In their meeting held Oct. 28, the Tyler City Council gave the green light for staff to contract for the development of a master plan for Lake Tyler.
“During the Tyler 21 planning process, one of the community needs identified was the establishment of a master plan focused on Lake Tyler,” said Mayor Barbara Bass. “The lake is one of Tyler’s principal water sources; as such, this has been the primary focus for the lake. Tyler 21 identified the lake as the “Jewel of East Texas” and the potential for this community asset to become a robust recreation and tourism destination. This plan will ensure this goal evolves in a strategic and thoughtful manner.”
The Tyler branch of Freese and Nichols, Incorporated will be charged with development of the master plan and will sub-contract with local planning firm Planning Concepts for assistance. They will work with lake stakeholders to identify opportunities for future use as well as protecting the lake’s existing assets and its importance as a primary drinking water source for the City of Tyler.
Chapter seven, goal number four of the Tyler 21 Plan established goals related to the lake that will be explored during this planning process. Included are the potential for a trail system around the lake and improvement of recreational facilities including recreational vehicle amenities.
The master plan will encompass both Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East. Lake Tyler was constructed in 1949 and covers approximately 2,400 surface acres. Lake Tyler East (2,500 acres) was completed in 1967 and connected to Lake Tyler by a channel, thereby, in essence, forming one lake. Currently the City of Tyler operates five boat ramps and two lakeside public recreation areas on the shores of the lakes.
“As a goal in the Tyler 21 plan, the development of a master plan for Lake Tyler was funded in this year’s budget,” added Mayor Bass. “It is critical to Tyler’s future that we continue to make incremental progress toward achievement of the shared vision outline in Tyler 21. This is an important step toward this goal.”
Tyler’s planning efforts were cited as a contributing reason for the recent AAA bond rating increase received from Standard and Poor’s.