In the latest episode of The Building Texas Show, host Justin McKenzie sits down with Manor Mayor Dr. Chris Harvey to explore how the city is managing explosive growth on Austin's eastern edge. Manor, a 153-year-old city, grew 225% between 2013 and 2023 and expects 22,000 more residents by 2030, with 14,000 housing units in the planning pipeline. Harvey describes the region as a "Golden Triangle of Opportunity," driven by semiconductor manufacturing, logistics hubs, and Samsung-related suppliers.
The conversation centers on Manor's first-ever city-owned library and recreation center, funded by a recent bond election, and a feasibility study for a proposed 50-bed hospital anchored by St. David's, which already operates a full-service emergency center downtown. Harvey acknowledges the city is playing catch-up: "Our city is 153 years old and this is the first time we're building these facilities. And so that's phase one." He also addresses tax policy, explaining that lowering the rate is a long-term goal tied to economic development. "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," he says, detailing efforts to recover sales tax dollars and reinvest them into roads, parks, and drainage.
Harvey highlights collaboration with Manor ISD, which was historically the city's largest employer, to align workforce development with new industries. Regular meetings between the city manager and superintendent share demographic data and coordinate employer recruitment. McKenzie draws parallels to other Texas cities like Garland, the largest city in the country without a hospital, and Bastrop, framing Manor's hospital ambitions as part of a statewide challenge with suburban growth and healthcare access.
The episode also covers Manor's first comprehensive plan—a 600-page document guiding the next 30 years—and the push to diversify the tax base beyond residential property, including recouping sales tax revenue committed away in a 1985 vote. The full episode is available on YouTube and wherever podcasts are heard.
