Saturday, Nov. 16, was Build Garland Day No. 5 for the city, a chance to celebrate milestones related to projects in our 2019 bond program.
Mayor Scott LeMay and Assistant City Manager Crystal Owens presided over the four-stop event. The morning started with a groundbreaking for Surf & Swim, 342 W. Oates Road, with remarks from District 4 Council Member B.J. Williams. The remake of Surf & Swim is the second largest project in the Parks and Recreation portion of the 2019 bond program and is adjacent to the upgrades at Audubon Park Recreation Center that were celebrated in the very first Build Garland Day.
City of Garland officials, project partners and others then cut the ribbon on the Street Department Facility, 530 Tower St. District 2 Council Member Kris Beard and Streets Director Tony Irvin noted the features of the $6.5 million project.
Then it was over to Naaman School Road to put more shovels in the dirt. The project, a partnership with Dallas County, will add lanes to Naaman School Road and lift it out of the floodplain. District 8 Council Member Chris Ott talked about walkways and trail connections within the project. Dallas County Commissioner Theresa Daniel noted the importance of the infrastructure project as an answer to the widespread growth the neighborhood and the northern part of the county have experienced. While the project is years in the making already with design, right-of-way acquisition and utility work, all cautioned the work from just west of Spring Creek to State Highway 78 will require patience over the next 2 1/2 to 3 years.
Finally, the first of three new fire stations from the 2019 bond was celebrated with a traditional hose uncoupling ceremony (pictured). Fire Station 6, 6450 N. Bush Turnpike, replaces a 44-year-old station and delivers many amenities of safety and connectivity to the firefighters and community. District 1 Council Member Jeff Bass said Build Garland Day had truly saved its best for last. Fire Chief Mark Lee drew the bright signage seen by thousands who travel the turnpike daily into his remarks. “May the big red 6 that shines out front be a beacon to safe harbor,” Chief Lee said.
Information and photos provided by city of Garland.