The new tool, called Talk About Town, was launched Jan. 18 and is a topics page where residents can find out about new businesses and developments, comment, ask questions, and take surveys about future development in the city.
The city had debuted its interactive community engagement hub, League City Listens, last June, but wanted more back-and-forth communication with residents, said Amber Pedigo, the city's manager of community engagement and special projects.
"We were hoping to get a more robust two-way dialogue going with the community on what they'd like to see in League City as it continues to grow," Pedigo said.
By taking the survey on the app, residents can provide input on the city's future development.
League City Listens was initiated by the community response generated through a community-led group called the League City Alliance that gave the city some insight into the questions residents were asking, Pedigo said.
"We thought it was an opportunity for the city to put a fun and engaging form of survey on the site, as well as maps that will lead residents to our local development," she said.
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Restaurant and new business locators updated each month give the community a map to what's new.
"We want people to be aware of what's coming or what is here to support local business," Pedigo said.
The survey has only been opened for a few weeks, but Pedigo said it has become one of the more popular features on the city's website.
So far, according to the survey, residents are putting new restaurants and retail businesses at the top of the list.
According to Pedigo, that result correlates with a survey question indicating that 55 percent of the respondents shop outside city limits.
Rounding out the top five are community centers and parks with recreational amenities, mixed use developments — which combine residential, office, retail and public art — and family-oriented entertainment.
The feedback will help the city plan the city's development for the next 10 to 30 years.
"At some point the survey will close and then we will take the data and pass it on to department heads and city council," she said.
The survey is expected to be open for up to 12 weeks, and results and the order could change. The city is not looking for quick hits, but rather long-term ideas and wish lists, Pedigo said.
"As League City is going to be developed over the next 10-plus years, there is time for this feedback, so we're not rushing through it," Pedigo said. "We just want to hear from people on what they want to see."
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