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Amarillo's Barrio Gets Streetscape Upgrades and New Pocket Park
Resident board members and city projects target infrastructure upgrades, cultural identity and safety across the neighborhood.
How we reported this
The Barrio Neighborhood Plan, shaped by local resident input, is moving ahead with construction on the SE 10th Avenue Streetscape that started in November 2024 and plans for the La Plazita Pocket Park.
The effort aligns with the broader Amarillo Comprehensive Plan and directs public spending toward practical changes that residents have identified. Construction timelines and upcoming plaza work give the plan immediate visibility in daily life for people who live and work in the area.
City staff at the Planning Department inside the Simms Municipal Building handle day-to-day coordination. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and inquiries reach the department by phone at 806-378-6290 or email at cityplanning@amarillo.gov.
Projects Under Way
Two featured efforts stand out. The SE 10th Avenue Streetscape redesign adds safer routes for walking, biking and driving. The La Plazita Pocket Park will create a small public plaza suited for community gatherings once completed.
These items sit inside a larger list of priorities that include alley repairs, clearer neighborhood gateways, updated land-use rules for business sites, expanded healthcare access and stronger ties with law enforcement on crime and traffic issues.
Community Board Members
Day-to-day leadership rests with the Barrio board. Teresa Kennedy serves as president, Quintin Marquez as vice president, Beckie Hansen as secretary and Angela Garcia as treasurer. Additional members are John Betancourt, Edith DiTommaso, Nicole Gotcher, David Martinez, Raul David Rosas, Laurie Roybal and R.J. Soleyjacks.
These residents represent the neighborhood voice that shaped the plan from the start. Their roster appears on the city site that also hosts boundary maps and the full plan document.
Next steps include checking the city website for project updates or stopping by the Simms Municipal Building to review maps and schedules in person. The planning department maintains the most current information on both the streetscape and the pocket park.