Mayor Scott LeMay presented a virtual State of the City Address Tuesday, Feb. 9. He began by acknowledging the COVID-19 pandemic and the extraordinary changes it caused in 2020 and continues to cause this year.
Several master plans that will enhance Garland citizens’ quality of life have been developed which include plans for biking and hiking trails, improvements in parks and recreation system, cultural arts enhancements, library improvements and more.
The mayor shared an impressive list of projects that were finished in 2020 and many new ones that are ongoing. Some are the result of the $423.7 million bond project that was approved by Garland voters.
Some of those are:
- Groundbreaking on new Walnut Creek Branch library, new fire station, police property and evidence building, Bob Hall Park, Rick Oden skatepark.
- Groundbreaking on the long-awaited animal shelter.
- Dog park opened.
- Citywide street light replacement.
- Lighting improvements at Winters Park.
- Water utility updates and meter upgrades.
- Sensory-friendly, inclusive playground at Central Park.
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center opened and will continue to offer more and more services.
- Various street improvement projects have been completed.
- Overhaul of South Shiloh Road is underway.
- 635 East project is underway.
- Neighborhood streets and alley projects have begun.
- The Viet Nam Memorial Wall came to Garland and thousands from Garland and other cities visited.
- The city successfully converted to a virtual format to host some great events including concerts and Christmas on the Square.
- Because of financial constraints caused by the pandemic, many residents received utility assistance and help with rent and mortgages.
- Continued to provide senior citizen meals.
- Health Department continues to meet the challenges of the pandemic with information distribution, testing and a drive-through vaccine event that is getting great feedback.
Garland Foodies website founders Julian Olalde and Jason Collard received the Garland Make Your Mark Award.
LeMay said that they had played a big role in helping promote local restaurants and helping keep some of them open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The “Garland Goodness” in many of our citizens has shown through in numerous stories of people helping one another during this challenging time.
A website has been set up so that the progress on bond projects can be tracked. Visit www.buildgarland.com.