Time to build a massive city in the Marfa-Alpine-Ft Davis area? (El Paso: organic, centers)

[PCALMike]

This area is generally considered to have the best weather in the country outside of California, but it is not being properly exploited. What is the best way this area can be used for the benefit of Texas? Perhaps allowing gambling and create a massive gambling town? Or other ideas?

[smuboy86]

Originally Posted by PCALMike

This area is generally considered to have the best weather in the country outside of California, but it is not being properly exploited. What is the best way this area can be used for the benefit of Texas? Perhaps allowing gambling and create a massive gambling town? Or other ideas?

There is literally no water to support development beyond what is already there. Not only that to rape the natural beauty of the area with human development would be a crime.

[PCALMike]

Originally Posted by smuboy86

There is literally no water to support development beyond what is already there. Not only that to rape the natural beauty of the area with human development would be a crime.

Isnt this a bit pessimistic?

[smuboy86]

Originally Posted by PCALMike

Isnt this a bit pessimistic?

Realism isn't pessimism, there aren't the natural resources there to support development beyond what exists there now.

[TXNGL]

Originally Posted by smuboy86

Realism isn't pessimism, there aren't the natural resources there to support development beyond what exists there now.

And it's not like others haven't tried! The resort at Lajitas comes to mind. It's doing better now but when I visited the Big Bend area in the early 2000s (major drought) they were suffering due to lack of natural resources. Folks have attempted to exploit that part of the country for over a century and they fail.

[TexasTallest]

Agreed with smuboy. It would be a crying shame to do something like what OP wishes for to that area. Not only would the natural beauty and starry night skies be ruined, but people go to that region to escape urban civilization.

[Johnhw2]

That area is a long ways from Jobs and other population centers. Water is an issue as it is across the west but ignored in existing places like LA, LV, Phoenix etc.

I believe in organic growth occurring naturally which hasn't happened in this area and wont due to the key elements mentioned.

If one hasnt been to this area, the map doesnt fully depict how far it is to this region from even I10 or say El Paso,

[SouthernTiger]

If this ever gets tried, it will end up being the next California City. I'm not talking about places like Santa Rosa or Fresno or Sacramento. There's an actual place in that state named California City. If you don't know what i'm talking about, look it up.

[mm4]

Originally Posted by PCALMike

This area is generally considered to have the best weather in the country outside of California, but it is not being properly exploited. What is the best way this area can be used for the benefit of Texas? Perhaps allowing gambling and create a massive gambling town? Or other ideas?

Take a hike.

[cBach]

The carrying capacity of the land doesn't support it.