Strong commercial and residential growth in the area was the featured topic at last week’s annual Sachse Chamber of Commerce mayoral luncheon.

 

Over 100 chamber members, dignitaries and guests attended the luncheon featuring Rowlett Mayor John Harper, Garland Mayor Ron Jones, Wylie Mayor Eric Hogue, Murphy Mayor pro tem John Daugherty and Sachse Mayor Mike Felix 

The luncheon was sponsored by Verizon Communications Inc.

 

“This is one of our most popular lunches,” Sachse Chamber Board Chairman Linda Gerstner said. “Each mayor or mayor pro tem gave a very interesting presentation regarding new and exciting developments in their cities.”

 

The mayor’s luncheon was devised to promote communication and good will between Sachse and its neighboring communities.

 

“The feedback we received from all who attended was tremendous,”  Chamber Board Director Stephen Stanley said.

 

Mayor Mike Felix thanked the chamber for the opportunity to speak. He gave an update regarding various city projects.

“TxDOT’s widening project along Hwy. 78 has made a huge difference in easing the flow through Sachse,” he said. “The additional lanes are doing the trick to help move the traffic from Garland into Wylie and beyond to the north.”

 

Felix said construction was under way for the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension.  

 

“Because of this project there will be major economic opportunities for Sachse,” he said. “A new economic development director, Carlos Vigil, was recently hired and several Sachse bond projects are simultaneously under way.”

 

Felix referred to the Dewitt Road, Fifth Street and Bunker Hill Road projects.

 

“All of these projects are designed  to improve mobility throughout the city,” he said. “Salmon Park is receiving a major overhaul with new ball fields and upgraded lighting, fencing, a concession stand. There will also  be improvements to the restrooms and parking.”

 

Felix said the crowning glory of all those projects will be the construction of the new municipal complex.

 

“We will be combining our police department, fire administration and Station #1, and the emergency operations center into a centralized public safety building,” he said. “The library has already been given quite a nice facelift. A new roof will complete that project sometime this month. The beautiful new city hall should be ready for occupancy this fall.” 

 

 

The senior center will be vacating its small building and moving into the old police department building. In its place will be the new amphitheater. 

 

“We’re very excited about all the changes and improvements in Sachse,” he said. “An open house is being planned for shortly after the move is completed, and we want to invite all our friends and neighbors to visit us in our new home.”  

 

Mayor Eric Hogue said this past year has been an exciting time in Wylie. It was the year the city put “talk into action.”

 

“The new city hall is under construction, a third fire station is open and the new recreation facility, library and FM 1378 are under construction,” he said. “Last November we turned 122 years old. Quiet zones have been installed at 12 of the city intersections so train whistles are a thing of the past.”

 

Hogue said 122 years ago, 42 people voted to incorporate and make Wylie a town. 

 

“Today the city boasts a population of 42,000 with over 19,000 registered voters,” he said. “The city has been named as number eight of the top nine most notable high-growth areas in the U.S. by the Gadberry Group.”

 

Hogue said he was pleased to report that Wylie sales tax receipts increased by 3.6 percent.

 

“Last July a SuperTarget opened  in the new Woodbridge Crossing Shopping Center,” he said. “Other businesses openings include ViewPoint Bank, MooYah Burgers, Which ‘Wich and the Grand China Buffet. Kohls department store will open next March.”

 

Hogue said the city is striving to keep up with the demands of a 170 -percent population growth, maintaining a high quality of life by providing better access to schools while promoting economic development within the city.

 

“Wylie is investing in more than 21 miles of new and reconstructed roadways amounting to over $50 million in road improvements,” he said. “In October, Wylie Fire, Rescue celebrated their 100th birthday. In 2009 the crime rate in Wylie dropped more than 4 percent.”

 

Hogue said this past year the city completed renovations of Olde City Park to include a new parking lot, restrooms, sidewalks, landscaping, benches and tables.

 

“We are currently making improvements to Founders Park and will start improvements to Community Park,” he said. “We celebrated the dedication of the veterans memorial in Olde City Park and held an arts festival which featured over 60 vendors and entertainment.”

 

Hogue said Wylie is planning for the future by putting standards in place that will assist in the preservation of downtown.

 

“Wylie has made tremendous progress over the last year,” he said. “Action and urgency will continue to be our attitude as we grow forward.”

 

Mayor pro tem John Daugherty said he appreciated the opportunity to speak the Sachse Chamber members and guests.

Daugherty said the Old City Hall will become a community center.

 

The community center is a $2.5 million project supported by the resident of Murphy in the 2008 bond election.

 

“The project ranked first with Texas Parks and Wildlife,” he said. “A matching indoor grant of $750,000 was recently awarded to the city. The remodel is anticipated to begin in the fall with about 18 months to completion.”

 

Daugherty said the city of Murphy was also awarded a  Texas Parks and Wildlife $500,000 matching outdoor grant for a project around the municipal complex.

 

The project will include a large community spray ground with shade structures, a small playground, phase 1 of an amphitheater, two irrigated lacrosse/soccer fields. a pavilion, picnic tables, a nature trail, concrete trail connections, a pedestrian bridge with trail connections to Murphy Marketplace.

 

“The old Murphy School Community project will include renovations of the existing building, gymnasium, stage, lobby, meeting rooms and an office. Additions will include a new kitchen, restrooms, multipurpose recreation rooms, landscaping and parking,” he said.

 

Murphy Maize Days celebration will be Sept. 25.

 

“Murphy Maize Days 2010 kicks off with Murphy’s A’Maize-ing 5K/Fun Run in the morning,” he said. “We believe the combination of the popular live bands, exciting family-friendly activities, and the best fireworks show in the county could very well triple the attendance.”

 

New Murphy businesses include Firehouse Subs, Trio Bistro and Country Burger.

 

Opening soon are Sunny Street Cafe, Yogurtville and Compound Pharmacy.

 

“A street rehabilitation program is anticipated to begin shortly along with the expansion of McCreary Road from McMillan Road to the Parker city limits,” he said. “Public safety projects include the new neighbors-to-neighbors, volunteers in policing, citizens on patrol and the new Youth Citizens Police Academy.”

 

Mayor Ron Jones gave a status report regarding the Garland Fifth Street project.

 

The project is located across the street from the Walnut DART station. It is a mixed-use transit-oriented development featuring 189 apartments and 175,000 square feet of combined retail, restaurant and office space.

 

Jones said the revitalization project should help Garland’s image and should complement the successful Patty Granville Arts Center.

 

“I am pleased to say that the new Garland Fifth Street project is about 65 percent filled,” he said. “I think that is a pretty good occupancy rate considering the downturn in the economy and all.”

 

Jones stressed that what is good for Garland is good for the region and all the cities of North Texas.

 

“The first In-N-Out Burger restaurant just opened in Garland and is causing quite a bit of media attention,” he said. “Garland can always use another first-rate restaurant.”

 

Jones said all the area mayors work in tandem to promote the region so businesses and families will locate here.

 

“I am pleased to say that I am serving on the Superbowl Host Committee with Sachse Mayor Mike Felix and Rowlett Mayor John Harper,” he said. “The National Football League looked at the Garland ISD Special Events Center. They liked the venue but didn’t choose it because no alcohol can be served on the premises. I was very encouraged that it was actually considered.”

 

Jones said DART is on the way through the area. 

 

“When AT&T moved its offices to Dallas they contacted representatives from Garland, Sachse, Wylie, Rowlett and Murphy,” he said. “They were looking for nice homes  in the area for their employees to move into.”

 

Jones said he was pleased that the Hwy. 78 widening project was almost complete through Sachse.

 

“We are very fortunate to be live in this part of North Texas,” he said. “Our cities are working together  to grow together.”

 

Mayor John Harper said he also is pleased that all the neighboring cities are working together.

 

“I am pleased to report that Rowlett has just been named to the list of the top 25 small cities to live in the US by “CNN Money Magazine,’” he said. “We are very proud of that honor.”

 

Harper said he was also happy to report that construction was well under way for the  President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension. 

 

The extension is a 9.9-mile segment from Hwy. 78 in Garland, east to Interstate 30. The six-lane toll road will pass through Garland, Sachse and Rowlett and will include a one-mile bridge over Dallas’ Lake Ray Hubbard. Completion is scheduled for late 2011.

 

“DART is coming to Rowlett,” Harper said. “The blue line that terminates in Garland will soon continue about 4.5 miles to Rowlett,” he said. “That area will feature a mixed-use transit-oriented development. We are involved in a partnership to develop a 100-acres of waterfront property that will have a taxable base value of $500 million when completed.”

 

Harper said the 190 extension will open up 1,000-acre development called the North Shore Commercial District. That district will be located just south of Sachse.

 

“We are also working on updating a new Master Plan,” he said. “There is so much activity going on around  here. This spot of north Texas is considered by many as the hot spot. We all take great pride in out communities.”

 

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