6 Economic Development & Opportunities

Economically, the site is mostly undeveloped. However, some development has begun to take place within the broader site area. Approximately one mile west of the study sits a cluster of parks including a BMX park and soccer fields. In addition to these existing parks, the City of Pflugerville is planning to build a large soccer complex adjacent to the site. Close to the site is also a cluster of light industrial uses Figure 9 including a small film services company, and some automotive repair places. Additionally, there has been some residential infill close to the site. For example, Edinburgh Gardens, a housing development, is located about 1.5 miles southwest of the site. This area also has some office parks and other commercial development.

Figure 9: Light Industrial/Commercial near the Study Site

6.1. CAPITAL METRO GREEN LINE

The biggest development opportunity for the site would likely come about as the result of the Capital Metro Green Line. The Capital Metro Green Line is a proposed heavy rail commuter line. It would run from Downtown Austin to Manor along 28 miles of existing right-of-way that Capital Metro owns (Cap Metro Report). Capital Metro believes that line could start running sometime around 2030. However, the line does face some potential issues. Namely, Capital Metro predicts that the areas immediately east of the city would be low ridership areas. Therefore, Capital Metro believes that “local jurisdiction action [is] needed to spur transit-supportive development in [the] corridor” in order to make the Green Line truly viable (Capital Metro Report). This transit-supportive development would represent tremendous potential for the study site. While the rail line would not run directly through the site, it would be close to the study site. Thus, transit adjacent development would likely develop in the area. Figure 10 shows the proposed route of the Green Line.

Figure 10: Cap Metro Green Line Proposed Route (Source: Cap Metro)

6.2. AIRPORT

Understanding the airport is critical to understanding the future of the development site. The future of the airport will largely influence whether or not current development can take place in the site. Studies have shown that home values tend to fall when the homes are located closer to airports. However, other studies have shown that airports actually increase the value of commercial properties. Thus, if the airport remains in place this will likely induce more commercial development as opposed to residential development. 6.3. LAND VALUE OF THE SITE

The land value of the site varies widely. Currently, there are few parcels zoned for housing that are have land valued at $500,000 and above. Aside from the Austin Executive Airport, one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the Wells Branch site is in the Northwest corner in the Boulder Ridge mobile home park. This neighborhood, located next to the Northeast Metro park Soccer Field Pavilion, has a median listing price of $268,995. The Soccer Field will soon be joined by the Lonestar Soccer Complex, a neighboring facility within the heart of the Wells Branch Site. The complex will be 22 acres, and home to a competitive training facility (City of Austin, 2018).

Figure 11: Land Value at the Site

6.4. COMMUNITY CHARACTER

While the Wells Branch site is overwhelmingly agricultural, there are pockets of unique destinations that exist in and around the site, aside from the Austin Executive Airport.

The Manor Equestrian Center (MEC) is a 30-acre piece of land where visitors can take horseback riding lessons and train with their horses. The MEC speaks to the agricultural character of the site. The 349-acre North East Metropolitan Park (NEMP) sits just above the site, and provides a wealth of recreational options for residents in the neighboring communities. There are soccer fields, multi-use fields, baseball fields, a cricket field, basketball court, tennis court, BMX racetrack, and a skate park. The Lonestar Soccer Complex, which is currently being developed at the corner of Cameron and Gregg Manor road, will be a 22-acre competitive training facility. The Wells Branch site is also home to Film Fleet LLC, a local company that provides movie set trailers to the film industry for productions that are shot in Austin.

There are several important facilities in and around the Wells Branch Site. While there is no school within the site boundary, there are several adjacent schools as close as 6 miles to the site border. The closest hospital, Cross Creek Hospital, is located 12 miles away from the site in North Austin. Police and fire stations are located north of the site in Pflugerville, and to the southeast of the site in Manor. Both smaller cities strengthen the Wells Branch site area by providing important resources. Figure 12 shows various points of interest in and around the site.

Figure 12: Points of Interest Near the Study Site