University Star

San Marcos residents were invited to take part in a presentation Monday to learn more about the future growth of the San Marcos community.

The mayor and councilmembers met for the annual State of the City address, which highlighted aspects of the San Marcos Comprehensive Master Plan. Dubbed “Vision San Marcos: A River Runs Through Us,” the presentation covered various aspects of the master plan, each covered by a city councilmember. Housing, economic development, the Youth Master Plan, transportation and infrastructure and the river were among the topics discussed by the councilmembers.

The master plan is updated every five years by city council and provides an outlook for the following 10 years of growth.

Mayor Daniel Guerrero praised many of the city’s services and its attempts at meeting growth.
“We’re doing our best to make sure this master plan comes from our community, resides in our community and will continue to be the life blood that will allow us to be successful for generations to come,” Guerrero said.

Councilman John Thomaides, Place 3, spoke about housing, which he jokingly called the “least controversial topic.”

Thomaides said housing is one of the most critically important issues in the city—and one he feels passionately about.

“This has been one of the most complicated issues, striving to move forward at a time of national economic challenges with the notion of strength and unity,” Thomaides said. “We have made some significant steps forward in many areas.”

Thomaides said the development of the master plan remains an important measure in improving San Marcos’ housing.

“San Marcos has had a great deal of controversy over proposed apartment buildings in and around single-family neighborhoods,” Thomaides said. “They arouse the passions of neighborhood and environmental proponents, landowners and neighborhoods.”

Thomaides said the city council adopted a mission statement to maintain the safety and historical and cultural identities of neighborhoods with housing being of importance to many residents.

Thomaides said one way the city’s housing is being improved is through the Achieving Community Together (A.C.T.). The program attempts to improve relations between Texas State and the San Marcos community and tries to retain more graduates as residents.

Other community projects Thomaides praised were the establishment of Captain Paul Peña Park in the Hills of Hays neighborhood and the San Marcos Community Garden on Fulton Road.

Like housing, economic development is also critical to San Marcos’ future, according to Councilman Wayne Becak, Place 4.

Becak said the tax revenue brought in by new development will allow for better roads, police and fire services and maintenance of the city’s parks.

“I hope to see a plan where we envision San Marcos with economic, educational and cultural opportunities that develop a stronger middle class and grow the local economy,” Becak said. 

Among the goals Becak said he hopes will increase San Marcos’ economic development are ecotourism, sports tourism, retail tourism and realizing the full potential of the San Marcos Municipal Airport.

Becak served on the Greater San Marcos Partnership Board during the last year, which he said helps sustain economic growth in San Marcos and helped recruit more than 900 jobs.

“Our city is renowned for its participation and civic engagement of all our citizens,” Becak said. “We need that participation to continue in the arena of economic growth and development.”