transportation access and proximity to e-commerce supply chains. Mayor Truong expresses particular pride in landing H Mart: “We are particularly excited and humbled that H Mart has chosen to locate their seventh Texas store in our city.” The development partnership includes Mercantile Partners LP, KBC Advisors, Velocis, and Haltom City Forest Properties LLC. Residential density follows commercial development. Alpine Fossil Creek, a 296-unit luxury apartment community overlooking Big Fossil Creek, expects completion in early 2026. Alpha-Barnes Real Estate and Alpine Construction are constructing what will eventually total over 1,000 luxury multi-family units across multiple phases. “This new residential development will bring the density necessary to feed our new record economic growth and future retail in the area such as restaurants, entertainment, retail stores,” Briggs explains. Hotel construction complements this growth, with a Holiday Inn Express recently completed and three Marriott properties approved for development. FISCAL DISCIPLINE IN A GROWTH ENVIRONMENT Haltom City operates with conservative budgeting principles that contrast with its ambitious development agenda. “We make sure when we go through our budget cycle every year that any recurring costs have recurring revenue to cover that,” Mayor Truong explains. “The largest majority of that is with personnel costs.That’s something we probably pay the most attention to.” The approach indicates financial caution born from leaner years when infrastructure crumbled and resources were scarce. Staffing efficiency stands out among regional competitors. “Last time we checked, we were the lowest number of employees per capita of any of the northeast Tarrant County cities,” Phelps says. The city may hold this distinction across all of Tarrant County, though officials verified only their immediate competitive set. This lean operation occurs while the city provides full municipal services including 39 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 HALTOM CITY, TX
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