Grapevine continues to maintain uniqueness

Mayor William D. Tate, elected to the City Council in 1972, enjoys talking about his beloved “unique” hometown.

Among issues Tate said the city of Grapevine has on the front burner include reaching buildout, redevelopment of areas that lost access because of recent highway improvements, design of a new train station and traffic.

“The city is quickly reaching buildout of undeveloped land,” Tate said. “When this happens it will be for the city like an individual retiring. Therefore, it is important to encourage the type of new businesses that will strengthen our sales and property tax base so we can maintain a high level of city services and a low tax rate for the future.”

Tate said that most of the land that has not been developed has challenges that limit or restrict the desirability for development.

“We are studying through a consultant why this land has not already developed and what we can do to help it develop in the most desirable use,” the mayor said. “During this process, we will need to modify our future land use map and perhaps update some zoning ordinances to help these properties overcome their development limitations. This does not mean that we will change the goals and direction of the city. It is just a smart thing to do.”

Tate, who was elected to the council in June 1972 and was elected mayor in June 1973, said city leaders are also having to prepare for redevelopment of several areas as the result of the loss of access to the city by the recent highway improvements, and to prepare for the impact on the community of the arrival of the community trains in 2018.

The mayor addressed TEX Rail, a proposed commuter rail line that could begin service in Grapevine as soon as late 2018. TEX Rail is a planned 27-mile passenger rail service stretching from downtown Fort Worth to Terminal B at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. It would have up to 10 stations, including one at Grapevine’s Main Street.

Grapevine’s plans include building a TEX Rail station — or depot, as city officials prefer to call it — at the northeast corner of South Main Street and Dallas Road. The new depot would be adjacent to the city’s historical 1888 depot, a tiny yellow wooden building that serves as a boarding point for passengers on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad excursion trains.

Tate addressed goals for the city in 2016.

“The goal is to attract more family entertainment, upscale retail and hospitality, while creating more jobs for our citizens within existing and well established community goals and standards,” Tate said. “We want to maintain the redevelopment in the residential historic district and maintain the balance between retail and food and beverage stores on our historic Main Street.”

Another is the completion of the construction of the Public Safety Building, and the resulting modernizing of the services of the fire and police departments. He said the process will include the review, remodeling and perhaps relocation of some fire stations to meet current public safety needs.

The project stems from a Nov. 6, 2012 general obligation bond issue for the proposed sale of almost $70 million in bonds for two projects — construction of a 108,000-square-foot public safety building that is underway and an expanded multi-generational community recreation center that opened this spring under the name The REC of Grapevine.

“It will also be a year of trying to collect from insurance and federal grants to cover the damages from last year’s floods and repairing our facilities in our parks,” Tate said of the multimillion dollar damages. “We will also be looking at the feasibility of raising the level of several roadways to prevent them from having to be closed in future high water situations.”

On the drawing board is the hope to complete the design of a new train station and possibly include a small boutique hotel.

“Better traffic controls would improve the enjoyment of our residents who get tired of being stopped at every intersection,” the mayor said. “We have made some improvement, but it is a complicated issue because of the change of traffic patterns during the day and because of our turn lanes at intersections. New and better technology will help fix the problem but it will not be cheap.”

Another goal is to create more jobs at home so people can work in the community and not have to be involved in the long commutes “every weekday of their lives.”

On his wish list is more activities to involve the city’s youth “to get them away from the computer screen and cellphones, to give them a broader perspective on life and teach them the importance of getting involved in community programs and being productive in life.”

Looking back at 2015 was “ very good year in some respects,” Tate said. “We had a great Christmas season and near record crowds at our festivals.”

He spoke of how Grapevine Mills mall started their extensive restoration and modernization of their facilities and the opening of many new businesses and anchor stores.

Another milestone was Kubota breaking ground on its North American headquarters with the anticipation of creating 400-500 new jobs.

“We have been in negotiation with several new businesses on the property that the city owns,” Tate said. “We closed on a tract of land that the city received from the State Highway Department to Perry’s Steak House for an upscale new restaurant, which we expect to be one of our top producers.”

Another high point was the opening of The REC of Grapevine, with more than 18,000 members “who are enjoying the opportunities offered there, including year-round swimming,” Tate said.

“It also represents the new facilities for our senior citizen center,” he said. “The comments have been wonderful to hear.”

It also represents the new facilities for our senior citizen center,” he said. “The comments have been wonderful to hear.”

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Asked that makes Grapevine unique, Tate said, “I always say the people are what makes us unique and special. We have citizens who have moved here from every state in the union and many foreign countries. They represent various races and national origins and participate in various crafts, trades and professions.

“They volunteer their time and talents to help make Grapevine a better place. They live together in various neighborhoods as friends and in peace with one another.”

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Grapevine continues to maintain uniqueness."