In any field of endeavor it takes leaders to make something happen. Whether that leadership comes from the political arena, from the field of athletics, or from the business sector, it provides a proactive direction that’s necessary if we are to move forward toward to a prosperous future.
Many new and exciting developments have been introduced to the Flower Mound community in the past few years. One of them, the Lakeside DFW community of businesses, residences and entertainment attractions has been a magnet for area residents who want to shop, dine, watch a movie, or avail themselves of the other amenities available in that emerging sweet spot just a few minutes from DFW Airport.
In order to give the residents of Flower Mound and its environs more information on this work of art in progress, I invited Richard Myers, Founder of Realty Capital and Jimmie Archie, its Managing Director, to answer some questions in a video interview, which accompanies this article. The following is from their web page – www.lakesidedfw.com.
“Beginning in 2014, residents of Lakeside started shaping a new kind of Flower Mound community, one where the aspiring can live near the retiring, young singles share the trail with boomer couples and wannabes sip coffee next to been-there-done-thats. They live on 60′ lots and 30′ lots, in lofts above retail, apartments, and, perhaps soon, in mid-rise condominiums. Living in Lakeside means trading the privacy, singularity and tranquility of subdivisions, for the openness, diversity and energy of community. And Lakeside’s residents hold the keys to unlock the community’s promise.
“As a series of stories from the Project for Public Spaces suggests, vibrancy not only requires people, it is defined by how people interact. Every neighborhood, every plaza, square, park, waterfront, market, and street can be vibrant if people feel like they can contribute to shaping their places. ‘Vibrancy is people,’ continues the story, ‘it cannot be built or installed.’ Instead, it must be ‘inspired and cultivated.’ When people feel encouraged to participate in shaping the life of a space, it creates the kind of open atmosphere that attracts more and more people. In their inclusiveness, our greatest places mirror the dynamics of a truly democratic society.
“In the introduction to the Guide to Neighborhood Placemaking in Chicago (written for the Metropolitan Planning Council), the organization declared, ‘placemaking allows communities to see how their insight and knowledge fits into the broader process of making change. It allows them to become proactive vs. reactive, and positive vs. negative.’ Simply put, placemaking allows regular people to make extraordinary improvements, big or small, in their communities. The people of Flower Mound played a key role in making Lakeside DFW possible. It appears that Lakeside’s residents will play a major role in shaping its success.”
Bob Weir is a long-time Flower Mound resident and former local newspaper editor.
 GIF.gif)
