men made the occasion seem as much like close friends breaking bread as a business development.

Mayor Floyd spoke of Reddy’s commitment and vision.

“You’ve always stepped up to the plate and done exactly what you said you would do,” Floyd remarked. “I am extremely appreciative of your friendship and your investment in Bonham.”

“I am here in Bonham because of Roy,” Reddy stated. “I call him my brother from another mother.”

Floyd championed the idea of naming the street “G.K. Reddy Avenue” that leads to the hotel complex and Reddy named the 45-seat meeting room in his first hotel in Bonham the “Floyd Room” in honor of the first mayor selected by the voters of Bonham.

Reddy also expressed his gratitude to city staff and City of Bonham Chief Building Official Mark Posey in particular.

“I could not have done this without you,” remarked Reddy. “I would make a call and you would get things done.”

On behalf of the city, Bonham City Manager Sean Pate presented Reddy with a memento.

This development is part of a performance agreement that originally called for two hotels, but eventually resulted in two hotels and an apartment complex that is now under construction on the west side of Hwy. 121 North in Bonham.

“This is proof that being flexible in a performance agreement works,” noted Steve Filipowicz, Executive Director of Bonham Economic Development Corporation.

Following the ribbon cutting, Reddy invited the entire crowd to Shumardii’s Steakhouse for lunch.

Originally published by North Texas e-News at http://www.ntxe-news.com/artman/publish/article_121233.shtml

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The Bonham Vision Plan, facilitated by Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), was initiated by the City of Bonham, the Planning and Zoning Commission and BEDCO. The project team, Steering Committee, and stakeholders had numerous meetings and public forums to review data and maps, to engage in SWOC (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges) exercises, as well as focused Values and Visioning sessions. The process of visioning enables the community to define the future they want while identifying and incorporating community assets and understanding where improvements are needed.

Visioning is an important tool for community and economic development that assists cities in preserving what works while preparing and addressing needs for the future. The plan analyzes several areas including annexation, parks and greenspace, housing, Infrastructure (broadband, transportation networks, water, and sewer capacity), workforce, and zoning, all in light of projected & planned growth. This plan is not designed to serve as a comprehensive review or plan, but rather an overview that will allow prioritization by the implementation team. The plan produced several strategic initiatives that will be addressed by an “Implementation Committee” appointed by Bonham City Council. At that time the next steps (goals, actions, metrics, responsible parties and more) will be discussed.

Vision Statement

The City of Bonham, Texas will continue to be a place where history is valued, where there is a sense of pride of place, and where diversity is embraced. In order to bring this about, the City will:

• Encourage a vibrant, sustainable economy, including both retail and industry, and will actively pursue opportunities that produce stable, well-paying jobs;
• Facilitate downtown revitalization, as well as active retail and business corridors;
• Work together with its citizens to produce safe neighborhoods where families and neighbors are valued;
• Value greenspace, parks, and recreational areas to promote the overall health of the City, and will incorporate this value in all projects and plans; and,
• Plan for and embrace change and growth to provide the optimal quality of life for the people of Bonham. Zoning and annexation will be strategic, and in accord with these values and this vision.

Strategic Initiatives

• Capitalize on the courthouse restoration (Historical Downtown)
• Create and maintain recruitment, marketing and restoration plans for downtown
• Review and strengthen code enforcement and maintain cooperation between code enforcement and Planning & Zoning
• Create an infrastructure committee to address current and projected growth; review challenges/solutions related to growth
• Commit to sustainability, including additional greenspace and parks
• Address the growing need for a skilled workforce (educational opportunities; new industrial park; housing)
• Encourage initiatives for safe, affordable housing (at all income levels)

Related Document:

Download Executive Summary (PDF)