Mayor Pro Tem Lawrence W. Spradley
The transformational growth we are witnessing in New Braunfels is unlike anything in our city’s history. Simply put, this level of growth at this pace was never anticipated.
Across Texas, more than 1,000 new residents arrive every single day, and communities like ours are at the center of that movement. New Braunfels has become a destination for families, businesses, and entrepreneurs seeking opportunity, quality of life, and a strong sense of place. Since 2020, our population has grown by nearly 30 percent, placing us among the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
Growth on this scale presents both opportunity and responsibility. While we cannot stop growth, we can and must manage it wisely.
As your Mayor Pro Tem, I believe the most important tool we have to guide that responsibility is the City’s 2024–2029 Strategic Plan. This plan serves as our roadmap, aligning our budget, infrastructure investments, and daily operations with a long-term vision for New Braunfels.
Guiding Principles for Responsible Growth
Managing growth starts with a clear philosophy. For me, responsible growth means making decisions today that protect what we value most while preparing for the future. The principles guiding my decisions include:
- Plan First, Build Second – Development should follow the City’s long-term planning framework rather than reacting to short-term opportunities.
- Infrastructure Planning Must Lead Growth – Future roadway planning, drainage systems, and public safety services must be capable of supporting development before or as it occurs.
- Growth Should Pay for Growth – New development should contribute to the infrastructure and services it requires so that existing residents are not forced to shoulder the entire cost.
- Neighborhood Compatibility Matters – Projects must respect the character and scale of surrounding neighborhoods so that growth makes sense and is appropriate.
- Protect What Makes New Braunfels Unique – Our heritage, downtown, historic districts, parks, rivers, and environment must remain central to every decision we make.
Responsible growth is not about saying “no.” In a state like Texas, that is neither realistic nor productive. Instead, it is about ensuring that every decision strengthens our community and protects the quality of life that brought so many of us here in the first place.
Turning Strategy into Action
Our Strategic Plan is not just a document, it is actively shaping decisions and delivering results across our city. One of the clearest examples is how we are approaching infrastructure and financial responsibility. Through our Capital Improvement Plan, we are aligning long-range planning with the projects needed to support a growing population. The City has:
- Raised roadway impact fees to the highest level allowed by law
- Increased utility connection fees
- Required new development to contribute to the infrastructure it demands.
These steps ensure that growth does not come at the expense of current residents.
Transportation is another critical focus. With voter approval, the 2023 Bond Program is investing more than $99 million into roadway improvements, including major corridors like Barbarosa Road, Kohlenberg Road, and Common Street. These projects are designed to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and enhance safety.
In addition, the City continues to partner with regional organizations to leverage outside funding for key improvements, including pedestrian and bicycle enhancements in the Gruene area. We have also introduced Rio Microtransit, an on-demand transportation service that is expanding mobility options, particularly for seniors and veterans, while replacing less efficient systems of the past.
Investing in Safety and Quality of Life
As our city grows, maintaining a high level of public safety remains a top priority.
Our Fire Department is leading innovative efforts through its Mobile Integrated Health program, which connects at-risk residents with the services they need while reducing strain on emergency resources. The results speak for themselves, including a significant reduction in repeat 911 calls and substantial cost savings for both the City and the healthcare system.
Our Police Department continues to focus on efficiency, transparency, and community engagement, providing regular updates to keep residents informed and safe.
Beyond public safety, we are making meaningful investments in parks, libraries, and community spaces. A new branch library focused on youth and family programming will serve growing areas south of the Guadalupe River. Additionally, a newly acquired 130-acre park is already beginning to take shape, with initial trail access opening later this year. At the same time, we are reinvesting in beloved spaces like Landa Park to preserve them for future generations.
Preserving Our Identity While Embracing the Future
Even as we grow, protecting the identity of New Braunfels remains central to every decision we make.
Downtown continues to serve as the heart of our community, while thoughtful redevelopment along corridors like South Castell Avenue is transforming underutilized areas into vibrant, walkable destinations that support local businesses.
Our city is a premier destination for visitors, with a thriving hospitality industry that generated $1.3 billion in economic impact and $30 million in tax revenue in 2024. Those revenues play a critical role in funding infrastructure and services, helping reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.
There is sometimes a perception that growth is being subsidized. In reality, the opposite is true. By maximizing impact fees and strategically leveraging tourism-related revenue, we are ensuring that growth helps fund the infrastructure it requires.
Looking Ahead
Growth is not a temporary phase for New Braunfels, it is our reality. The question is not whether we will grow, but how we will grow. Through disciplined planning, strategic investment, and a commitment to preserving what makes our city special, we are addressing that challenge head-on. I am proud to work alongside the Mayor, City Council, City staff, and this community as we continue to guide New Braunfels forward thoughtfully, responsibly, and with a clear vision for the future. Together, we are building a city that honors its past while preparing for generations to come.
