As this is my first letter to the community as a Councilmember, I would first like to thank you for your support in the May election. Throughout my over ten years of community involvement and time serving on various Town boards and commissions, I have been passionate about Flower Mound and its future. I look forward to ensuring Flower Mound remains one of the best communities in the nation throughout my term.
One of the many reasons why I’m excited to serve on our Council is the opportunity to be an active participant during an important time for our Town. Last month, the Council called a Special Election for November 5 to let residents decide whether or not they would like to approve the creation of the River Walk Public Improvement District (PID). The River Walk at Central Park is a 158-acre mixed-use development that integrates commercial, office, retail and dining, medical, civic, and residential. The River Walk is located north of FM 1171, west of Morriss Road and east of FM 2499.
Used as an economic development tool, PIDs offer cities and counties a means for improving infrastructure to promote economic growth in a specific area. With work already in progress on the river element of the project, it is important for the community to let their voices be heard at the polls. Although the PID would be managed by the Town (with the help of a consultant), the Town would not be liable for the debt or have its credit rating affected. Rather, the PID would levy assessments only within the development’s boundaries, and the funds collected would be used for public improvements directly for the River Walk. Project developer Centurion American believes the creation of the River Walk PID would significantly improve the project by adding quality, commercial enhancements and reducing the amount of multi-family housing. For more information about the River Walk project and the PID, please visit www.flower-mound.com/riverwalkpid.
Another exciting initiative also began in August. The Council is moving forward with the process of reviewing the land use portion of the Master Plan, with specific focus on the Denton Creek District, Cross Timbers Conservation Development District, Lakeside Business District, and the FM 2499 commercial corridor between FM 1171 and FM 407. For the first time, we will use a community engagement method to provide a framework for early public involvement, and to promote diverse participation and active engagement.
During upcoming community meetings (Sept. 19 and 21), the Town will conduct audience polling to gauge knowledge and guide discussion of specific focus areas. Polling will also be used to measure opinions on a variety of issues. Those without smart devices will be able to participate in an online survey following the meetings. There are many ways to get involved and I encourage you to visit the Town’s informative website at www.flower-mound.com/ourmasterplan and if you have a Facebook account, to “like” the project page at www.facebook.com/ourmasterplan2013. We want to hear from you!
We would also like to hear your opinions on which restaurants and retailers you would like the Town to pursue in the 2013 Restaurant and Retail Survey. Through September 13, they survey is available online at www.flower-mound.com/survey. By participating in the 2013 Restaurant and Retail Survey, the Town is able to collect data to be used in the recruitment of the top 50 ranked businesses in each category. I cannot emphasize enough how important this is, as we are experiencing a time of growth in Flower Mound and are attracting businesses from around the country. Additionally, when residents shop and dine locally, their tax dollars stay in the community and are allocated directly to the things that Flower Mound needs such as quality parks, emergency services, and road improvements. Recently, the Town received word of four new restaurants opening in Flower Mound: Dairy Queen (the 25th-most requested restaurant on the last Retail and Restaurant Survey) will be opening this fall at the former Burger King location, 1909 Justin Road; Firehouse Subs recently opened in the Highlands Ranch shopping center, located at the southeast corner of FM 2499 and FM 407; Smashburger and Jersey Mike’s (the second Flower Mound location) have plans to open in the Highlands Plaza shopping center near the future Academy Sports+Outdoors (an opening date has not been determined).
As we move forward with these and other exciting programs and projects, I look forward to gaining additional experience alongside my fellow Councilmembers. I’d love to hear from you about your ideas on how to make Flower Mound the best community it can be. My email address is [email protected].
Mike Walker serves on the Flower Mound Town Council in Place 1
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