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Garland outlines 2025 bond priorities: streets, Granville Arts Center and Harbor Point waterfront improvements
Summary
City staff told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that the voter-approved 2025 bond funds will emphasize neighborhood street repair, a $25 million renovation of the Granville Arts Center and a proposed Harbor Point lakefront boardwalk and water-access improvements under Proposition D.
Assistant City Manager Hesser told the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on Aug. 6 that Garland—s recently passed bond package focuses on neighborhood street repairs, neighborhood vitality projects and several civic facilities including the Granville Arts Center and waterfront improvements under Proposition D.
"A really big one is street repair," Hesser said, describing work ranging "from crack sealing to overlays to complete panel replacement to complete street replacement." Hesser said roughly $75 million in the bond is allocated to street repair and that about $7 million will be dedicated to neighborhood vitality projects.
Hesser described a proposed $25 million renovation of the Granville Arts Center, noting the building predates Americans with Disabilities Act standards and requires broad accessibility and systems upgrades. He said the project was planned as a major renovation rather than a piecemeal fix.
On Proposition D, staff presented conceptual renderings for a Harbor Point shoreline boardwalk and connector trail. Hesser said the concept grew from a prior TxDOT grant application that was not funded; the grant request previously sought about $25 million. The boardwalk concept would create continuous lakefront access near Bass Pro Shops and restaurant areas, add limited courtesy boat slips (Hesser said 6 to 12 slips were possible) and consider kayak launches and vending-style kayak kiosks. The Harbor Point improvements are also tied to an upcoming small-area plan that will formalize land-use and redevelopment strategies for that lakeshore node.
Hesser said some grant and regulatory reviews would be required for shoreline work, and public meetings tied to the Harbor Point small-area plan are expected soon. He described the Harbor Point project as economic-development focused: "who doesn't want to be on the water," he said, and argued improved access would increase customer "footfall" for nearby businesses.
The board asked questions about kayak access, fishing and parking; Hesser said the city owns adjacent parking and that design decisions (for example, fishing-only "T-head" piers or restrictions on fish cleaning) would be shaped by safety, trail use and etiquette concerns.
Board members and staff discussed next steps including planning, grant-seeking and the small-area planning process as staff refine designs and environmental review requirements.
The bond presentation stressed the city will sequence larger projects and take opportunities to fund segments over time rather than deliver the entire waterfront connection at once.
