This column represents the thoughts and opinions of Jason Hennington. This is NOT the opinion of the Taylor Press.
There is a lot happening in Taylor. All of us can see the growth coming, including the arrival of Samsung Austin Semiconductor and other businesses, and those major industries with their thousands of workers who will create a different demographic.
In about five years, Taylor will be completely different than the way it was 10 years ago. It’s already vastly different from when I grew up here.
Many think the changes have been a mixed bag, but primarily positive.
If you look at the difference from the 1980s and 1990s to now, you will see more diversity on boards, committees and the City Council. However, there is still a lack of development south of the overpass in a traditionally Black area of town.
There is representation in various forms in Taylor now, including Taylor Pride. But, at the majority of the pride events, there are also those exercising their right to protest, too.
With the advent of this new growth, the annual income of homeowners and business owners is likely to change. That could lead to housing variables in certain areas of town as the population continues to increase. According to Census Bureau figures, more and more people are moving to Taylor.
In other words, gentrification could be inevitable.
Gentrification is a process where older neighborhoods are revitalized, homes are updated or new ones constructed, property values go up, housing costs or rents increase, and long-term residents are forced out by the newcomers. It’s a story being played out in cities across the country.
Wealthier investors could come and buy land that would force property taxes to increase in the area, essentially driving people out of their homes because the cost is too high.
In the ‘90s, The Line, a strip along MLK Boulevard, was bulldozed. It had several local, profitable, successful businesses, yet there was never a plan to rebuild. That could have been the precursor for gentrification, a sign of what’s to come.
In the future, as new employees move here, development in those same areas could bring more attention to that part of town, which could displace longtime residents.
A variety of people coming to Taylor will help the economy but could also alter the makeup of longestablished neighborhoods. At this time, Taylor does not possess a wealth of new housing stock, so people will go where housing currently exists.
While an assortment of residents – whether characterized by race, sexual orientation or income – is normally positive for a community, in the eyes of some, it could also have a negative effect.
While many people seem supportive of change, you can still hear, “Don’t California my Taylor.”
There are those who rail against the growth, gay pride and urban communities. While Taylor still has a strong agrarian background, it exists as part of the greater Austin metroplex, and that’s reflected by the influx of new residents and new ideas.
Could social changes like these influence people to leave town because Taylor is growing and becoming “woke”?
In my view, when communities “wake up,” they become more progressive and accepting. There are pros and cons to that. Could we see some of our longtime established residents decide to leave town?
However, if someone is leaving an area because the small community where they grew up has changed economically, that’s one thing. Leaving because a group of people different from you are moving has another name.
I’m going to get off my soapbox now. Before I do, I want to say rest in peace to hip-hop artist Takeoff of the Migos. He was fatally shot in Houston over a dice game last week. The senseless violence has to stop.
“Some people are afraid of gentrification, but what I see is young people want to live in a different world.
And they see possibilities here.”
— Grace Lee Boggs
