"With toll roads on two sides of Plano, the Texas Department of Transportation wants to 'sell' State Highway 121."
Letters from Plano, Allen, McKinney
May 5, 2006
The Dallas Morning News
Copyright 2006
Stop the steady decline
A performing arts hall was approved for Plano in 1998 that eventually became the Arts of Collin County in Allen. Now we have a $95,000 marketing study for the Plano Centre and the adjacent property, originally designed for the arts hall and hotel. Other questionable decisions include a $1 million redo of Haggard Park, ending one of our most popular cultural events – the summer band concerts – and turning historic Rice Field over to developers, which allowed Wal-Mart to build on the Dallas North Tollway in violation of guidelines and with strong opposition by homeowners.
Last year, $515,000 was approved for public art, including $25,000 at the animal shelter, and $1 million went for infrastructure to display donated cattle. The real issues are deteriorating neighborhoods, rental properties, economic development and declining retail sales tax revenue due to neighboring competition.
With toll roads on two sides of Plano, the Texas Department of Transportation wants to "sell" State Highway 121. This will be another tax. Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson has been fighting TxDOT and the Regional Transportation Council with no support from Plano officials.
Sadly, our once dynamic and proud city is silent while others determine our future. Ken Lambert can restore Plano pride.
Joe Schumacher, Plano
© 2006 The Dallas Morning News Co www.dallasnews.com
May 5, 2006
The Dallas Morning News
Copyright 2006
Stop the steady decline
A performing arts hall was approved for Plano in 1998 that eventually became the Arts of Collin County in Allen. Now we have a $95,000 marketing study for the Plano Centre and the adjacent property, originally designed for the arts hall and hotel. Other questionable decisions include a $1 million redo of Haggard Park, ending one of our most popular cultural events – the summer band concerts – and turning historic Rice Field over to developers, which allowed Wal-Mart to build on the Dallas North Tollway in violation of guidelines and with strong opposition by homeowners.
Last year, $515,000 was approved for public art, including $25,000 at the animal shelter, and $1 million went for infrastructure to display donated cattle. The real issues are deteriorating neighborhoods, rental properties, economic development and declining retail sales tax revenue due to neighboring competition.
With toll roads on two sides of Plano, the Texas Department of Transportation wants to "sell" State Highway 121. This will be another tax. Frisco Mayor Mike Simpson has been fighting TxDOT and the Regional Transportation Council with no support from Plano officials.
Sadly, our once dynamic and proud city is silent while others determine our future. Ken Lambert can restore Plano pride.
Joe Schumacher, Plano
© 2006 The Dallas Morning News Co
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, May 05, 2006
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