Mesquite's Long-range Planning Initiatives Exemplify "A City With New Vision"
MESQUITE, TX (January 01, 2009)— While cities across the country are struggling to find the funding required for basic city services, Mesquite, TX has developed a long-term vision for success, built on solid city management, strategic marketing and innovative partnerships designed to ensure the City remains vibrant and viable for years to come. As the cornerstone of this vision, Project Renewal was initiated in the fall of 2007 as a pro-active response to addressing several issues the City was facing as an inner-ring suburb in a large, metropolitan area and provides a blueprint for long-term growth and prosperity.
Recognizing the city was at a critical turning point, the City entered into a unique partnership with the Mesquite Independent School District and the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce. This partnership embarked on a results-driven program to find solutions that would enhance and improve the city’s future. By addressing issues that impact the City’s image, its appeal to new business prospects and the residents’ quality of life, Project Renewal was designed to align the community with success for generations to come.
Inner-ring suburbs across the country face similar issues as those experienced in Mesquite, stemming from metropolitan growth, aging infrastructures, the evolution of the resident demographic and usage of commercial and residential zones. Mesquite chose to take a proactive approach to solving these challenges and creating a solid foundation for future development.
According to Economic Development Manager, Tom Palmer, Project Renewal is well underway and promises to make Mesquite one of North-Texas’ premier communities. “When we created Project Renewal, we had our City’s future in mind. This program is designed to not only generate business now, but create a solid foundation for our city as we move forward.”
Accomplishments within the economic development arena began almost immediately. Since the inception of Project Renewal in September 2007, the City of Mesquite has realized more than $90 million in proposed new development and has made significant strides in improving infrastructure within area neighborhoods and roadways.
The Peachtree Towne Center, a mixed-use development project that spans 60 acres, is designed as a multi-use facility. The project will be built in four phases, and will eventually include a a pedestrian and traffic bridge, a full-service four-star hotel and conference center, a medical wellness facility, a multi-story office building, and a small mixed-use component that will include residential, retail and dining components. It has an expected completion date of Spring 2012. In the Fall of 2007, Mesquite revealed that major retail chain, Target, will be closing its existing store, and will be replacing it with a new SuperTarget store that’s scheduled to open in October 2009. This is one of the chain’s new store designs, and when completed, it will be one of the largest SuperTargets in the country.
Project Renewal also includes projects to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors through improving infrastructure. The IH-635 (LBJ Freeway) project is nearing completion, and will dramatically improve city access and better meet the need of the city’s growing number of commuters. This is just one of the three major transportation projects currently underway. And, in four selected neighborhoods, enhanced streetscapes, additional sidewalks and upgraded lighting will boost safety and livability.
“The City has worked tirelessly to bring these development projects to fruition,” says the Honorable John Monaco, Mayor of the City of Mesquite. “It’s important to remember that Project Renewal is a long-term plan. As it evolves, it will provide noticeable changes for the better – changes that will improve both the quality of life for our residents, and for our city’s image and positioning in the marketplace.”
