Plan Alvarado
Welcome to Plan Alvarado, a community-driven project to update the City's long-range planning documents, namely the Comprehensive Plan, Downtown Master Plan, and Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This website will serve as the project hub as we kick off Plan Alvarado. You'll be able to follow our progress, learn more, and find ways to participate. This project is funded in part by the State of Texas General Land Office through the Resilient Communities Program grant.
Add your voice to Plan Alvarado through our interactive Collaboration Map. Drop a pin to highlight what you love, note a challenge, or spark a fresh idea and then explore the live Activity Panel to see your neighbors’ insights in real time. Every marker helps the team refine strategies that make the Plan safer, more vibrant, and ready for Alvarado’s future.
Alvarado’s population is currently estimated at 10,672, with rapid growth expected due to infrastructure investments, new development, and deregulation. Using a 7.5% compound annual growth rate, the city could reach 45,000 residents by 2045. The study anticipates accelerated development due to Texas’ regulatory environment and Alvarado’s strategic location.
Alvarado is expecting over 7,000 new housing units in the next decade, driven by development agreements, planned infrastructure expansion, and strong market demand. Most future housing will be single-family, with several major developments already approved or proposed. With favorable affordability and development readiness, the City can guide growth by aligning infrastructure investment, voluntary annexation, and diversified housing policy.
This study evaluates current conditions and future needs for water, wastewater, drainage, roadways, and broadband. Key recommendations include expanding utility capacity, completing a Roadway Condition Assessment, joining FEMA’s Community Rating System, and improving digital connectivity. A phased, well-funded Capital Improvement Program (CIP) will help ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with Alvarado’s projected growth.
Alvarado faces risks from tornadoes, flooding, drought, wildfires, and severe storms, as outlined in the Johnson County Hazard Mitigation Plan. Additional threats include cyberattacks, transportation accidents, and risks to vulnerable populations such as the elderly and low-income households. Mitigation strategies focus on energy reliability, public awareness, system redundancies, and targeted emergency planning.
The Land Use Study will evaluate existing land uses and guide future growth through a comprehensive Future Land Use Plan and map. It will identify appropriate development patterns based on infrastructure capacity, hazard mitigation, and projected population increases. The study is a core deliverable of the Resilient Communities Program grant and ensures conformance between future land use, zoning, and infrastructure investments.
