The declining areas of Haltom City need a new approach to turn things around.

HALTOM CITY, TX, November 28, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ — Haltom City, once known for its bustling corridors and thriving automotive industry, is a diverse, majority working-class city located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. In recent years, the south and central areas of the city have been in an ongoing spiral of decline. Once thriving stores and restaurants have closed, a growing number of buildings sit empty, and crime is on the rise. The situation has had a decidedly negative impact on these neighborhoods, not only as related to the availability of goods and services, but also in terms of employment opportunities and tax revenues.

Last year, the Make Haltom City Thrive Again (MHCTA) campaign teamed up with the Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) to create a series of educational videos aimed at calling attention to the issues and educating citizens about the need for change. In each video segment, HUBA founder Ron Sturgeon talks about a certain issue that is related to revitalization of Haltom City.

The Concept Plan for a Declining City video segment introduces the need for a specific plan and highlights basic steps needed to begin to turn things around. Throughout the series, Sturgeon stresses the importance of a plan, with targeted dates and accountability. The series also talks about specific ideas that should be included in a plan.

The video about Public Money and Private Investors highlights the need to encourage private investment since “there is never enough public money to go around.” Sturgeon also emphasizes the importance of giving stakeholders a seat at the table residents, property owners, and business owners alike  because stakeholder engagement is the best way to learn about the issues at hand.

Another revitalization strategy is explained in Changing the Use Table, Form Based Zoning. A growing number of cities across the country have seen dramatic results from the elimination of overly restrictive codes and the adoption of form-based zoning. In Haltom City, commercial zoning is divided into 5 distinct uses. The focus on use ends up deterring investment because of the red tape involved in changing the use of an older building.

Mandatory parking minimums is another key issue addressed because excessive parking requirements are often a deal-breaker when it comes to renovating older buildings. In Parking Requirements, Shipping Containers, Specific Zones, Sturgeon tackles the important issue of parking regulations and adds his thoughts on zoning and on the use of properly screened shipping containers to give fast-growing businesses a little extra space.

In the video entitled Ron’s Book on Revitalizing Declining Cities, Sturgeon talks about the new book he co-authored about the very issues faced on Haltom City. Keeping the Lights on Downtown in America’s Small Cities has received numerous 5-star reviews on Amazon.com and has been called “a must read for all” as well as “mandatory reading for all elected officials.”

As part of the Make Haltom City Thrive Again campaign, Ron will send a free autographed copy of Keeping the Lights on Downtown to any Haltom City resident or business owner who would like one. Email your request to [email protected], and while you’re waiting for the book to arrive, be sure to check out the complete video series on the MHCTA website.

About Haltom City
Haltom City is a diverse, majority working-class city located between Dallas and Fort Worth in Tarrant County, TX. Haltom City is minutes from both the DFW Airport and Downtown Fort Worth with direct access to major highways including I-820 and SH-121. Due to an outdated and restrictive use matrix that discourages new business and deters growth, several areas of Haltom City have seen a decline in small businesses which provided goods and services and were a significant source of jobs, including the once-thriving automotive industry. However, Haltom City can reverse this trend and should prioritize development of inner-city land and vacant buildings, particularly in the major corridors close to the city’s center. The city is financially healthy with a capable manager and staff who would like to see diverse business development occur and need the support of the City Council to make it happen.

About Haltom United Business Alliance
Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) wants to give members of Haltom City’s business community an advocate and to keep those businesses informed about issues that affect them. They want to make sure Haltom City is business friendly and nurtures small business growth, including automotive businesses in the industrial districts, and bring more restaurants including breweries and eventually a major grocery store to the city. New businesses and growth in existing businesses will create a stronger tax base which will allow the city to pay its first responders wages that are competitive with surrounding cities while improving Haltom City’s facilities and infrastructure. HUBA believes that the southern and central parts of the city need a revitalization plan, to prevent further degradation in those areas, and wants that to happen before the inner-city experiences increased crime and more blight. As retail and office uses are in decline, it’s more critical than ever to attract new businesses. They believe that such a plan requires a strong relationship and support of the business community. Anyone who owns a business in Haltom City is eligible to join HUBA. Dues are $20 annually or $50 for a lifetime membership, and membership is 100% confidential. To join, contact Joe Palmer at (682) 310-0591 or by email at [email protected]. Visit the group’s Facebook at Haltom United Business Alliance.

About Make Haltom City Thrive Again
Make Haltom City Thrive Again is a movement to return prosperity to the older parts of South and Central Haltom City by luring the small businesses that have left over the past decades back to Haltom City. A vibrant business community not only allows for greater employment and choice of goods and services, but also can ease the tax burden on residents. The movement is led by local entrepreneur and business owner Ron Sturgeon. For more on Sturgeon’s ideas and background, check out his book, Keeping the Lights on Downtown in America’s Small Cities and watch the videos on his Facebook page. Ron is also the founder of the Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) which represents existing business interests in Haltom City and promotes growth of diverse businesses. HUBA is not a political action committee and does not endorse candidates. If/when Ron endorses candidates, he will do so on his own via the Make Haltom City Thrive Again organization.

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