Impact Lufkin continues work to improve life in Wards 1 and 2

By JESS HUFF The Lufkin Daily News

Slowly but surely, Impact Lufkin is accomplishing goals established following an Appreciative Inquiry conducted six years ago in conjunction with Stephen F. Austin State University and the T.L.L. Temple Foundation.

In 2016, the nonprofit released results of the inquiry, which identified the needs of Lufkin’s residents who live in Wards 1 and 2 while setting goals that, if accomplished, could meet those needs. The community wanted to see more jobs and economic development, educational opportunities, housing and community safety.

The survey found residents were impacted by a lack of transportation and the need for beautification in the community.

Early on in September 2018, Impact Lufkin announced its purchase of the old Lufkin Country Club, a 170-acre tract of land sitting off Sayers Street. About 10 days later, a team from Texas A&M University presented a master plan filled with ideas for the use of Impact Lufkin’s land.

The master plan sought to bring affordable housing, a community center, parks, businesses, restaurants, a health care center and more.

Four years after the release of the master plan, those living along Sayers Street have seen the construction of two new houses and East Texas Community Health Services.

Though community health was not brought to the area in partnership with the nonprofit, it meets one of the major goals set forth in the survey and master plan.

“That would have been a part of the neighborhood center we had hoped to build, so we haven’t come up with anything else (for that space),”

Impact Lufkin president Robert Shankle said. “That’s