Mayor Scott LeMay talked about the many positive things going on in Garland during his State of the City Address Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the Atrium.
He commended the extraordinary job done by first responders, Garland Power & Light and Environmental Waste Services employees and other city departments after the October 2019 tornado. He expressed gratitude for them as well as for nonprofits that helped, and for tireless community volunteers who spent hours helping clean up debris, cutting up fallen trees and more.
“The response to the tornado absolutely solidified what this community is about,” LeMay said.
The mayor also talked about Garland’s homelessness problem and what is currently being done. He added that steps are being taken to try to help the homeless population get back on their feet.
The $423.7 bond package will bring numerous enhancements and improvements to the city. A few of those include improvements to sports field lighting; improvements at recreation centers and senior centers; three fire station rebuilds; design and planning of infrastructure drainage projects; a new animal shelter; and new police evidence and property facility.
The parks master plan has been completed and officials are close to finishing the library master plan. Also in the works are master plans for aquatics and trails and bikeways.
A video was shown that highlighted some of the great things that happened in Garland in 2019. It highlighted many positives from last year including the accomplishments of the Economic Development Department. The video also told of media attention that was given to the city’s hat manufacturers and shared results of various city ranking surveys. Garland was high on the list in several categories. Those include:
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- Sixth happiest city in Texas
- 19th best in the United States to buy a family home
- Third in the United States best places to save money
- Ninth best city to live in Texas
- Sixth hardest-working city in the United States
- Seventh best place in Texas to find a job
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Economic Development efforts have brought additional manufacturing and logistics businesses as well as professional offices and entertainment venues like the new Strike + Reel, as well as the Revolving Kitchen for caterers, food truck operators to utilize.
There are also many new single-family and multifamily housing developments.
The Pavement Condition Index on city streets is improving. The rating is currently 77 % and it started in the upper 60s. PCI for alleyways has improved as well. There have been bridge updates, water and sewer improvements and traffic lights are being retimed and updated.
The new dog park that will be located at Central Park, although not part of the bond package, will be a popular amenity and should open within a few weeks.
A solution for one of the city’s biggest problems, illegal parking, has been rolled out. The City Marshall’s Office has begun a parking violation program. Currently, and for the next few weeks, they are writing warnings only. After that time, tickets will be written. They started writing warnings just before Christmas and have already issued 4,000.
LeMay ended by mentioning some of the great events hosted in Garland and reminded attendees that Garland has 63 parks, more than 2,500 acres of park land. There is also lakefront entertainment as well as exceptional hiking and biking trails.
After the presentation, the mayor recognized former Mayor Lori Dodson and Carissa Dutton for their extraordinary efforts in helping people whose homes were in the path of the tornado. From the coordination of meals for residents, city employees and volunteers to helping clean up and clear debris, they gave new meaning to the term “Garland Pride.”