Update on CIP Boards & Summer-fun Bond projects and Commissions activities right here refinancing! Volunteer Fair in your hometown! PAGE 6 PAGE 9 PAGE 16-26 WHAT’S INSIDE: WHAT’S a monthly newsletter for the Rowlett community On the Move ISSUE NO. 1507 Abundant Rain Washes Debris Downstream JULY, 2015 Trash Clean-up in Lake Ray Hubbard Rowlett city leaders meet with City of Dallas Rain-delayed construction now representatives to address the issue and discuss back underway! developing a plan to help avoid a recurrance going AN UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT forward. Our region has benefited from the unprecedented rainfall this Trash washing downstream in Rowlett Creek, among other overflowing spring, which resulted in full lakes across north Texas and the creeks, lakes and ponds, from communities to the north of us, such as end of water restrictions. However, that abundant and much- Garland, Plano, Allen, needed rain also resulted in a delay of the construction of Frisco and McKinney, some of the exciting development projects here in the City of has resulted in an Rowlett. Good news, the rains have slowed down, summer is unsightly mess along upon us and we are now beginning to see those projects get the Rowlett shores of back underway! Lake Ray Hubbard. This is particularly visible Commercial development, such as Dairy Queen, the Lakeview from the Rowlett Road Medical complex and, of course, Sprouts have really ramped up. bridge, as drivers pass Construction sitework is also beginning for the new Quik Trip on over, either going in the corner of the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT), which to or out of Garland. includes the construction of a designated right turn lane onto the This trash is in the lake, access road. and therefore the City of Dallas’ jurisdiction, Exciting residential and mixed-use developments are also getting back but the issue is truly a underway. The Chamber of Commerce building was moved and the regional problem. An Library is all moved in, open and now enjoying their new home at effort is underway by 5702 Rowlett Road. These location changes were necessitated by the Rowlett and Dallas Village of Rowlett downtown development, which will break ground to work on a long- this fall. Look for progress soon on Terra Lago, Beacon Harbor and term plan, engaging the Homestead at Liberty Grove as well! continued on page 5 continued on page 2 This catalytic transit-oriented development, “Village of Rowlett dog park, yoga lawn, bocce ball court, breaking ground this fall, will change the THIS DEVELOPMENT CULMINATES A pocket green courts, and urban streetscapes face of Downtown Rowlett! The Village of all in an effort to deliver an urban resort- VISION CREATED FOR DOWNTOWN BY Rowlett is a $30 million project that will like experience exclusive to Rowlett. ROWLETT CITIZENS 30 YEARS IN THE introduce a range of building types and Part of the planning effort has included MAKING! VILLAGE OF ROWLETT WILL uses within a unique village environment a strategy to move the Chamber of marked by modern housing concepts, local OPEN THE DOOR TO ADDITIONAL PRIVATE Commerce and temporarily relocate the retail and commercial destinations, high INVESTMENT BY CARRYING FORWARD Library during the construction process, quality pedestrian amenities, memorable THE CITY’S NEW URBAN ENERGY TO both of which were accomplished in May. open spaces and a unique vibe all our own. DOWNTOWN’S EDGES AT HIGHWAY 66 AND The Library will remain a key component THE PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE. of Downtown and, when the project is The project has been planned to highlight completed, will be located on the ground existing trees and offer a range of green MAYOR TODD GOTTEL floor of the most prominent building along amenities including a community garden, ” Main Street. THE ROWLETT LIBRARY THE ROWLETT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS NOW OPEN AT 5702 BUILDING HAS BEEN RELOCATED TO THEIR ROWLETT ROAD, WHICH PERMANENT NEW LOCATION ON THE CORNER WILL BE HOME FOR THE OF CENTENNIAL AND MAIN STREET. NEXT 18-24 MONTHS WHILE THE VILLAGE OF ROWLETT IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION continued from page 2 Homestead at Liberty Grove One of the key principles that came out of the Realize Rowlett 2020 maintain their large homes and yards anymore, young professionals visioning effort was the need for diverse housing options in order to just out of college and young couples not yet ready for the bigger make Rowlett a community that is attractive to people at all stages of home! The Homestead at Liberty Grove will offer those options, their life. We have the market cornered on single family homes, what helping to diversify the City’s tax base by providing the population we now need, for example, is housing for seniors who don’t want to and demographics needed to attract commercial businesses. Located on Liberty Grove Road near Princeton Road, The Homestead at Liberty Grove is a $200 million, multi-phased housing development project covering approximately 195.5 acres with 620 lots. The homes will also offer amenities like front and wrap around porches, bay windows, balconies, stoops and garden rooms, all designed to encourage social interactions and enhance the feeling of community within the neighborhood. All homes will either be on a park, across the street from a park or within a three- minute stroll down a narrow, tree-lined street from a park! The project will be completed over the next 8-10 years and, upon build out, will generate an excess of $1,500,000 in annual property tax revenue to the City. Progress Report: Water, sewer and stormwater lines are 100% installed and subgrade preparation is underway. Progress Report: Terra Lago will break ground this summer. Pre-construction site activity has begun, grading will begin soon. Terra Lago Located on Lake Ray Hubbard next to Scenic Point Park, Terra Lago will be a 447 unit very high-end mixed residential complex consisting of two four-and-five story buildings with an entrance into the park. This community will serve as a wonderful alternative to a “single family home” for the many employees of Lake Pointe Medical Center, the City’s largest employer. The developer of Terra Lago has been very mindful of the adjacency to Scenic Point Park and adjoining neighborhoods and has worked to incorporate significant design elements such as open space, sidewalks, street trees Scenic Point Park and lighting to further enhance the public experience and interaction with the natural beauty of the site. continued from page 3 Sprouts Farmers Market Sprouts Farmers Market operates 175 The store, along with the adjoining stores in ten states and has become one 7,500 square feet of additional retail of the largest specialty retailers of natural development, will create 75-80 new and organic food in the United States, jobs and generate property tax and sales generating revenue in excess of $1 tax revenue of approximately $62,500 billion annually. Offering a different kind annually to the City! of shopping experience, fresh produce and grains are available from field bins, barrels and wooden crates. There’s low Progress Report: The shelving so the whole store is visible building is going up from the moment shoppers enter, with and Sprouts anticipates spacious aisles and bright, natural light opening later this year! that evokes the feel of an indoor farmers market. Also Coming Soon... Dairy Queen - located just west Lakeview Medical Offices - located of PGBT on Lakeview Parkway just east of Chaha and Lakeview (next to Applebee’s), anticipates Parkway. Grading is complete and opening this summer! pads are being poured. Quik Trip - located on the corner of PGBT and Lakeview Parkway. This project includes a designated right turn lane from Lakeview Parkway onto the access road! Bullitt Multi-sport Complex - located at the corner of Liberty Grove and Princeton, construction is set to begin this summer. Take a drive up and down Lakeview Parkway to see all the new construction! continued from page 1 Lake Trash Clean-up with the other cities around the lake Rowlett Once Again Named and upstream on a regional level to control the trash before it is washed a Playful City USA! into Lake Ray Hubbard. This is still 241 cities and towns, including Rowlett, earned in the very early stages and may take several months. recognition from national non-profit KaBOOM! as 2015 Playful City USA communities for their efforts The good news is that Rowlett has to increase play opportunities met with the City of Dallas to work out an abatement plan for this debris. In July, Dallas will contract with a According to the American Academy of the play deficit. Playful City USA communities are lake clean-up company to remove the Pediatrics, play is critical to healthy brain making a commitment to play and physical activity worst part of the floating trash on the development. It allows children to use their by developing unique local action plans to increase creativity while simultaneously developing the quantity and quality of play in their community. imagination, dexterity and Cities like Rowlett are key allies physical, cognitive and emotional in the fight to combat the play At the end of the day, strength. Yet today’s children deficit and serve as outstanding role models for government and the issue of trash in spend less time playing outside than any previous generation community leaders across the “the lake is not just a in part because only 1-in-5 live country. Rowlett issue or a City within walking distance of a park or playground. The resulting Along with developing concepts of Dallas issue. It is play deficit is having profound and programs in an effort truly a regional problem consequences for kids physically, socially and to increase play opportunities for children, academically.