[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6677003,"mediaKeyId","2324267-7921e14a1a305a2b8bb884ed3fd9bf1c","parentId",2324267,"title","Mayor Pro Tem reports on Texas transportation forum, highlights funding pressures from inflation and growth","audioSeconds",413,"startMs",1798000,"endMs",2211000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324267-7921e14a1a305a2b8bb884ed3fd9bf1c&start=1798&end=2211","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324267-7921e14a1a305a2b8bb884ed3fd9bf1c/thumbnail_1798000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6677003/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Mayor-Pro-Tem-reports-on-Texas-transportation-forum-highlights-funding-pressures-from-inflation-and-growth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677003-f3fef3109bd4c2953cebbbb79bc8d9b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148888&Signature=MpW5I2HfF20m5q2wzLNkFcK6CjYC5CpMgptnHsIaWwG~nHqEVXMBwMFXELuEdh5yM~-BoggluiWSpkNJFEDKl7r~kZxV~z6gFotZFombQTIYFli4OE~FAhW33GCvHdDn5gWEWdrxpjTOXsBNUd8X7Oa3QhhtAOEzqzGZidhZB5MfzgamGMVD~p25dGPyAGU6gb8JKCMLpxRG9RsRI-VsCn28g1sGu8pcp-btdAr7FurEgWsZEM2uQEMTYieJcTaDhn6cPYBKWsXPi59AbE3QMt2OFHERhEc9wEWIGu~5BrQxbLBW0ZUyVlOxHgZ~TQ5APwKQ13UyIFZeeXxnZyT0Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garland","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Mayor Pro Tem reported on a recent Texas transportation forum in Round Rock, saying the event reviewed how the state has funded highways since the 2014 and 2015 propositions and outlining the funding challenges TxDOT now faces.

The briefing described Proposition 1 (2014) and Proposition 7 (2015) as measures that redirected portions of state oil-and-gas and motor-vehicle related tax revenues into the state highway fund, substantially increasing available dollars for roadway construction and right-of-way acquisition. The mayor pro tem said those measures initially reduced a backlog of highway projects but that inflation and rapid population growth have since eroded funding capacity and doubled costs for projects budgeted in 2019.

The presentation said statewide responses under discussion include adjustments to tax structures, expanded tolling, and increased public-private partnerships to close remaining funding gaps. The mayor pro tem told council that TxDOT and legislators are considering options to sustain long-term investments as project costs rise.

Council thanked the mayor pro tem for representing Garland on regional transportation bodies and noted the relevance of state funding trends to municipal road and highway planning. The report was informational; no council action was requested.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Garland - Work Session - Feb 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor Pro Tem summarized takeaways from a Texas transportation forum, describing how Propositions 1 and 7 redirected state revenues to the highway fund, how inflation and population growth have strained project budgets, and the range of potential funding responses being discussed at the state level.","taxTitle","Garland, Dallas County, Texas","taxId",2783,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677008,"City staff recommends clearer rules and limited city programming for Garland’s Downtown Square",711,1069000,1780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324267-7921e14a1a305a2b8bb884ed3fd9bf1c&start=1069&end=1780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324267-7921e14a1a305a2b8bb884ed3fd9bf1c/thumbnail_1069000.jpg","/articles/6677008/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/City-staff-recommends-clearer-rules-and-limited-city-programming-for-Garlands-Downtown-Square","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677008-a3cb52291f46b3a847345cad557a1fc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148888&Signature=KjSmY2L1HKEkEsjheVvUELDbTv1CIGQVHvnAUtVqweaN4YKfAmg07DKek1CCHtLjTk9D-7bfqNAQ~1RR-2-xeX7JPUO0e86HyOQIxLUv29Xu1B6-HQjRF6QbTJgp2R9xft-UxR2xzOtcjFCvxtX85UgGgMcMwt3HoBy8LXBS-1BzPGz~~RgBVdBnI~ZQqG2aEZIGJeOo3ePp039YVaZJWfzxB5T7~TECTBDA~wFKsylPILbzhVy6QutDKVFMmWrfGF1NRehBIoFX20o0jDC1IJnxhC58-aOLOpiSjJIYQSWhFyeovt3d0C~2lB2ut-GnYnsOrjDqALpfUnHmPZdw4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented recommended changes to special-event practices for Garland’s Downtown Square, asking council to support clearer permit triggers and to limit the city’s own programming so the square remains broadly available to the public.

Staff told the council the discussion focused on the square and the four immediately surrounding streets but that the review also considered events citywide because many departments support special events. The staff presentation listed typical triggers for a special-event permit: gatherings expected to draw more than 100 people, erection of tents or stages, barricades or closures, vendors or food trucks, amplified sound, animals, or fireworks. The staff presentation noted that proximity to other downtown events prompts a calendar check but is not by itself a permit trigger.

Staff said the special-events office provides extensive customer service, including daily phone assistance and on-site location visits, and that staff helps small or first-time organizers choose an appropriate city location and plan infrastructure needs such as power and restrooms. The presentation said the downtown development office has a designated staff member who programs activations in the square and that, as of the briefing, more than 60 events were planned for the Downtown Square in 2025.

The staff recommendation applies to city-produced events and the urban market; staff said it was developed with a consultant and shared with the Garland Downtown Business Association (GDBA), which indicated support. Staff said the recommendation would not affect third-party GDBA events such as wine walks and would not prevent small private gatherings (for example, a 20-person wedding without amplification) from occurring without a permit.

The Community Services committee also reported that a separate item—changing code-violation enforcement from criminal to civil—will be delayed until the city’s Salesforce implementation is active, expected in May. Council members asked that links to the publicly accessible city events calendar be clarified on city web pages so residents can check dates and reduce scheduling conflicts.

No formal council action was taken at the work session; staff asked for questions and said they would return with final direction and website updates after council guidance.","Staff proposed clarifications to the city's special event permit triggers and recommended reserving the Downtown Square for lower levels of city-produced programming while continuing third-party events; staff said the recommendation came from a consultant and that more than 60 Downtown Square events are planned for 2025.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6677013,"Garland staff to seek approval for TIF 3 amendments that would fund Holford/George Bush soccer complex",685,80000,765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324267-7921e14a1a305a2b8bb884ed3fd9bf1c&start=80&end=765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324267-7921e14a1a305a2b8bb884ed3fd9bf1c/thumbnail_80000.jpg","/articles/6677013/Garland/Dallas-County/Texas/Garland-staff-to-seek-approval-for-TIF-3-amendments-that-would-fund-HolfordGeorge-Bush-soccer-complex","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6677013-02373f7408da57f827afd780ffc627d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148888&Signature=h7aBzxFwfpwSYOhgWjS~uFW5bZ4050b1rQFmSH~ti~O-eWa7TfyGNyDwDUQPm8mlSDMahjzYQ9zN3L7MpWPqkOVjau2d-HornNkxzWJmH9C2Gpm3ArjrsOB~a2h2BcgvJA375Cnmu0yI34lDWeFYzJ5yM86Xhr0O~Lzxz3w2qw3gbWi9y84pAkN9UynJPmksLQ7iatFpr0hcvccHROqvU2fJkTEvCHltpva5eM4mmnDN1JS9RjWatm1FHLgBuKgW31O~p-JDsn4Nyjc1faOqZjtv7ATraUFDyNeQ34rQrRvqRMErdarlzUAn4HYjYG3UwN07qqjhJJF3cOH9ERMdEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City economic-development staff presented proposed amendments to Tax Increment Financing District 3 that would add the design and construction of a professional and youth athletic facility at Holford Road and George Bush Parkway and would authorize TIF-funded financing for the project.

The presentation said the TIF board is recommending issuance of TIF revenue bonds totaling about $39,000,000 plus issuance costs, and a $4,000,000 cash infusion from TIF 3 — a combined TIF contribution of roughly $43,000,000 toward a stadium currently budgeted at $50,000,000. The presentation said the remaining roughly $7,000,000 would come from utility funds for infrastructure improvements.

City staff emphasized that revenue projections for TIF 3 use conservative assumptions, relying largely on a 1% annual increase and only on development already in progress. The presenter said the staff plan assumes an ability to amortize bonds on a 30-year schedule with an early-call option after year 10 and that, under conservative projections, the debt could be paid off around year 18.

The TIF project-plan amendments shown to council would also earmark $88,700,000 for medical-district projects and preserve that portion for future public improvements. The presentation described prior Riverside and Peruvian development agreements, interlocal agreements with DART, and land purchases the city has made to assemble sites for future development, including parcels described as near Walter Reed and Maria Curry.

Staff said the TIF plan as presented totals about $196.8 million in TIF-eligible uses and another $158.9 million in related non-TIF funding sources for a combined total of roughly $355.7 million currently shown in the plan. The presentation listed two interlocal agreements with DART (one for $15,000,000 and one for about $22,000,000) and said the city has spent about $32,200,000 on land acquisition along South Garland Avenue using bond-program funds and DART contributions.

No formal vote was taken during the work session. Staff announced a public hearing on TIF No. 3 was scheduled for the council meeting the following evening, after which the council could vote on the recommended amendments and on a separate land-acquisition item near I-635 and South Shiloh Road. Staff said additional actions that will follow include a lease and development agreement with USL Dallas for the Holford Road complex and the selection of a construction manager at risk for the project.

Speakers at the work session asked about whether South Garland Avenue opportunities outside current TIF 3 items could be considered; staff replied they would look at other financing options as needed. Council members also were told staff will provide more frequent updates as new certified values are available from the appraisal district and as revenues change.

Action items related to the TIF amendments were set for a public hearing and potential vote at the Feb. 18 council meeting; no approval or adoption occurred at the Feb. 17 work session.","City staff presented proposed amendments to Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 3 that would add the Holford/George Bush professional and youth soccer complex to the TIF project plan and authorize financing including revenue bonds and a cash contribution; a public hearing and possible council action were scheduled for the next day.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor Pro Tem reports on Texas transportation forum, highlights funding pressures from inflation and growth

City staff recommends clearer rules and limited city programming for Garland’s Downtown Square

Garland staff to seek approval for TIF 3 amendments that would fund Holford/George Bush soccer complex