Lyles/Tinsley house relocation – City staff’s goal is to have the Lyles/Tinsley house in its permanent location by April 11 for the Heritage Celebration. There will probably not be time for the house to be resting on its foundation by this date, but it will be at the desired location.
After getting no responses to a request for proposal, staff is requesting City Council to approve adding the project to the contract of Hill & Wilkinson who is doing other redevelopment work in downtown Garland.
Eastern Hills Country Club redevelopment – Residents in the Eastern Hills Country Club area have been concerned about the development of the now closed country club property. The city has contracted a consultant, Kimley-Horn & Associates, to do a community engagement plan study on the property. A schedule has been prepared that allows six months to complete the project. There will be an advisory committee consisting of area homeowners, the property owner, city staff and the potential developer.
Council Member Stephen Stanley said that he appreciates the staff’s time and effort.
“We only have one chance to get this right,” he said.
DART update – Gary Thomas, DART’s president and CEO, reported that Garland has received 12 new bus shelters and that four of them are replacements for existing shelters. The last two new ones are at Firewheel. Garland has 917 bus stops and 25 of them have shelters.
Thomas also talked about DART’s 2040 plan. Phase one will include a comprehensive operations analysis, a detailed review of bus services.
DART is one of four transit agencies in the country to sign a pledge with Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking. Appro
ximately 1,600 DART employees have been trained on human trafficking, what to look for and what to say when they see something that looks unusual. DART has also kicked off a public awareness campaign.
Potential redevelopment at Avenue B Bank of America building – Woodard Development has approached the city about redevelopment of the old Bank of America site on Avenue B. Jean Brown of Green Extreme Homes, which is a housing nonprofit with a focus on veterans and seniors, addressed the mayor and City Council asking them to issue a resolution of support for a 9 percent tax credit application that they have submitted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for an adaptive reuse of the Bank of America building.
They feel that they will win this award with the city’s support.
Their plan is to develop a mixed-income artist’s loft community with 120 units including efficiencies along with one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Brown said that at first 70 percent of the units will be designated “affordable,” which is defined as 60 percent of the median income which translates to an annual income of about $45,000 and the remaining 30 percent will be available at market rate. The affordable units will be set aside for veterans.
Later, when all the units are built, the percentage will flip to 70 percent market rate and 30 percent affordable.
Brown also said that the development will include amenities such as on-site management, pool, gym, spa, club house and concierge services and that it will also be a good fit for seniors on fixed incomes.
City employees recognized at Chamber of Commerce banquet
City of Garland | February 15, 2015
On Jan. 29, the Garland Chamber of Commerce recognized City Manager Bill Dollar with its highest award – the Tall Texan Award.
This award honors individuals who have given back to the community in a meaningful way. It exemplifies the spirit of its founder, Austin Stanton, who gave much to Garland. Stanton was the founder of Varo Inc. and donated the land for Garland Memorial Hospital, which is now Baylor Medical Center at Garland.
Bill Dollar was presented the Tall Texan during the Chamber’s Annual Emerald Tie Banquet by former Garland Mayor Jamie Ratliff.
“City managers have different motivations for doing the job,” said Mayor Ratliff. “Some do it to build a resume and as a stepping stone for future jobs. Some do it for ego and power. And some, like tonight’s Tall Texan, do it because they are part of the community. They want to contribute to Garland being a better place to live and work. They love Garland.”
Also during the banquet, Richland College Corporate Services presented its Community Partnership Award to the city of Garland in recognition of the training provided to its employees during 2014 and the impact it has had within the organization.
The city and Richland College partnered to develop S.E.R.V.E., a customer service excellence program designed for various City departments with employees who interact with the public. To date, more than 600 city employees have completed the S.E.R.V.E. training, which also includes a follow-up coaching program for managers.
On behalf of the city, Laura Lozier, Training & Development coordinator, and Susan Fair, Workforce Engagement & Development administrator, received the award. The award will reside with Laura for her excellent work and dedication to managing COGU operations and marketing.