Farmers Branch Four Corners nets DBJ "Impact" Award 

The March, 2010 Demolition Event at the Four Corners officially set the revitalization process in motion.

DALLAS ~ Citing their progressive vision in sparking the complete transformation of a stagnant retail area, the Farmers Branch City Council Thursday was recognized for the Four Corners revitalization project with the Dallas Business Journal Best Real Estate Deals, "Neighborhood Impact Deal of the Year" award.

The award is for the purchase, razing and forthcoming redevelopment of most of the southeast corner of the Four Corners shopping area at the intersection of Josey and Valley View Lanes. A demolition ceremony in early 2010 signaled the rebirth of the area that now anticipates a Neighborhood Market by Walmart grocery store to begin construction this spring.

Farmers Branch Economic Development Director John Land credited Mayor Tim O'Hare and members of the City Council for their leadership and courage in taking the important steps that acted as a catalyst for development. "This would not have been possible without the clear consensus  of the Council and the aggressive stance they've taken on redevelopment of this area that is so critical to our City," he said. Land also credited Farmers Branch Finance Director Charles Cox with taking the initiative to leverage the dangerous structures provision of state law that enabled the purchase of the southeast corner buildings.

In other DBJ awards, Farmers Branch was recognized, along with Carrollton and Dallas, as the host communities for DART's Green Line, cited as "Community Impact Deal of the Year" and overall "Deal of the Year."

Additionally, the relocation of Weir's Furniture Village retail outlet, corporate headquarters and distribution center to Farmers Branch was named as a finalist in the "Creative Deal of the Year category." Likewise, the pending addition of a $20 million, 150,000 square-foot research and development facility to Maxim Integrated Products' Farmers Branch campus was a finalist in the "New Development Deal of the Year" category.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Citing his extensive qualifications in fire administration, emergency management and his 10 years of service with the Farmers Branch Fire Department, City Manager Gary D. Greer has named Steve Parker to be the fourth Fire Chief in Farmers Branch history.

"We undertook a vigorous process to find a new Fire Chief, looking at both internal and external candidates," Mr. Greer explained. "Chief Parker's background, experience and vision for firefighting and EMS brought him to the top."

One of Chief Parker's very first duties was to preside over the groundbreaking ceremonies for the relocation of Fire Station No. 1 from its current home on Valley View to the new site at 13100 Webb Chapel, across from the Manske Library.

Parker began his career in Texas firefighting in 1988 in The Woodlands, just north of Houston, where he served until joining Farmers Branch as Deputy Chief of Administration in July of 2000. He also has service with the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department in Harris County, Cypress Creek EMS in Houston and the Harris County Emergency Corps. Graduating Cum Laude from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences, Parker also completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program and numerous other training programs encompassed in the National Emergency Management System, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Center for Domestic Preparedness and the National Emergency Response and Rescue Training Center.
 

Video  Extra

 The intricacies and myriad considerations involved in the expansion and improvement of Interstate 635, better known as the LBJ freeway, was the focus of a Farmers Branch City Hall meeting held in February.

That 90-minute meeting will be seen on FBTV at 12 noon, seven days a week, March 2-31.

Representatives of the project, dubbed LBJ Express , took about 30 minutes to outline the five-year, $3 billion project that will change the face of LBJ from the "High Five" to Stemmons Freeway.

FBTV can be seen on Time Warner cable channel 16 in Farmers Branch, AT&T Uverse channel 99 throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and online at www.farmersbranch.info.

Video  Extra

Project Video from LBJ Express

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Video  Extras throughout

Branch Bulletin

Farmers Branch City Hall was opened in 1989 and still serves as the headquarters for Farmers Branch City government. The two-story building can be found at 13000 William Dodson Parkway, just south of Valley View Lane and just east of the Farmers Branch DART Light Rail Station.

Farmers Branch Staff Photo

New provider now collecting trash

Beginning March 1, the City's residential trash collection is being performed by Waste Management, Inc. Green Grabber service for yard waste and larger items is still provided by the City. Public Works officials said residents should not notice a difference in service. However, questions or issues should be referred to Waste Management at 972.315.5400.

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