April has been an exciting month for our community as there are many high-quality projects that have been announced.
On April 24, the much anticipated groundbreaking of Lakeside DFW was celebrated, which marks the beginning of construction on this historic project. The 150-acre development overlooks Grapevine Lake and will soon be transformed into a high-quality shopping, dining, office, and residential (mixed-use) destination all linked by parks and trails with a boardwalk by the lake and an observation tower.
The first phase of construction will include single-family homes and luxury apartments, two public plazas, and 50,000 square-feet of commercial space near the intersection of FM 2499 and Lakeside Parkway. At completion, the project will create hundreds of jobs and is anticipated to generate $16 million in additional tax revenue for the Town, Lewisville ISD, and Denton County. This tax revenue will help the Town fund new and enhanced services for residents such as parks, programs, and recreational events.
Other projects are also moving forward in the Lakeside Business District (east of Lakeside DFW). Universal Fixtures and Display has signed-on to occupy 150,000-square feet of the Lakeside Commerce Center Phase III project, which is currently under construction. Universal constructs retail displays for local, national, and several international clients and will move in during the third quarter of 2013. Exeter Property Group has begun construction on two additional buildings which will add $18 million to the Town’s tax base; the buildings will total 580,000 of additional square footage and are projected to bring 200 jobs to Flower Mound.
The Town will soon be able to announce yet another business relocating to the Lakeside Business District. The business is expected to construct a 200,000-square feet building, which will serve as the company’s new international corporate headquarters, showroom, and distribution center. This area is becoming even more desirable because of the Lakeside DFW amenities that will be nearby.
In more exciting news, the Town will soon have new dining opportunities. Houston-based upscale restaurant Black Walnut Café recently chose Flower Mound as its first North Texas location. The café will be approximately 6,000 square feet and located on Long Prairie Road, just north of the intersection of Firewheel Drive. I encourage you to visit www.blackwalnutcafe.com to see the restaurant’s unique breakfast, lunch, and dinner dining options. Although the restaurant will be constructed with high-end finishes, it will provide a casual atmosphere complete with catering and full bar menus.
Other new dining options include Raising Cane’s and Dunkin’ Donuts. The Raising Cane’s site, located just east of the Long Prairie Road intersection on FM 407, was recently razed and construction is underway. Dunkin’ Donuts is moving through the development process and, once approved, will be located at the southwest corner of Long Prairie and Flower Mound Roads.
For those who would like to pick up some groceries and a hot meal on the way home, construction on Market Street is coming along. The Flower Mound Market Street will have the largest fresh and organic food selection of all Market Street locations. Another unique feature of the Flower Mound site is the numerous trees. Town staff and developers worked together to save much of the wooded area on the land, something we can all appreciate. The store will encompass roughly 55,000 square feet and is scheduled to open in November.
As you may be aware, Market Street is part of the River Walk project. This signature project has been in the news lately, and for very good reasons. The project is now under the direction of Centurion American, which recently placed the property under contract. The River Walk project will give Flower Mound a “downtown” focused on quality restaurants, shopping, and entertainment opportunities. Additionally, Red Oak Gas has dropped its lawsuit against the Town regarding denial of gas drilling variances, which affected the River Walk property. This removes a huge obstacle and will allow the project to move forward.
In May, we will also celebrate the opening of Post Oak Park, located at the intersection of Flower Mound Road and Skillern Road. Flower Mound families will enjoy Post Oak Park’s pavilion, playground, hike and bike trails, and picnic tables. The significant green space will also include a boardwalk across a pond, a woodland observation deck, and 135 more trees than before the project began.
Another park that has been under construction is Heritage Park. It is ideal weather to enjoy our beautiful community-built Fort Wildflower playground and residents will be happy to learn a rubberized play surface has been installed, replacing the mulch. The funds for the new surface were partially provided by sponsorships from area businesses and will provide a clean, safe, and more durable surface for children. Fort Wildflower will re-open Saturday, May 11.
Finally, I want to encourage residents and local businesses to get involved with the recently-announced Lend-A-Hand program. In cooperation with the Town of Flower Mound, the non-profit organization Keep Flower Mound Beautiful (KFMB) has started the Lend-A-Hand Community Enhancement Initiative. This program helps Flower Mound homeowners who are unable to repair their homes due to age, illness, or loss of income. Lend-A-Hand will include at least one weekend event a year where KFMB volunteers address needed repairs such as painting, fence, siding, wood rot repairs and landscape maintenance.
On May 11, KFMB will assist homeowners on Pin Oak Drive and the organization is seeking residents and businesses willing to help out their fellow neighbors through volunteer and sponsorship opportunities. This innovative program’s success depends upon our community’s support and generosity and has already changed the lives of a few Flower Mound homeowners. For more information, please visit www.kfmb.org.
Steve Dixon
Flower Mound Town Council Place 4
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