Issues
Mayor Qourzal believes Woodway’s greatest asset is the residents and neighbors of this community. Together, we build Woodway’s future by focusing on issues that directly impact all our citizens and not just a segment. That’s why, Mayor Qourzal is committed to the issues that matter the most in our community. Read below for his platform, and for facts on the issues.
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Mayor Qourzal is dedicated to achieving a balanced budget while maintaining the lowest possible property tax rate for Woodway residents. That’s why he has voted for a no-revenue tax rate for the past 3 years in office. His approach focuses on efficient and prudent financial management to ensure our city delivers high-quality services without overburdening taxpayers. By prioritizing fiscal responsibility, Mayor Qourzal aims to enhance the quality of life for all residents, making Woodway a thriving and well-managed community.
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Woodway is truly the gem of central Texas, and Mayor Qourzal is dedicated to continuously improving city services, public safety, amenities, parks, and facilities to ensure residents enjoy the best quality of life. Mayor Qourzal also places a strong emphasis on fostering community engagement, believing that a connected and involved community is key to Woodway's ongoing success and bright future.
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To keep Woodway the best city, Mayor Qourzal is committed to investing in the best infrastructure. He believes in allocating resources to enhance the city's streets, water, and sewer lines, ensuring that future generations benefit from a stronger, more resilient Woodway. Mayor Qourzal's vision is to build a foundation that supports the community's growth and prosperity for years to come.
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Recognizing that Woodway is primarily a residential community, Mayor Qourzal is committed to adhering to the city’s master plan. He aims to protect neighborhoods and homes from urban sprawl, ensuring that new businesses are welcomed in designated commercial areas. By doing so, Mayor Qourzal strives to maintain the character and integrity of Woodway's residential areas while supporting thoughtful and strategic growth.
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As a family man first, Mayor Qourzal takes great pride in raising his family in our city. For this reason, Mayor Qourzal is committed to keeping Woodway as a family-friendly community. Under his leadership, the town has seen numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing public safety, improving parks and recreational facilities, and fostering a sense of community. Mayor Qourzal believes that a strong, supportive environment is key to ensuring that families can thrive and enjoy all that Woodway has to offer. His vision includes creating more family-oriented events, expanding educational opportunities, and ensuring that Woodway remains a safe and vibrant place for all residents.
FAQs
WHat is the HISTORY of the old woodway family center?
The Old Woodway Family Center has served Woodway and the surrounding communities as a recreational facility for more than 30 years. Built in 1960, the city acquired the property from the Woodway Boys Club in 2004, who operated it for decades before that! The WFC has been a mainstay for volleyball, basketball, movie nights, exercise classes, and several other activities. Over the many decades of operation, the building has had considerable maintenance and upkeep challenges, which required the city to consider its future.
The building is currently appraised by McLennan County at $702,100 and is insured for $1.2 million.
In 2019, before plans were approved for the new WFC, the council commissioned a third-party engineering firm to review the condition of the facility and produce an estimate for the repairs/updates needed to continue its use. When the costs came back (approximately $3,566,290 in 2019, including contingencies), the council decided not to invest any more in the old building and to construct a new facility. That full report can be viewed here:
2019 Woodway Family Center Condition Report
The opinion of the engineers also stated that the building is currently not ADA/TDLR compliant, with several accessibility issues needing correction. Life safety issues are present, particularly in restrooms and circulation paths.
Is the new family center really built over a sewer line?
No. The new sewer line in Woodway is not built under or immediately adjacent to the building. The foundation of the building is not cracked or in jeopardy. To read the engineer’s report and field density reports, you can click below:
What is the current status of the old family center?
As of April 2025, no official decision has been made regarding the old family center building. All activities have been relocated to the new WFC building.
Does the new Woodway Family Center provide senior activities?
Absolutely! Mayor Qourzal and the Woodway City Council (with the exception of 2 council members) voted to bring top-rate senior programming to the new family center. The programming schedule is packed with amazing activities and events, including pickleball, bingo, strength classes, social hours, and more! The new center is also equipped with 8 handicap accessible parking spaces and an awning for easy access to the building.
According to the Census Bureau, seniors (65 and older) make up 23.1% of the Woodway population.
What are the specs of the new Woodway Family Center?
The Woodway Family Center is a well-designed, multifunctional facility spanning 15,266 square feet. It features a welcoming lobby, an office space, and an event reception room that can be rented out. The center has two spacious 42' x 74' basketball courts, each equipped with scoreboards, which can be used for volleyball, pickleball, etc. It is the perfect venue for young families and seniors alike to enjoy the best recreation activities.
What is the story behind the TXDOT sidewalk grant?
The city of Woodway, in partnership with grant writers and the Waco MPO, won a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation Alternatives program for $1.4 million to construct a sidewalk around Woodway Elementary. It will also provide connections to businesses near Highway 84.
Woodway’s contribution is 20% of the $1.4 million ($262,058.40), with TxDot funding the rest. The city anticipates construction to begin in the Spring of 2026. The majority of the council, including Mayor Qourzal, voted in favor of this grant to provide excellent accessibility with the sidewalk, crosswalks, and safety measures. However, it was at one point almost lost forever. To read the history of the project, please click below:
TxDOT Sidewalk Project Full History
What was the timeline for the estates dr. bike/pedestrian lane project?
This project has been in development for over 20 years. Throughout this time, citizens have requested better connectivity on Estates Dr. from the City Council, and it has been a topic of discussion at various meetings dating back to 2004.
The latest conversation about adding the shared lanes began in 2022, and a full traffic study was conducted in November of that year. The report from that Traffic Study has been on the city’s website since it was completed:
Estates Drive Traffic Impact Study - 2022
The vote to approve the engineering group to move forward with a tangible plan for the entire project was unanimously approved at the November 13, 2023, city council meeting:
November 13, 2023 Council Meeting (minute 1:18 - 1:32)
In addition to the council's discussions, there were designated times for the public to comment, and feedback was encouraged throughout this two-year process. At the December 2023 meeting, there was a follow-up discussion regarding the potential termination of the agreement with the engineering group. However, the proposal to terminate the agreement was voted down with a 4-2 outcome, allowing the planning to proceed.
Finally, the engineering group presented the plans in an open meeting with public hearings, and the council discussed the lane dividers and the entire plan at the May 20, 2024 meeting, approving it in a 5-2 vote.
After several delays, the project began in September 2024 and concluded in January 2025. Before the lane re-striping, that section of Estates Drive was also resurfaced.
Full History of the Bike/Pedestrian Lane Project
why bike lanes instead of a continuous sidewalk up estates?
The goal of the project was to establish a dedicated and safe pathway along Estates Drive for walkers and bikers, separate from the main vehicle traffic lanes. With the TxDOT sidewalk project around the school, this pathway will create a continuous route from US 84 to Woodway Park by the lake for cyclists and pedestrians.
In 2013, the Sidewalk Committee voted against the installation of sidewalks along Estates due to the high cost of $540,000 and several challenges. These challenges included the need to relocate utilities, construct sidewalks in residents' front yards, regrade cross streets to meet the ADA cross slope requirement of 2%, regrade driveway crossings, address steep drop-offs that would require retaining walls, and navigate limitations related to the Right of Way.