In the latest episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie interviewed Manor Mayor Dr. Chris Harvey about the city's explosive growth and the infrastructure investments underway to support it. Manor, a 153-year-old city on Austin's eastern edge, grew 225% between 2013 and 2023, and expects an additional 22,000 residents by 2030. With 14,000 housing units in the planning pipeline, the city is racing to build facilities and diversify its economy.
Harvey highlighted that Manor is building its first ever city-owned library and recreation center, funded through a recent bond election. He noted, "Our city is 153 years old and this is the first time we're building these facilities. And so that's phase one." The city is also studying the feasibility of a 50-bed hospital, anchored by a relationship with St. David's, which already operates a full-service emergency center downtown. McKenzie drew parallels to other Texas cities, noting that Garland is currently the largest city in the country without a hospital and that Bastrop faces similar healthcare gaps, framing Manor's hospital ambitions as part of a statewide challenge.
Harvey discussed the push to diversify the tax base beyond residential property and recoup sales tax revenue committed away in a 1985 vote. He said, "The tax rate is not the tax rate because we want it to be a high tax rate. Being able to get to a lower tax rate is city leadership's dream." The city is working to recover sales tax dollars and reinvest them into roads, parks, and drainage.
Manor is also finalizing its first ever comprehensive plan, a 600-page document mapping the next 30 years of growth. Workforce development is a key focus, with regular meetings between the city manager and Manor ISD to share demographic data and coordinate employer recruitment. Harvey described the region as a "Golden Triangle of Opportunity," driven by semiconductor manufacturing, logistics hubs, and Samsung-related suppliers.
The episode is available now wherever podcasts are heard and on YouTube. The Building Texas Show is sponsored by Chisos Boots.
