Navasota State of the City

In his State of City address Wednesday, Jan. 12, Mayor Bert Miller paid homage to the resiliency which characterized Navasota during a challenging 2021.

According to Miller, $31,929,127 was invested into the Navasota community with 97 new home permits issued and 1,682 building inspections completed. New businesses and enhancements to existing businesses numbered 13, and among those were The Western RV Park, Southern Charm Boutique, Patout’s Wine Shoppe, P.A. Smith Hotel and Champion Home Builders.

Another 13 projects in process include the Rail & Rye Restaurant, Red Board Tavern and Table, Chicken Express, Hidden Hills Subdivision, Pecan Lakes Estates Phase IV and Los Cabos Mexican Grill and Steakhouse.

The Navasota Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) launched a new website and is working with a dozen-plus prospects regarding relocation to Navasota. Navasota was a recipient of the 2021 People’s Choice Resiliency Award from the Downtown Association for the work by the Pretty City Committee as well as Merit Recognition from the Texas Economic Development Council for the Railroad Street improvements.

A destination place

The NEDC facilitated the second annual Shop Small Business Giveaway over the holidays generating more than 700 entries, with receipts from 48 stores, submitted by visitors from 36 cities, totaling more than $20,000 – up front $9,200 in 2020.

NEDC partnerships include the Navasota Grimes Chamber of Commerce, the Brazos Valley Council of Governments EDC, the Small Business Development Corporation, Navasota ISD, Blinn College’s Workforce Education programs and the Retail Coach. Collaborating with the NGC, the NEDC created Zoom Prospector, a tool to showcase available properties in Navasota.

The City of Navasota Marketing Department attracted 20,000 attendees to the ninth annual Texas Birthday Bash and 5,200 visitors to downtown for Home for the Holidays.

In between, there was the Sounds of Summer, the second annual Freedom Festival, Kid Fish and appreciation events for volunteers and donors.

Keeping Navasota beautiful

Code Enforcement was busy keeping Navasota clean and beautiful with the demolition of five substandard buildings and repair of four. There were more than 300 citizen interactions, 104 cases closed which included 50 junk vehicle cases.

The annual Keep Navasota Beautiful Trash Off attracted 200-plus volunteers who collected 2.7 tons of trash from city streets.

In addition to the creation of the Pretty City Committee, Marketing welcomed the new Navasota Artists in Residence and launched the Navigate Navasota app for residents and visitors to access “everything Navasota.”

Leisure gains

Parks and Recreation replaced park equipment and also partnered with the Navasota Evening Lions Club to install a disc golf course at August Horst Park.

The Navasota Library was bursting with activity from the Navasota Farmers Market to the Summer Reading Program and Wine & Poetry nights with local authors Gwyn Worbington and a book signing for Coach Q.

Infrastructure improvements

The Railroad Street Revitalization Project was completed in 2021 utilizing multiple grant sources. The adoption of a Thoroughfare Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan helped secure $784,245 in funding for the 2022-2023 Brosig Avenue project.

Miller said, “The project will include 6-foot sidewalks along the west side of Brosig Avenue from Washington to Piedmont and a new pedestrian bridge crossing Cedar Creek with new street and pedestrian lighting at the bridge.”

The Street and Drainage Department removed limbs and leaves, cleaned 9,000-feet of ditches and installed 53 new culverts.

Construction of the Farquhar Crosswalk on Washington Avenue begins early 2022 as does the West Washington Streetscape Project which runs from 10th Street west to Baylor Lumber. Street projects all across town, not including the Capital Improvement Project, total $700,000.

The Utilities Department felt the effects of the week of the Winter Storm – receiving 200-plus work orders compared to their normal 25 per week.

The Navasota Municipal Airport saw a growth in hangars, and funding was approved for the Airport Weather Observation System (AWOS).

Inside city hall

The Finance Department reported a 7% increase in sales tax, thanks to Shop Local initiatives.

Municipal Court provided Zoom Virtual court hearings and worked through 10 Covid updates to comply with the state and federal Covid response.

The Information Technology Department provided new or upgraded equipment in multiple City departments including the Navasota Police and Fire departments.

NPD answered 14,604 calls, an increase of 27.2% from 2020 and received several grants for equipment and training. Blue Santa provided Christmas gifts to 75 children and the Animal Shelter completed 61 adoptions.

NFD responded to 1,540 incidents, a 15.2% increase from 2020. A new engine is on the way courtesy of a Texas Forest Service grant and residents’ $1 voluntary fund contribution funded the purchase of two sets of e-Draulic rescue tools.

Miller thanked City staff for weathering “a really tough year with lots of great results. We made a very successful transition with a new leader managing our organization after a rigorous nationwide search. We’re grateful for the 16 years that Brad Stafford spent building and bringing our city to levels we could never have imagined.”

Miller closed saying, “I truly do believe in the city’s vison set by city council: What America want to be, a beautiful, progressive, vibrant, service-oriented, close-knit community filled with historic charm and promise for people and business.”