STRENGHTS
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
The university is a vital component to the Lubbock economy. Every
year, Texas Tech brings in millions of dollars from sporting events,
students, and support. The total campus population may only be a
small fraction to the total population of the city, but Texas Tech is a
vital resource to the survival of Lubbock and West Texas
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STRENGHTS
SHOPPING
Lubbock is the main source of shopping for most of the West Texas
Region. Through the weekend, shoppers from small cities all over
West Texas flock to Lubbock to spend money on clothes, food, and
other merchandise. Currently Lubbock has only one mall but several strip shopping malls throughout the city.
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STRENGHTS
LOOP 289
Known in Lubbock as “The Loop”, 289 provides a fail-safe way to
navigate the city. Loop 289 circles the entire city to make getting
around very quick. Any drivers lost in Lubbock can simply drive
until they come upon the Loop and circle back around to where
they need to be going. Currently under construction to accommodate the new Marsha Sharp Freeway, the loop has become a dependent on major transportation within the city.
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STRENGHTS
HEALTHCARE
Lubbock is home to a variety of healthcare facilities. Shown here is
the Texas Tech University Health Science Center. A state-of-theart medical and research facility, Lubbock is the main source of
medical care in West Texas. Only a short distance away is Covenant Hospital, the Garrison Geriatric Center, Lubbock Heart Hospital and many other private medical offices. The Garrison Geriatric
Center is a nationally recognized Alzheimer's care center.
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STRENGHTS
CRIME RATE
Lubbock is relatively safe community. The city is a very friendly
place where business deals in some cases are still conducted on a
handshake. The community is a very tight nit group of people who
watch out for each other and are a good representation of the
Texas values that the state has a reputation for.
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STRENGHTS
GRID PATTERN
In addition to the Loop, Lubbock is laid out in a easy to navigate grid
pattern. Streets which run north and south are labeled by letters
of the alphabet and streets which run east and west are labeled by
numbers. This makes navigating the city very easy.
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WEAKNESSES
DRY COUNTY
Lubbock is currently a dry county, meaning there are no alcohol
sales within the county limits. However, alcohol can be purchased
from restaurants and bars thought out town. By not allowing the
sale of alcohol within the city is hurting the potential for the Lubbock economy. Tax revenue alone would be substantial if the sales
were permitted. Shown here is what is known as “The Strip”. This
short strip of road is home to several large alcohol stores which
supplies most of Lubbock. The Strip is privately owned by some
very powerful people in the Lubbock community and to protect
their interest, strong political influences keep the city from selling
alcohol.
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WEAKNESSES
NO EDGE
This is the view driving into the city. There are no structures,
signs, or other features to let visitors know they are not in Lubbock. A cities edge is vital to the image in which it gives off to visitors. As the saying goes, “there is only one chance to give a first
impression”. For Lubbock, this is not much of an impression.
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WEAKNESSES
THE WEATHER
Ah, the beautiful West Texas Dust Storms. While we can not control
mother nature, we can help reduce the effects. Every spring Lubbock is blanketed in a lovely coating of red dust. This is usually
followed by the aroma of manure. For those not use to the climate
this comes as quite a shock. The small and wind can easily keep
visitors abet.
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WEAKNESSES
POOR DRAINAGE
When it rains, it floods in Lubbock. The city has only recently begun
to install a water control system to help better control the surface
water that floods the city almost anytime it rains. Being such a flat
piece of land, Lubbock has issues controlling the water when there
is no major terrain to control rainfall.
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WEAKNESSES
TAP WATER
Lubbock tap water has a unusual taste which requires getting accustomed to. While tap water is some of the safest drinking water
around, the taste of Lubbock’s is quite unique. It is not uncommon
to notice partials floating in the water, and for those whom have
frozen the water notice the minerals which become apparent in the
ice.
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OPPERTUNITIES
DOWNTOWN
This area f Lubbock is part of the original development of the city.
The downtown is historically the center of the town, the place
where all the excitement and action takes place. Lubbock’s downtown is semi-busy during the day with business men and small
shops. But at night the only scene downtown to attract people is
the Depot District. An area full of bars and clubs. The Depot is also
is home to some of the highest crime ridden bars within the city.
Current talks to redevelop the city are underway which should
refocus attention back to the center of the city.
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OPPERTUNITIES
HISTORIC BUILDINGS
Many of the cities historic buildings are vacant and are in much
needed repair. This building located in downtown is one of the
downtown’s first residential buildings. Restoring this building will
help restore life into the area and bring people back to the area to
live and work all in one place. The history of the city is vital and an
effort to preserve this history will help prolong the health of the
city.
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OPPERTUNITIES
WINERYS
Lubbock is home to some great wineries. Show here, Cap Rock
Winery is one of the area’s largest. However many visitors are
either not aware of the wineries located here in Lubbock or are not
sure of their location. The wineries are located away from the
main development due to their orchards. A better effort to promote the wineries will help attract for visitors to the area.
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OPPERTUNITIES
PARKS
Mackinzie Park is Lubbock’s largest Park. Home to Joyland Amusement Park, Meadowbrook Golf Course, the new Wells Fargo Amphitheater, and a Frisbee Golf Course. This Park has a little bit to
offer everyone. Many events transpire at the park every year but
the city does very little to promote these activities. A park is a
great place to bring together the community with little confrontation.
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THREATS
STREET WIDTHS
Shown here, Avenue Q is one the largest roads in the city. Spanning 6 lanes wide with a suicide lane in the middle. Often referred
to as “The Landing Strip” because of the excessive width and high
speeds of traffic. Streets this wide are unnecessary and allow
vehicles to fly down the street. In addition this is very unattractive
to the overall appearance of the city. Streets like this prevent pedestrians from walking along the sidewalk or attempting to cross.
By lowering the street widths, this will make Lubbock a safer and
more walkable friendly community.
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THREATS
OVERTON
The Overton Development has gain much praise among the community of Lubbock. This once dilapidated area of the city is located
directly across from Texas Tech University. This site before was
very unattractive to visitors of the university, and crime rates
were very high in this area. This new development added high end
shopping and living. The problem is that the city used Eminent Domain to evacuate the residence of the existing neighborhood, forcing them to move elsewhere. The crime that once occurred in this
neighborhood has not been eliminated, only spread out among the
city. Residence were forced out of their homes without any prearranged opportunities elsewhere. The Overton development has
not solved any problem, rather covered it up and spread it around
town.
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THREATS
MARSHA SHARP FREEWAY
Currently under construction, the Marsha Sharp Freeway will split
the city in two. Being developed along the existing Brownfield Highway, Marsha Sharp Freeway will divide the city between the north
and the south. The freeway will run right through Texas Tech University, dividing the Heath and Science Center from the Main campus. Also like the Overton development, Marsh Sharp Freeway has
put many business and homeowners out to make way for the large
new developments planned to line the freeway. The city is not large
enough to need another freeway. The noise, speed and sight of this
freeway will be very distracting to Lubbock.
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