City of Belton and EDC give update on Imagine Belton Plan 

June 5, 2025

By Michelle Rodriguez

The Belton Journal

On May 29, the Belton Economic Development Corporation and the City of Belton, along with the sponsors Extraco Banks and First Texas Banks hosted a reception and gave a presentation and update on the Imagine Belton plan and implementation. The event also featured networking, beer, wine, and hors d'oeu- vres and was held at Cathedral Oaks Event Center.

Cynthia Hernandez, Executive Director of the EDC facilitated a Q and A session with Brandon Bozon, President of EDC Board of Directors; Matt Bates, Assistant City Manager; Mayor David Leigh; and Sam Listi, City Manager.

"When we started Imagine Belton in 2021, the vision focused on downtown Belton. The goal is to bring primary jobs and make the community more vi- brant. It will make the city a good place to live," said Bozon.

Imagine Belton is a plan to guide how part of the city grows and changes over time.

"The relationships between schools, Bell County, and TX DOT purposely changed Belton from a rural to an urban county. We didn't wait for it to come along and happen. People want to be able to live in downtown where they work. The Imagine Belton plan allows more flexible land use by landowners by right instead of dealing with the city," said Mayor Leigh.

Zoning laws control how land can be used, like where homes, shops, and offices can be built.

“The EDC drafted the standards. The process was extensive with property owners in mind. A website and a committee were created. It was a challenge to re-zone the boundaries. We went from sixteen to five zones that will be implemented by the end of the cal- endar year. We are excited about the possibilities," said Listi.

The zones are central downtown, uptown, Main Street, transition, and neighborhood zones.

"We've heard the vision. There is a slow trick- ling of questions. If you have property, what do you do with it? First, know what zone you are in. We are seeing projects coming forward from developers and seeing full value," said Bates.

Go to the city website to look up an address to see what zone it is in.

"Zoning is established with flexible design standards. Property tax abatement, facade improvement grants are available. City council increased grant funding. There is a 300,000 building life safety grant which allows for sprinklers and ADA. There's oppor- tunity for a strong relationship with the city. There's an opportunity zone to promote private investment with the tax credit program," said Listi.

There's also a Historic Tax Credit Program where there is a tax credit for a percentage of cost through EDC.

Travis Crow with Covey Landscape Architects helped develop the Imagine Belton plan. He also de- veloped similar plans with Temple and Georgetown. He also worked on planning for Heritage Park.

"What does it look like? What can we expect," said Hernandez.

“Five zones are implemented. There’s shared use parking for developer incentive. It’s community based,” said Crow. There were exhibits on display for viewing.

“What does success look like one year from now?” said Hernandez.

“A one-year timeline is tough, long-term success is incremental. There will be individual wins,” said Bates.

“It’s like a start up. It never goes to plan; however, keeps moving in the same direction. One, public stakeholders stick with it. Two, there’s an ecosystem like music in Nashville. We hope to build the same ecosystem, for example, the Central Avenue ice cream store was renovated. Linemann did Level Three and is building a steakhouse. One county building turned into a bar. Investors look to be successful and this broadens it,” said Mayor Leigh.

“What are key things for guests to take away?” said Hernandez.

“One, more success. Downtown is a public space to private ownership. Bell County Engineer’s office relocated. The core of downtown is moving. Public space is converting to private,” said Listi.

The audience had a chance to ask questions.

“What about the I-35 expansion?” said Randy Pittenger with the Chamber of Commerce.



“Temple North bound two to three exits, exit 14 by 121 will create circulation with in Belton. TX DOT is working on it. The biggest change will be around Center. There will be a better crossway and roundabouts,” said Leigh.