News Flash

PHOTO: Municipal Court Associate Judge Teresa Easley was appointed by the Victoria City Council at their Feb. 17 meeting. Shown from left are Mayor Duane Crocker, Associate Judge Teresa Easley and Judge Vanessa Heinold.

On Feb. 17, the Victoria City Council voted unanimously to appoint Teresa Easley as the associate Municipal Court judge for a two-year term. 

Judge Easley moved to Victoria over a decade ago to begin her legal career as a prosecutor and has since built both her professional career and family in the community. In the following Q&A, she shares more about her background, her approach to the role and what it means to serve the people of Victoria. 

Q: What compelled you to pursue the role of Municipal Court judge for the City of Victoria?

A: I began my legal career as a prosecutor, which is what first brought me to Victoria. Later, I transitioned into defense work, which allowed me to see both sides of the criminal justice system. Having that perspective made the opportunity to serve as a judge especially appealing, because it felt like a natural next step to serve in a neutral role after experiencing both sides of the courtroom.

Q: You mentioned having experience on both sides of the courtroom. How do you think that perspective helps prepare you for serving as the neutral party as a judge?

A: Understanding the judicial system from both sides is incredibly valuable. As a prosecutor, I advocated for the state and for victims of crime. As a defense attorney, I worked closely with clients who often just needed someone to listen and help guide them through the legal process. Experiencing both of those roles has helped prepare me to serve in a fair and balanced way as a judge.

Q: For residents who may not be familiar with the Municipal Court, what role does the court play in the in the community, and how do you now as a new judge, factor into that?

A: One thing that makes Victoria’s Municipal Court unique, especially under Judge Vanessa Heinold’s leadership, is its focus on helping people resolve issues in a way that doesn’t negatively affect their lives. The court works to give people opportunities to succeed, including partnerships with community members like Billy T. Cattan on community service projects. Our goal is for people to know they can come here and find help resolving whatever issue they’re facing.

Q: Some residents may wonder what the addition of another Municipal Court judge means for Judge Heinold. Can you explain how the two of you will be working together?

A: Having two judges helps ensure the court can continue operating smoothly. If one of us is ill, out of town, or in training, the other can step in and cover the docket. That helps us avoid canceling court, rearranging people’s schedules, or bringing in a judge from out of town, which can also create additional costs for the city.

Q: Judge Heinold has been very involved in community outreach. How do you envision contributing to those efforts alongside her?

A: During my interview, learning more about the community outreach programs the court is involved in made me want this position even more. What Judge Heinold and her staff have built is incredible, and I hope to continue supporting those efforts while also looking for opportunities to expand them when possible.

Q: As you begin this role, what are some of your priorities or goals?

A: Right now I’m focused on learning everything there is to learn, and making sure that I am as confident as possible on my first day on the bench. That way there’s not any disruption to how things are going already. 

Q: What do you enjoy most about serving the community through the legal system? 

A: When I moved to Victoria to work as a prosecutor, it really strengthened my connection to the community. As a prosecutor, you’re focused on enforcing the law, keeping the community safe, and advocating for victims. Later, as a defense attorney, I worked primarily with indigent clients, which was very important to me because it allowed me to provide legal representation to people who might not otherwise have access to it. In both roles, I felt like I was serving the community in meaningful ways.

Q: What do you enjoy doing outside of the courtroom?

A: My kids keep me very happily busy. I enjoy reading for pleasure very much. I’m learning how to play tennis. God bless my tennis coach, because it’s been a long process and I play very poorly, but I enjoy doing that with friends, trying to play tennis I’ll say. 

Q: What does it mean to you to serve the people of Victoria in this role?

A: I moved to Victoria a little over 10 years ago and wasn’t sure at first if it would be a long-term stop. But I met my husband here and we’ve raised our family here, so this city means a lot to me. Being able to serve in a role where I can give back to the community is extremely fulfilling and rewarding.

PHOTO: Children play at Ted B. Reed Park after the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the park renovations in 2022.

The City of Victoria Parks & Recreation is inviting schools, churches, clubs and other groups to be part of keeping Victoria beautiful through the department’s new Adopt-A-Park program.

The new program is modeled after similar programs that have been successful in other cities. Volunteers will not be required to move bulky items or perform general maintenance; instead, they will focus on collecting litter and improving the appearance of Victoria’s parks.

“Community pride has been an important component of the City’s Keep Victoria Beautiful and Growing Victoria initiatives, and we wanted to give residents another way to be a part of improving their community,” said Parks & Recreation Director Lisa Wube. “With the help of our dedicated parks maintenance staff and our volunteers, we are excited to continue improving our parks system for the enjoyment of all of our residents.”

How it works

PHOTO: Pine Street Park was renovated in 2025. Improvements include new shaded seating and an updated basketball court.

Residents can visit www.victoriatx.gov/adoptapark to view program guidelines and to apply.

Parks & Recreation has various available parks that are suitable for groups of different sizes. Larger parks and trails may be divided among multiple groups. Staff will help applicants choose a suitable park.

Parks & Recreation will provide trash bags, safety vests and other supplies to be used during the cleanups. Staff will also collect filled trash bags after each cleanup is completed.

Adopters are asked to clean their chosen park once per month for a minimum of one year.

Residents of all ages are welcome to participate in the program. Those under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

After the group has completed a six-month trial period, Parks & Recreation will post a sign at the park recognizing the group’s adoption of the park.

Stay connected

To learn more about Parks & Recreation programs and facilities, visit www.victoriatx.gov/parks. 

To report a need for maintenance at any City of Victoria park, call 361-485-3200 or use the Victoria Texas 311 app.

Residents who would like to schedule a one-time group cleanup of a public area can do so through Keep Victoria Beautiful’s Clean Sweep program. To learn more about volunteering with Keep Victoria Beautiful, visit www.victoriatx.gov/kvb.

PHOTO: Burlington and Ulta are now open at Victoria Village, a new commercial development that was made possible through the City’s strategic recruitment efforts. Five Below is scheduled to open March 27.

Multiple new retailers and restaurants have opened or announced plans to open in Victoria as the City continues to pursue a proactive retail recruitment strategy as part of the Growing Victoria initiative.

During his State of the City address at the City’s first Growing Victoria Summit, Mayor Duane Crocker highlighted several of the City’s recent retail gains, including the new Burlington and Ulta at the Victoria Village shopping center, and Five Below, which opens at Victoria Village on March 27.

Other businesses that have announced plans to open in Victoria include Chicken Salad Chick, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Petco, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Ellianos Coffee and Frontier Coffee.

Why retail recruitment matters

PHOTO: Mayor Duane Crocker discusses retail recruitment and local small business development as part of his State of the City address during the Growing Victoria Summit on March 12 at the Victoria Community Center.

During the summit, the mayor explained how a strong retail base benefits residents by bringing in additional sales tax and property tax revenue, which helps to shift the tax burden away from residents while increasing funds for streets and infrastructure, community development and other City services.

“Ultimately, we don’t control what businesses come here,” the mayor said. “Those businesses make their decisions on their own. But what we can do, is we can go to conferences, we can make connections with the site selectors … Through our Economic Development department, we can touch base with people, tell them about Victoria.”

The mayor also reaffirmed the City’s commitment to supporting local businesses, citing the recent addition of a business retention and expansion manager within the Economic Development department.

Return on investment

PHOTO: Mayor Duane Crocker’s State of the City address featured several large retailers and locally owned businesses that have recently opened or announced plans to open in Victoria.

Also during the summit, Robert Hess with growth strategy consulting firm Newmark Group emphasized that incentives can be a powerful recruitment tool if the resulting sales tax and property tax revenue justifies the investment. For example, Victoria Village is eligible for up to $500,000 in sales tax rebates if the development meets agreed-upon sales tax milestones.

The City also encourages development by investing in infrastructure improvements. These investments include:

• Improvements on Broadmoor Street that facilitated the Victoria Village development
• Relocation of an exit ramp leading to Boot Barn and the future Cheddar’s location

Stay connected

To watch the mayor’s full State of the City address and other speakers from the Growing Victoria Summit, visit the City’s YouTube channel at Victoria Texas Videos. 

To watch the City’s Town Talk podcast episode highlighting the summit, visit Spotify, YouTube or the City’s central information page at www.victoriatx.gov/newsroom.

To learn more about how the City of Victoria supports economic and community development, visit www.growingvictoriatx.com. 

PHOTO #1: Mayor Duane Crocker presents his 2026 State of the City address during the Growing Victoria Summit on March 12 at the Victoria Community Center.

The City of Victoria is helping residents to stay informed about the lessons shared during the first-ever Growing Victoria Summit, even if they were unable to attend the event.  

The City of Victoria Communications & Public Affairs this week released an episode of the City’s Town Talk podcast focusing on the Growing Victoria Summit, which was held March 12 at the Victoria Community Center. In the episode, staff discussed highlights from the event and important takeaways for residents.

Also, the City on Wednesday released a full recording of the summit, including all speakers and panelists from the free half-day event.

Both programs are available on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos and on TV15 (local cable channels 15 and 115 and online at www.victoriatx.gov/tv15). Town Talk can also be found on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

About the summit

PHOTO #2: From left, Robert Hess, practice leader and senior principal with Newmark Group, and Mayor Duane Crocker discuss strategic growth as part of a fireside chat during the Growing Victoria Summit on March 12 at the Victoria Community Center.

PHOTO #3: From left, Victoria ISD Superintendent Sheila Collazo, Victoria College President Dr. Jennifer Kent and Texas A&M University-Victoria President Christian Hardigree listen as St. Joseph High School President John H. Gilley IV answers a question during the education panel at the Growing Victoria Summit on March 12 at the Victoria Community Center.

The Growing Victoria Summit aimed to engage residents with the Growing Victoria initiative, which seeks to promote prosperity in Victoria through strategic growth in retail recruitment, small business development, quality of life, workforce development and housing development.

The summit began with a welcome from Mayor Duane Crocker, followed by a presentation from Robert Hess with Newmark Group, a growth strategy consulting firm with operations around the globe. Hess discussed economic development strategies that have been successful in other communities, then answered questions from the audience as part of a fireside chat with Mayor Crocker.

The summit also included a panel on local education featuring Victoria ISD Superintendent Sheila Collazo, St. Joseph High School President John H. Gilley IV, Victoria College President Dr. Jennifer Kent and Texas A&M University-Victoria President Christian Hardigree. The panelists shared how their institutions contribute to workforce readiness and discussed how strong schools can help a community prosper. The panel was moderated by former State Representative Geanie Morrison.

Finally, the mayor presented his State of the City address, where he highlighted recent and ongoing City initiatives that align with the goals of the Growing Victoria initiative. The mayor reminded attendees that Growing Victoria is not solely a City effort and encouraged attendees to become involved in supporting economic and community development.

Stay connected

To learn more about the Growing Victoria initiative, visit www.growingvictoriatx.com.

To stay informed about the City of Victoria, visit www.victoriatx.gov/communications. 

View photos from the event.

The City of Victoria has appointed Clay Fetters as Chief of the Victoria Police Department effective immediately. 

Fetters, who had been serving as interim chief since October, brings decades of leadership experience in both law enforcement and the military. During his time as interim chief, he focused on strengthening operational effectiveness and improving department morale, efforts that contributed to stronger recruitment and retention. 

“During his time as interim chief, Clay has demonstrated superb leadership while guiding the department through the transition to the new Public Safety Headquarters,” City Manager Jesús A. Garza said. “His command philosophy and communication style has improved morale across the department. I’m excited about the continued progress and improvements I know he will prioritize moving forward.”

Fetters has been with the Victoria Police Department since 2008, rising through the ranks in roles that include Deputy Chief of Operations, Captain of Investigations, SWAT Commander, and Lieutenant of Patrol and Support Services. In each position, he has been instrumental in driving improvements in officer development, accountability and operational readiness. In each position, he has been instrumental in driving improvements in officer development, accountability, and operational readiness.

"It is an honor to be selected as the chief of the best police department in the region.” Fetters said. “This is an exciting time with many positive changes throughout the city. I am excited to serve the people of Victoria as their Police Chief."

He brings to his new role a wealth of leadership experience honed over a 30-year military career, retiring as a Major in the Texas Army National Guard in May 2025. Among his numerous command assignments, he led units at Texas Military Department Headquarters at Camp Mabry in Austin and Camp Swift in Bastrop, overseeing operations that supported more than 20,000 soldiers annually and managing more than $20 million in equipment.

During his command of an Engineer Company, his unit was named the best in its battalion and rose from 222nd to 9th out of 242 statewide in performance rankings. He also led life-saving disaster response operations during Hurricane Harvey and Tropical Storm Imelda, coordinating rescues of over 500 civilians and animals in coordination with local and state leaders.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy (Session #281) and holder of a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice, Fetters also holds a Master Peace Officer Certification and has completed over 12,000 hours of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training. He is also completed Phase one and two of the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College and has received numerous commendations for his service.

A dedicated mentor and educator, he has served as an adjunct instructor at the Victoria College Police Academy since 2016 and recently developed a four-day command staff leadership course to help cultivate the next generation of law enforcement leaders.

Under Chief Fetters’ leadership, the Victoria Police Department will continue advancing its mission of reducing crime and the fear of crime through, outstanding police services in partnership with the community. 

The City of Victoria Municipal Court, which recently moved to the new Public Safety Headquarters at 2525 N. Main St., is announcing that most services will be unavailable starting 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 23, through Tuesday, March 24, including access to specific or detailed case-related information, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) payments, online payments and online records. 

Court staff will still have access to email and will be able to answer phone calls for general questions. Any tickets that are due March 23 must be paid by 5:30 p.m. The court will not schedule any tickets to be due March 24. 

The limited services are due to server migration, from a local server to a cloud-based server. The technology updates will alleviate the burden on local IT staff and will improve access to court services during off-site events, such as the court’s outreach dockets.

The migration to a cloud-based server was planned for in the 2026 budget and will be less expensive than replacing the current server.

“This change represents a move into the future for our court,” said Municipal Court Administrator Tiffany Totah. “We appreciate residents’ patience as we take this step to improve services to our community.”

For questions or additional information, please contact the Municipal Court at 361-485-3050 or email courtclerk@victoriatx.gov.

PHOTO #1: At the final Citizens Academy session, participants took part in a graduation ceremony and received certificates acknowledging their participation in the program. Shown from left are City of Victoria Mayor Duane Crocker, Citizens Academy graduate Tara Tinney and City Manager Jesús A. Garza.

PHOTO #2: From left, City Manager Jesús A. Garza, Councilman Mark Loffgren, Mayor Duane Crocker, Councilman Dr. Andrew Young, Councilwoman Jan Scott and Councilwoman April L. Butler answer questions from the participants of the 2026 Citizens Academy.

PHOTO #3: Victoria Fire Department firefighters demonstrate using the jaws of life to cut apart a vehicle during a tour of the fire drill field as part of the 2026 Citizens Academy.

The City of Victoria Communications & Public Affairs concluded the 2026 Citizens Academy on March 5 with a panel featuring the mayor and members of City Council.

During this free six-week program, leaders from various City departments and partner organizations taught participants about their local government. Participants also had the option of attending tours of the Victoria Office of Emergency Management, the Victoria Fire Department fire drill field and the Victoria Surface Water Treatment Plant. One session was held at the new Public Safety Headquarters before the official opening, allowing participants a sneak peek of the facility.

“Our goal is to create an impactful environment where residents learn and engage in two-way dialogue with the decision-makers who strive to enhance the livability of our community,” Communications & Public Affairs Director Ashley Strevel said. “I’m hopeful that our participants will stay engaged through our alumni program and use the many City tools we make available to them to stay informed and share information with others.”

At the end of the final session, residents participated in a graduation ceremony and received certificates acknowledging their participation in Citizens Academy.

The path to distinguished citizenship

Residents who complete all three City of Victoria educational programs: Citizens Academy, the Civilian Police Academy and the Civilian Responder Program—earn the title of Distinguished Citizen and are formally recognized during a City Council meeting in the fall. 

Seven of this year’s participants became Distinguished Citizens: Maria Cortinas, Sister Maria Garcia, Scott Martin, Sandra Maxwell, Karoyn Scogin, Kimberley Smullen and Tara Tinney.

Stay connected

Applications for the 2027 Citizens Academy will open in the fall. For more information about the program, visit www.victoriatx.gov/citizensacademy. 

View pictures from the 2026 Citizens Academy here.

Contributed by the American Junior Golf Association

The latest episode of the City’s Town Talk podcast features Economic Development Director Danielle Williams and her newest staff member, Business Retention and Expansion Manager Chris Conner, sharing insights about why a strong business community is good for Victoria and how the City is improving its support for business owners.

In his new role, Conner will help to improve the City’s support for businesses of all sizes, including better coordination with local economic partners. He will also help to connect new or expanding businesses with services that the City provides.

“My last job dealt with specifically economic development … going out and talking to businesses, trying to gather information and asking them what they need,” Conner said.

Williams also provided updates about new businesses that are coming to Victoria, including a few locally owned franchises.

“When I go to conferences and things and we’re talking to all these retailers … it’s harder to get those franchisees to want to expand so far away from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and so forth,” Williams said. “So to see these local, homegrown franchise owners is super huge and is really great for our community.”

Residents who are interested in becoming franchise owners can reach out to Williams at dwilliams@victoriatx.gov to be connected with franchises that are seeking to expand to Victoria.

Residents can be part of the conversation around community prosperity by attending the Growing Victoria Summit on March 12, which will feature insights from local leaders and invited experts. Residents can register through March 6 at www.growingvictoriatx.com.

To learn more, watch or listen to the latest episode of Town Talk on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

City of Victoria staff and leadership; the Victoria Chamber of Commerce; current and former elected officials; current and former leaders of the Victoria Police Department, Victoria Fire Department and City of Victoria Municipal Court; and representatives of FGMA Architects, AGCM construction management firm and SpawGlass construction cut a ceremonial ribbon to celebrate the opening of the new Public Safety Headquarters, 2525 N. Main St. The City of Victoria partnered with the Chamber of Commerce for the ceremony, which included remarks from Mayor Duane Crocker, City Manager Jesús A. Garza, Interim Police Chief Clay Fetters, Fire Chief George Gamez, Municipal Court Judge Vanessa Heinold and Chamber of Commerce Chair Sherry McShaffry. After the ceremony, attendees were invited to tour the facility.

View more photos from the event.

The following City of Victoria Public Works employees recently earned occupational licenses from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. 

Utility equipment operator Reynaldo Trevino earned his Class 2 wastewater collection license. This license reflects an advanced level of training and experience in the field of wastewater collection.

Surface water treatment plant operator trainee Richelle Howes, water meter technician Jacob Orsak, utility systems technician Mario Villafuerte and plant maintenance technicians Viviana Villegas and Harris Wiest earned their Class D water operator licenses. This license certifies that an individual has the necessary training and experience to perform process control duties in the production or distribution of drinking water.

Utility supervisor Jamie Diaz earned his customer service inspector license. This license certifies an individual to examine private water distribution facilities and approve or deny water service, including identification of potential contamination and similar issues.

The Briggs Boulevard bridge will soon close for a full reconstruction project by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The closure will begin April 6 and will last approximately 10 months while the bridge is being reconstructed. Work schedules are subject to change based on weather and other factors.

All homes and businesses in the area will remain open and accessible. Drivers can avoid delays by seeking other routes.

Once the bridge project is complete, the City will repave Briggs Boulevard and the section of Mallette Drive between Briggs Boulevard and Loop 463.  

For more information about upcoming street projects, visit www.victoriatx.gov/engineering or call 361-485-3340.

To sign up for road closure alerts, visit www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter. 

PHOTO: Mid-Coast Family Services’ Resource Hub completed with funds from the Community Development Block Grant program in 2025.

Local nonprofits that serve low- to moderate-income residents are invited to apply for federal grant funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the City of Victoria Development Services department.

Dates to remember

• March 4 at 2 p.m.: Mandatory workshop at 700 Main Center, conference room 205
• March 31 at 4 p.m.: Intent to request funding must be submitted
• April 1: Applications open for Public Service Agency and Public Facility grants
• April 30 at 4 p.m.: Grant application deadline

At the workshop, Development Services will provide information and guidance to interested nonprofits. Attendance at the workshop and completion of an intent to request funding are mandatory for any nonprofit seeking funds.

How to apply

Paperwork for the intent to request funding will be distributed at the workshop and will be posted online at www.victoriatx.gov/cdbg. 

The application for grant funds will be available at the Development Services Planning office: 700 Main Center, Suite 129, and at www.victoriatx.gov/cdbg.

Completed applications may be turned in to the Planning office or emailed to zwendel@victoriatx.gov.

Funding recommendations will be presented to the City Council on June 2, and the City will solicit public input on the CDBG funding plan starting in July. The City Council will give final approval on the 2026-2027 CDBG funding allocations in August.

Stay connected

For more information, contact Development Services at 361-485-3360 or zwendel@victoriatx.gov.

To learn more about the CDBG program, visit www.victoriatx.gov/cdbg. 

PHOTO: The City of Victoria has moved its recycling drop-off service to the Waste Management facility on U.S. Highway 59.

Starting March 7, Victoria residents who need to drop off recycling will do so at the Waste Management facility located at 10205 U.S. Highway 59 (next to Stallion Infrastructure Services).

The larger facility will allow for greater oversight by Waste Management and more efficient separation of drop-off and collection services compared to the former drop-off location on George Street. 

Recycling may be dropped off at the Waste Management facility on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents must show a utility bill and identification card as proof of residence.

Residents may also drop off their recycling at the drop-off locations operated by Victoria County. For more information about these services, visit www.vctx.org. 

What can be recycled?

PHOTO: Residents may drop off their recycling in the two containers near the gate.

The following items can be recycled through the City of Victoria:

• Paper
• Cardboard
• Metal cans
• Plastics #1 and #2 (most plastic bottles and jugs; check for the number label)

The City of Victoria does not accept glass for recycling.

Plastic trash bags are not recyclable. Residents bringing recyclables in plastic bags must empty the bags at the facility.

Get rid of waste the right way

More than 40% of the waste that the City receives for recycling cannot be recycled. This includes items that are not recyclable (such as plastic bags) as well as recyclables that have become contaminated by non-recyclable waste.

The City of Victoria encourages residents to dispose of waste properly to prevent contamination in our recycling system. The City of Victoria’s online Waste Wizard tool offers instructions for properly disposing of more than 200 types of common waste items.

To learn more and to look up items, visit www.victoriatx.gov/wastewizard.

The City of Victoria has published an informational webpage to help residents learn about the new stormwater drainage utility fee that is being proposed to fund maintenance and improvements for Victoria’s drainage system.

The webpage includes detailed information about how the fee is determined for different types of properties, specific drainage projects that it would fund during the coming years, how the fee compares to other cities and answers to other frequently asked questions.

The page can be found at www.victoriatx.gov/drainage. 

Why create a separate fee?

Unlike many other Texas cities, the City of Victoria does not have a dedicated funding source for drainage projects. This means that the City must rely on other funding sources for the stormwater drainage system, which has more than $129 million worth of unmet drainage needs. The lack of dedicated funding limits the amount of drainage projects and maintenance that the City is able to complete.

The proposed fee would allow for more robust funding in the following areas:

• General maintenance: mowing drainage ditches, culvert clearing/repairs, storm drain cleaning
• Capital projects: improvements at key outfalls and drainage channels citywide
• Emergency response: quick removal of blockages and localized flooding issues

What will the proposed fee be?

For non-commercial residential properties, the City is proposing a flat fee of $5 per month.

For other properties (businesses, apartment complexes, etc.), the bill is based on the property’s impervious area—surfaces such as roofs, driveways and pavement that do not absorb water. To calculate a specific property’s fee, visit www.victoriatx.gov/drainage. 

What’s next?

The City Council will vote on the proposed drainage fee at the March 3 and 17 City Council meetings. If approved, the drainage fee will go into effect in April 2026.

Full City Council meetings and agendas, including previous discussions on the stormwater drainage study, can be viewed at www.victoriatx.gov/tv15. 

To learn more about the project, visit www.victoriatx.gov/drainage. 

To learn more about the City’s budget, including projects planned for the upcoming fiscal year, visit www.victoriatx.gov/budget. 

Mayor Duane Crocker appeared on the first episode of the new season of Town Talk, the podcast produced by the City of Victoria Communications & Public Affairs, to discuss big projects planned for 2026, including the first-ever Growing Victoria Summit.

Mayor Crocker tells the story of how the idea for the free summit originated, building on the existing State of the City address to highlight Victoria in a bigger, community-centric way. 

“We really want this to be for the community and be very community-based,” said the mayor. “It’ll be very local-based and really address, ‘These are concerns of our citizens. These are the questions they have. Let’s address those and talk about how we come together and move forward.’”

The summit will offer a series of informative guest speakers and panel discussions about how all levels of education, workforce development, business retention and infrastructure play a role in helping our community prosper; what our community leaders are already doing; and how residents can get involved in helping Victoria grow. 

The mayor also discussed projects budgeted for 2026, including planned improvements in parks, streets, utilities and the Victoria Community Center.

“Overall, there’s a lot of infrastructure work going in,” said Mayor Crocker. “We’re doing what we can where we can and just trying to move the needle towards growth.” 

The half-day summit will take place March 12. Residents who are interested in attending the Growing Victoria Summit can register at www.growingvictoriatx.com by March 6 to participate.

To learn more, watch or listen to the latest episode of Town Talk on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

PHOTO: The new Public Safety Headquarters at 2525 N. Main St. houses the Victoria Police Department, the Municipal Court and the Victoria Fire Department administration.

The City of Victoria’s new Public Safety Headquarters, located at 2525 N. Main St., is now open to the public.

The facility serves as a centralized location for a wide range of public safety services. Residents can conduct business with the Victoria Police Department, including the Records Division, filing police reports in person, property return, and other police-related needs. The Victoria Municipal Court is also now fully operating from the new headquarters, with all court services offered at the previous location now available at the new site.

In addition, all Victoria Police Department operations formerly at the mall, including the Community Engagement Unit and Recruiting, are now operating from the Public Safety Headquarters. Community members interested in learning more about police services, outreach programs, or career opportunities with the department are encouraged to visit the new facility.

For the Victoria Fire Department, Fire Administration has officially relocated to the Public Safety Headquarters and is now operating from the building. The facility is also home to the Victoria Fire Marshal’s Office. Information regarding the Fire Marshal’s Office relocation will be shared once available.

Residents needing assistance from public safety departments should visit the Public Safety Headquarters during regular business hours. The public is reminded that this is a City of Victoria facility and does not include Texas Department of Public Safety services, such as driver’s license renewals.

To learn more about the Public Safety Headquarters and other projects planned for this fiscal year, visit www.victoriatx.gov/budget. 

The City of Victoria will host a public ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 25 at 10 a.m. For those unable to attend the ceremony, a livestream of the event will be available on Facebook at City of Victoria, Texas – Government.

The City of Victoria’s Economic Development department is broadening its business retention and expansion efforts with the addition of a new staff member who will work closely with Victoria business owners to help them thrive.

The City has hired Chris Conner as its first-ever business retention and expansion manager. Conner’s career has included various roles in managing relationships between businesses and government entities, most recently as the business development manager for the Central Florida Development Council. He also holds a certificate of economic development from the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.

“My goal is to provide open-ended support for whatever people might need,” Conner said. “If a business owner is having difficulties then we want to help before it’s too late, and if someone is looking to expand, we can provide resources to help with that as well.”

Conner will serve as a liaison between business owners and agencies that support the business community. Through these connections, he will learn about the needs of individual businesses, both large and small, and guide them to the appropriate resources or agencies.

“Before the Economic Development department was created, our formal business retention efforts were primarily focused on downtown through the Victoria Main Street program,” said Economic Development Director Danielle Williams. “As the City’s economic development efforts have grown, we have sought out more opportunities to support all businesses, and we are excited to take the next step with the business retention and expansion manager position.”

Stay connected

Williams and Conner will appear on an upcoming episode of the City’s podcast, Town Talk, to share more details about initiatives related to the new position. Past episodes of Town Talk are available on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

To learn more about how the City of Victoria supports economic development, visit www.growingvictoriatx.com. 

PHOTO: The new Public Safety Headquarters at 2525 N. Main St. will house the Victoria Police Department, the Municipal Court and the Victoria Fire Department administration.

The City of Victoria will celebrate the opening of its new Public Safety Headquarters with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. at 2525 N. Main St. 

The ceremony will be open to the public for those who wish to attend. A brief reception will follow the ribbon-cutting in the main lobby of the newly opened PSHQ.

The ceremony will feature remarks from City Manager Jesús A. Garza, Mayor Duane Crocker, Interim Chief of Police Clay Fetters, Fire Chief George Gamez and Municipal Court Judge Vanessa Heinold. 

The event marks a significant milestone for the City as it continues to invest in its public safety departments through the employee pay program, infrastructure, facilities, fleet upgrades and related initiatives.

The 70,000-square-foot facility will house the Victoria Police Department, including 911 dispatch; the Municipal Court; and the Victoria Fire Department administration, including the Fire Marshal’s Office. The new state-of-the-art building is designed to meet the City’s current needs while allowing room for future growth in the years to come.

The old Victoria Police Department station was built in 1968 for a staff of 50 people. Today, the police department has more than 160 employees, which required them to be placed in various locations throughout the City, such as at City Hall and with the substation within the Victoria Mall. Likewise, the Municipal Court lacked a dedicated courtroom, and the Victoria Fire Department administration was housed in an outdated administration building adjacent to a former fire station. 

For residents who are unable to attend the event in person, a livestream will be available on the City of Victoria’s official Facebook page at City of Victoria, Texas – Government.

To learn more about the Public Safety Headquarters and other projects planned for this fiscal year, visit www.victoriatx.gov/budget. 

PHOTO: Graduates of the Hybrid Fire Academy Class 9 pose for a photo with their instructors at the Victoria Community Center.

The Victoria Fire Department has been working to recruit additional firefighters for some time now. Since Fire Chief George Gamez took over leadership of the department in Feb. 2024, he has been focused on finding new and innovative ways to strengthen the department.  

VFD is always looking for new recruits who want to serve, but along with external solutions, Gamez sought out an internal one. Rather than relying solely on hiring new firefighters, the VFD decided to create an in-house Hybrid Fire Academy for employees who could serve as both firefighters and paramedics or emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

“We saw Victoria College graduating EMT classes all the time, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we target EMTs that maybe want to be firefighters?’” Gamez said. “The goal is to train them up and allow them to pick which side they want to go on, the fire or EMS side, but now we are going to have more firefighters.”

For class valedictorian Allyson Vondran, her desire to become a certified firefighter came from already being a member of VFD. As a paramedic, she regularly responded to fire calls, but she felt limited in how she could contribute. 

“I didn’t like going out on fire calls and not being able to help or not know what was going on,” Vondran said. “I really wanted to help the guys at my station, train with them, and I see the community that they have and I want to be a part of that.”

Vondran led a unique graduating class composed entirely of women who were already serving with the Victoria Fire Department. Vondran serves the department as one of its paramedic crew leaders alongside fellow graduates Jade Karl and Lisa Coultas. Meanwhile, Cassie Garza and Lindsey Sheffel each serve as EMTs. 

Ultimately, fire department leaders are hoping that they may have found a new, more efficient way to train firefighters. Each of the graduates of Class 9 did their coursework online and came in on various times either on the weekend or when they weren’t working to do their skills assessments. 

“This was the plan; we talked about it and we were pretty confident in it,” Gamez said. “We were going to hire these EMTs, let them get acclimated to how VFD works, and once they’re rooted in it we’d start the academy as their proving ground, and I think it went rather well.”

While this did help solve an immediate need for VFD, fire department leaders hope that the hybrid classes and EMT-to-firefighter pathway will be utilized regularly moving forward, with VFD creating quality firefighters for the community at a higher rate than ever before.

“We wanted to create something that we could bring to a wider scope and a wider audience,” Gamez said. “This is going to be something moving forward that we will offer not only to our own people, but open it up to the outside as well.”

PHOTO: The City of Victoria Municipal Court will host an outreach docket Feb. 20 at Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry. Shown at a 2025 docket are assistant city attorney Keith McKethan, court clerk David Baker and Municipal Court Judge Vanessa Heinold. 

The City of Victoria Municipal Court will offer multiple court dockets in February to give residents an opportunity to resolve outstanding warrants without the risk of arrest.

An additional virtual docket will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 9 a.m., in addition to the court’s regularly scheduled virtual docket on Monday, Feb. 23, at 1 p.m. Residents wishing to participate in a virtual session must check in before the docket begins downloading the Zoom application and inputting the meeting ID 361-485-3050. For information on virtual appearances, visit https://www.victoriatx.gov/255/E-Court-Appearance.

The court will also host an in-person docket on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Municipal Court courtroom, 107 W. Juan Linn St.

In addition, an outreach docket will be held on Friday, Feb. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Victoria Christian Assistance Ministry, 108 N. Liberty St.

The in-person and outreach dockets are come-and-go events. Participants attending a virtual docket must check in with court staff prior to the start of the session.

These special dockets are part of Warrant Resolution Month, an annual initiative designed to encourage individuals with outstanding warrants to speak with a judge or prosecutor about available resolution options.

Residents who are unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions are encouraged to contact the Municipal Court at 361-485-3050 or courtclerk@victoriatx.gov to discuss their cases.

To search for warrants or pay fines, visit www.victoriatx.gov/courtpay. For more information about Municipal Court programs and services, visit www.victoriatx.gov/municipalcourt.

Keep Victoria Beautiful hosted its annual volunteer appreciation event Jan. 22 to recognize the dedicated volunteers who help to fulfill KVB’s mission.

The following volunteers were recognized at the event:

• KVB Circle of Honor: Richard and Delores Torres and family; Tiffany Totah
• Volunteer of the Year: James Chinowith
• Team of the Year: City of Victoria Development Services
• Power in Numbers: Victoria West High School National Honor Society
• Youth Team of the Year: St. Joseph High School

The KVB Circle of Honor was created in 2024 to honor those who have won an individual or team award three times. Honorees’ names are inscribed on a plaque at City Hall.

Sponsors for the event were Avi Jade Event Balloons, Call Albert Landscaping, The Chopping Block, Del Papa Distributing Co., Garden-Ville, Miss Golden Crescent, 360 Glow Photo Booth, USA DeBusk and Yummy Finds.

View more photos from the volunteer appreciation event.

PHOTO #1: KVB Circle of Honor: Richard and Delores Torres and family

PHOTO #2: KVB Circle of Honor: Tiffany Totah

PHOTO #3: Volunteer of the Year: James Chinowith

PHOTO #4: Team of the Year: City of Victoria Development Services

PHOTO #5: Power in Numbers: Victoria West High School National Honor Society

PHOTO #6: Youth Team of the Year

Swimmers compete at the Victoria ISD Aquatics Center during the first weekend of the TAAF Winter Games of Texas. More than 600 amateur athletes competed Jan. 17-18 in golf, disc golf and swimming. Events were hosted at the Victoria ISD Aquatics Center and at Riverside Park. The TAAF Winter Games will continue Feb. 14-15 as the City and its partners host e-sports, adaptive basketball, flag football, softball and tennis. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/tournaments. 

View more photos from the first weekend.

PHOTO: The Victoria Public Library has received a grant to install two soundproof booths like the one shown here. Image courtesy of Inbox Booths.

The Victoria Public Library has received a grant to install two soundproof booths, providing patrons with a quiet place to work, study and access digital services.

This project helps to fulfill the need for quiet study spaces outlined in the library master plan. During the plan’s development, residents were surveyed about amenities they’d like to see at the library, and dedicated quiet spaces were the third most popular choice. 

The wheelchair-accessible booths include a foldout bench and table, and they will be equipped with electrical outlets, an Ethernet port, adjustable fans and LED lighting. Residents will be able to reserve the booths in advance.

The booths will be installed in April.

Bridging the digital divide

PHOTO: The new booths will be wheelchair-accessible and will include a foldout bench and table, electrical outlets and an Ethernet port. Image courtesy of Inbox Booths.

The booths were purchased through the Texas State Library and Archives Commission’s Library Infrastructure Facility Improvement Grant program. This grant program is funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act with the goal of helping public libraries connect patrons with crucial digital services.

In addition to providing quiet spaces, the booths will allow visitors to access online services that require speaking and video conferencing.

“The demand for quiet, private spaces for job interviews, training, studying and telehealth services was intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to increase every year,” said Victoria Public Library Assistant Director Katrine Villella. “With the addition of these new booths, our patrons will enjoy improved access to computers, high-speed internet and the support of trained staff to help them become adept digital navigators.”

Stay connected

To learn more about Victoria Public Library programs and services, visit www.victoriatx.gov/library.

PHOTO: A resident fishes at the Riverside Park duck pond Jan. 6.

Residents can once again catch rainbow trout at the Riverside Park duck pond.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has stocked the duck pond with 850 rainbow trout. An additional 850 trout will be added to the pond in February.

TPWD is providing the trout at no cost to the City.

Residents may also be able to catch other species that live in the duck pond year-round, such as catfish, bluegill and crappie.

Regulations for duck pond fishing

The duck pond is governed by TPWD regulations for community fishing lakes:

• Only pole-and-line fishing is permitted (no net fishing).
• There is no size limit for any of the fish species currently in the duck pond.
• Anglers may keep no more than five fish per day. All fish species count toward this total.
• Residents should only keep fish that they intend to use. Unwanted fish should be released. It is illegal to discard unwanted fish. 
• A fishing license is required for all anglers 17 or older and for adults accompanying an angler under 17.

Fishing regulations are enforced by the Texas Game Wardens. To report a violation, call 800-792-GAME (4263).

For more information about fishing regulations and licensing, visit www.tpwd.texas.gov. 

Residents are also reminded that wade fishing is not allowed at the duck pond.

Be mindful of wildlife

Riverside Park is a natural area, and visitors should be respectful of ducks and other wildlife in the park.

Residents who wish to feed the ducks should use seedless grapes, chopped lettuce, birdseed, peas, corn or oats. Do not feed the ducks bread.

After fishing, residents should remove any fishing lines or lures that could harm wildlife.

Stay connected

To learn more about Parks & Recreation programs and facilities, visit www.victoriatx.gov/parks. 

PHOTO #1: Parks & Recreation staff, H-E-B partners and Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers pose for a photo after planting native trees in Pine Street Park on Dec. 16.

The City of Victoria Parks & Recreation is excited to announce that it has received a grant from the H-E-B Trees for Texans “For Communities” program to plant five native trees in Pine Street Park.

Parks & Recreation planted the trees Dec. 16 alongside H-E-B partners and Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers to help residents cultivate a deeper connection to nature and promote environmental stewardship, and to support the department’s goal of improving neighborhood parks in Victoria.

“Trees for Texans is a long-term investment in the future of all Texans, including our community in Victoria” said Anahi Villarruel, Project Manager at H-E-B Environmental Affairs. “The trees planted with Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers, the City of Victoria Parks & Recreation, and our H-E-B Partners will help support biodiversity, provide cleaner air, shade, and water filtration for generations of Texans to come!”

About Trees for Texans

PHOTO #2: Parks & Recreation staff, H-E-B partners and Keep Victoria Beautiful volunteers help to plant a tree in Pine Street Park on Dec. 16.

Native trees provide crucial ecosystem services like air and water filtration, shade, and cooling. Trees also enhance local communities, providing educational opportunities and mental health benefits that enrich the quality of life of Texans, according to information provided by Trees for Texans.

Trees for Texans, managed by Texan by Nature, awarded grants to 26 communities in 2025 and invites local nonprofits across all regions of Texas to apply for funding in 2026. For more information and application details, visit www.texanbynature.org. 

What’s next

In fiscal year 2026, Parks & Recreation will upgrade Meadowlane Park and add a splash pad to the Children’s Park (within Riverside Park) with help from the Marsha Shanklin Foundation. The play equipment at the Children’s Park will be renovated in 2027.

To learn more about Parks & Recreation facilities and programs, visit www.victoriatx.gov/parks.

The City of Victoria encourages residents to sign up for the City’s Alert Center to receive timely updates about City services.

“The City’s Alert Center is a helpful resource for anyone who’d like to stay connected with the City of Victoria,” said Communications & Public Affairs Director Ashley Strevel. “Whether you’re a longtime utility customer or someone who simply wants to keep up with what’s happening in your community, the City’s Alert Center is your direct link to timely, relevant updates.”

The City’s Alert Center is not an emergency alert service, and it is not affiliated with the CodeRed service administered by the Victoria Office of Emergency Management.   

Trash pickups and a whole lot more

Residents who are City of Victoria trash and utility customers will automatically receive updates about missed or delayed trash/recycling pickups, as well as updates on water service and drought restrictions.

However, by setting up an account through the City’s Alert Center, residents can sign up for additional types of updates, including road closures, street sweeping and press releases.

How to sign up

• Trash/utility customers: Follow the signup link in your invitation email. If you did not get an invitation, email communications@victoriatx.gov for assistance.
• Non-customers: Visit www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter to create a free account.

Choose how you receive alerts

Residents can choose to receive updates by email, phone call and/or text message.

Contact information for trash/utility customers is based on the contact information that is on file with the Utility Billing Office. Customers should contact the Utility Billing Office at 361-485-3400 to update their primary contact methods.

Additional contact methods can be added online as “Additional Text,” “Additional Call,” etc.

Sign in to access new features

Residents who have already created an Alert Center account are encouraged to check out new features that may have been added since they last signed in. The following features have been added to the City’s Alert Center within the past four months:

• Addresses: Non-customers now have the option to enter an address for your account. This allows the City to send targeted alerts for issues that may only affect certain neighborhoods, like street sweeping and water pressure interruptions. 
• News releases: Sign up to be notified when articles are posted on the City’s website.

To sign in to your account, visit www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter and click on “Sign In.”

Got questions?

Residents can visit www.victoriatx.gov/alertcenter and click on “FAQs” to learn more about the City’s Alert Center, including how to set up an account.

For further assistance, please contact the City of Victoria Communications & Public Affairs at communications@victoriatx.gov or 361-485-3110.

PHOTO #1: Residents who earned the title of Distinguished Citizen in 2024 pose for a photo with City leaders during a City Council meeting.

The City of Victoria offers three educational programs at no cost to residents who want to learn more about their local government, and a special honor awaits residents who complete all three.

The City confers the title of Distinguished Citizen to residents who complete Citizens Academy, the Civilian Police Academy and the Civilian Responder Program (formerly the Civilian Fire Academy).

Distinguished Citizens will receive a plaque recognizing their achievement and will be recognized during a City Council meeting in November.

The programs are scheduled to give residents the option of completing all three in one calendar year. Residents who have already completed one of the programs will be prioritized in admissions to the other two programs.

About the programs

PHOTO #2: Citizens Academy participants listen to a presentation by Environmental Services Director Christy Youker, one of about 15 presenters representing various City departments and partner organizations. 

Citizens Academy, hosted by the City’s Communications & Public Affairs department, provides curious residents with an in-depth look at the different functions of City government. Residents will hear from City leaders on topics including economics, emergency services, infrastructure, entertainment and community development, and they’ll also have opportunities to ask questions and network. The program cultivates residents’ personal growth as informed and engaged citizens, helping them to better understand their local government and showing them how they can get involved or even serve on a local board and commission.

Applications are currently open for the 2026 academy, which will begin on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 5:30 p.m. Space is limited, and residents are encouraged to apply as soon as possible before the Oct. 31 deadline. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/citizensacademy. 

PHOTO #3: Civilian Police Academy participants take part in a simulated building search at an abandoned building.

The Civilian Police Academy, hosted by the Victoria Police Department, is designed to give participants a working knowledge of their police department. Law enforcement officials will teach attendees how their police department works through a combination of classroom lessons and exciting “hands-on” simulations and experiences related to police work and training. Topics include building searches, firearm safety, crime scene searches, traffic stops K-9 tactics and SWAT. In addition to attending the class sessions, each participant will complete a ride-along with a patrol officer.

The 2026 academy will begin in February. Applications are accepted throughout the year. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/police. 

PHOTO #4: Civilian Responder Program participants observe a Jaws of Life demonstration at the Victoria Fire Department training facility.

The Civilian Responder Program, hosted by the Victoria Fire Department, gives residents the chance to experience firefighting and EMS activities hands-on. Participants will become familiar with ambulances and fire trucks, use the Jaws of Life to cut apart a wrecked vehicle, learn how to operate a fire extinguisher and rappel down the side of a building. Participants will also learn critical first-aid skills such as how to control serious bleeding, perform hands-only CPR, use an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and administer Narcan.

The 2026 program will begin in May. Applications will open a few months before the program begins. To learn more, visit www.victoriatx.gov/fire. 

The City of Victoria is lifting some of its drought restrictions, but residents must continue to conserve water by limiting some types of nonessential water usage to the cooler times of day.

The City entered Stage III of its drought contingency plan in May after low rainfall across the region limited the City’s ability to pump water from the Guadalupe River. The City is now terminating Stage III restrictions and re-entering Stage II after heavy rainfall caused the river to rise, which allows the City to resume normal pumping and reduces the need for restrictions.

What must residents do to conserve water?

Under Stage II of the plan, residents are no longer required to follow many of the Stage III restrictions, such as the limitation of watering to designated days. However, residents still must limit the following activities to the hours of 6-10 a.m. and 8 p.m.-midnight:

• Using an automatic lawn sprinkler or hose-end sprinkler
• Filling pools
• Washing vehicles (this restriction does not apply to commercial car washes and service stations)

Residents can water their lawns with hoses at any time of day, as long as the hose has a positive shut-off nozzle.

When will the restrictions be lifted?

The City will terminate Stage II restrictions and re-enter Stage One when the flow of the Guadalupe River rises above its “low flow” threshold for 14 consecutive days and when Public Works determines that the City’s water intake can meet demand without the restrictions.

The “low flow” threshold is defined by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and varies from month to month.

Under Stage One, all mandatory restrictions will be lifted and residents will be asked to practice voluntary water conservation.

Stay connected

For more information about the drought contingency plan, visit www.victoriatx.gov/droughtplan or contact Public Works at 361-485-3380.

Updated June 12: The groundbreaking ceremony originally scheduled for June 13 has been postponed due to inclement weather.

Realtex Development Corporation, an Austin-based multifamily developer, and its partners, Zieben Group and 42 Equity, have partnered to build a $16 million affordable housing community to serve the growing senior population in Victoria. 

The Victorian will be a high-quality, 68-unit community located at 1001 John Stockbauer Drive, and it will offer independent senior living in one- and two-bedroom apartments for residents 55 and older.

Local leaders and stakeholders plan to host a groundbreaking ceremony for the project. City Manager Jesús A. Garza and Realtex Development Corporation President Rick J. Deyoe will be among the speakers at the event.

“The Victoria City Council has been a pillar and beacon of light in the Victoria community for the past years,” Deyoe said. “The City’s support played a crucial role in bridging financial shortfalls to ensure the project moved forward despite rising construction costs and other market challenges.”

Leasing is expected to begin June 1, 2026, and the apartments are projected to open in October 2026.

Support from the City

In 2023, the Victoria City Council passed a resolution of support for the project to boost Realtex’s application for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ (TDHCA) competitive Housing Tax Credit Program, which helped fund the project.

Previously, in 2020, Garza and then-Assistant City Manager Mike Etienne successfully advocated for changes to the TDHCA program criteria that have helped Victoria developments compete with projects in larger and more densely populated cities such as Corpus Christi.

The City also partnered with Realtex Development Corporation on Enchanted Gardens, an affordable apartment complex that opened in 2022. Enchanted Gardens was funded in part by the TDHCA’s noncompetitive tax credit program and Victoria Housing Finance Corporation bonds.

“The shortage of affordable housing is a struggle in large and small cities throughout our state, and Victoria is no exception,” Garza said. “The City of Victoria has increased our efforts to support housing development in recent years, and we are pleased to welcome this project that will fill an important gap in our community by providing an affordable option for our older residents.”

How it’s funded

This new construction development was made possible with TDHCA housing tax credits, which were purchased by 42 Equity Partners, LLC. Other financing sources include loans for construction provided by IBC Bank and the Victoria Housing Finance Corporation, which must be repaid by the developer. Once construction is completed, Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust (“CRBT”) will be providing the permanent financing for the project. 

“These funding sources were essential not just in bringing this project to life, but in ensuring that it remains a long-term, sustainable solution for Victoria’s growing senior population in need of affordable housing,” Deyoe said.

As part of the City Council’s resolution of support, the City agreed to waive $500 in building permit fees for the project.

The complex is expected to generate about $130,000 in annual property taxes for the City and other taxing entities.

About the apartments

The three-story community includes one- and two-bedroom units and features amenities such as elevators, a community center with a state-of-the-art fitness center, a business center, an activities room, an onsite leasing facility, mailbox kiosks with package delivery, a resort-style pool, a dog park and barbecue areas for picnics. Also, each apartment unit features amenities such as 9-foot ceilings, outdoor balconies, walk-in closets in all bedrooms, energy-efficient appliances and utility fixtures, and washer and dryer hookups.

The community was designed by Element Architects and will be built by general contractor Nations Construction of Houston.

Most of the units will be reserved for households at or below the 60% median family income. Of the 68 units:

• 6 units are reserved for households at or below 30% MFI
• 12 units are reserved for households at or below 50% MFI
• 42 units are reserved for households at or below 60% MFI
• 8 units are at market value with no income restrictions.

“Developments like The Victorian are essential in providing stable housing for older adults who are often priced out of the market,” said Alma Cobb, vice president of Realtex Development Corporation. “Our residents and team members work together with compassion and care to live life to the fullest.” 

Cobb said the project is designed to provide amenities and services that will allow senior residents to enjoy maximum independence as they age in place in the area where many have raised their children and have lived for many years.

“As housing costs continue to rise, many seniors—whether on fixed incomes or still working—struggle to find safe, accessible and community-oriented living options that meet their needs," Cobb said. “The Victorian Senior Apartments will give seniors in Victoria a nice, new, viable place to live.”

Lee Zieben, founder and president of the Zieben Group, said that Realtex Development Corporation and Zieben Group both share the same vision when it comes to quality housing for seniors.

“We are trying to build a better society in which people can live,” Zieben said.

Stay connected

For questions about the property or rental information, contact Alma Cobb, vice president of property management for Realtex, at acobb@realtexdevelopment.com.

To learn more about how the City of Victoria encourages housing development, visit www.victoriatx.gov/housing.

PHOTO: The first phase of the new shopping center near Kohl’s will include Burlington Coat Factory, Five Below and Ulta Beauty. Photo provided by Luminous Property Investments.

On May 16, Victoria Exchange Development and Sundance Construction will formally break ground on the first phase of a new shopping center near Kohl’s.

The shopping center will include space for seven retailers or restaurants. The following retailers have signed leases for the space:

• Burlington Coat Factory
• Five Below
• Ulta Beauty

The developer is continuing to negotiate with other businesses that are interested in the space. Updates will be provided as they become available.

“New retail developments and restaurants are a key part of keeping local money local, since they encourage residents to do their shopping in Victoria rather than going to other cities or shopping online,” said Economic Development Director Danielle Williams. “This new development will support our goal of growing Victoria and making our community a more attractive place to shop for residents and visitors alike.”

What’s next

The first phase of the development, which will include four retail spaces, will finish in the spring of 2026. Construction on the second and final phase will begin in August of this year and finish August 2026. 

The second phase will include street improvements and new traffic signals on nearby Broadmoor Street, as well as utility improvements. These upgrades are required under the City’s unified development ordinance, which was adopted in 2024 and includes provisions for traffic safety and other improvements that must accompany new developments.

How it’s funded

The shopping center is a $25 million private investment by Victoria Exchange Development.

The City of Victoria is planning to contribute $1 million toward the improvements on Broadmoor Street, to be paid after the Phase One retailers have begun to move in.

The traffic signals are being funded by the Texas Department of Transportation as part of the agency’s ongoing safety initiatives.

The City also plans to partner with the Victoria Sales Tax Development Corporation to provide up to $500,000 in sales tax rebates, to be paid in five yearly installments, if the development meets agreed-upon sales tax milestones.

Stay connected

To learn more, watch or listen to the latest episode of Town Talk on YouTube at Victoria Texas Videos or on Spotify at Town Talk (City of Victoria).

To learn more about how the City and its partners are working to grow commerce in Victoria, visit www.growingvictoriatx.com.