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Downtown Revitalization
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Downtown Garland is one of seven strategic areas targeted for redevelopment. Therefore, the City seeks to focus private and public investment in Garland’s civic core to bring about a concentration of jobs, housing units, commercial uses, public spaces, public transportation, and pedestrian activity. The 2010 Downtown Opportunity Summary performed by Leland Consulting Group confirms near term market opportunities for the Downtown that will have a significant and positive ripple effect beyond Downtown’s boundaries. Hence, targeting strategic investment in a manner that meets the vision of the community and goals set the tone that leverages future quality private investment.
Strategic Vision
The Downtown Redevelopment Implementation Plan lays the foundation of Garland’s redevelopment plans for Downtown. The Plan calls for strengthening the linkages between the downtown core and the individual elements which make up downtown’s strongest assets. The Plan’s recommendations for strengthening the core include renovating the Square to strengthen its identity as the focal point of downtown; strengthening the identity of the historic buildings; creating a unique, active urban streetscape; renovating and repositioning municipal buildings to create a stronger and more active street presence; creating a mixed-use cultural arts district; adding new residential “infill” development; and establishing pocket parks and landscape features to provide amenities and interim destinations throughout downtown.
Public – Private Partnerships
One of the key means by which the City advances Downtown’s redevelopment is undertaking partnerships with private developers on projects that accord with The Plan. In 2005, the City entered into a partnership with Trammell Crow’s High Street Residential on a mixed-use development called Fifth Street Crossing. The mixed-use project has proven a market appetite for quality higher-density residential development adjacent to the DART Downtown Light Rail Station. Success Story: Fifth Street Crossing provides an outline of the partnership structure and outcomes.
Development Opportunity
On August 31, 2011, the City issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a development partner to construct a new high-density residential development that enhances the newly emergent live/work urban environment on approximately 2.5 acres of City-owned land in the heart of Garland’s vibrant Downtown. The goal of this initiative is to deliver a dense urban residential development supported by a structured parking garage, streetscape and public space/plaza amenities and superlative architectural and site design. Two development teams have been invited to submit more detailed proposals. The City anticipates selecting a preferred development team early 2012. Please contact the staff below for additional information:
Christine Maguire
Redevelopment Manager
cmaguire@garlandtx.gov
972-205-2462
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