The revitalization of the site of the old Garland Shopping Center has already been confirmed as a success for the city and the neighborhood and another victory was recently added.
The original 1950s Garland Shopping Center sign, which was left on the property as a condition of the development, is again lighting the area.
The neon sign with its bright red arrow is a familiar and welcome sight to long-time Garland residents as well as those who have seen the sign all their lives but are not old enough to have seen it shine.
The redevelopment of the corner of Miller Road and South Garland Avenue has brought life back to a corner that was a thriving shopping center in the 1950s, slowly transitioned to a group of abandoned and dilapidated structures, and then became an empty, weedy lot.
New businesses at the corner include a Walmart Neighborhood Market, Bank of America, Subway, Pizza Patron, a cell phone store, dentist office and nail shop. A Wendy’s Restaurant will soon be added.
Former District 5 Council Member John Willis, who is responsible for the sign restoration being part of the development project, hopes that this sign being saved and restored will lead to an ordinance protecting other historic landmark signs in Garland.