City staff briefed the Garland City Council on Monday on a proposed 2025 bond package that would direct roughly $360 million toward streets, economic development, municipal facilities and parks, including a $25 million renovation proposal for the Granville Arts Center.

“Garland has these fundamental challenges,” said the city manager, summarizing why the city is seeking voter-backed general-obligation financing. He said a limited local sales-tax base, constrained revenue growth under state law and stalled population growth make large, voter‑approved debt the primary tool for sizable redevelopment and infrastructure projects.

What’s proposed
Staff and the bond study committee recommended four propositions rather than five after bond counsel advised merging the gateways and corridors language into the streets proposition. The committee’s recommendation — as presented Monday — totals $360,000,000 and would be grouped as:

- Proposition A: Streets and transportation, including residential streets and alleys and the gateways/corridors portion — roughly $230,000,000 (about $210,000,000 targeted for residential streets and alleys and $20,000,000 for gateways and corridors). City staff said the streets program is the highest priority.

- Proposition B: Economic and community development — $75,000,000, covering land assembly (committee‑earmarked $25,000,000), incentives/gap financing, and a revitalization program including a continued neighborhood‑vitality allocation.

- Proposition C: Municipal facilities — $25,000,000 focused on renovating the Granville Arts Center.

- Proposition D: Parks and recreation — $30,000,000 focused on Harbor Point waterfront access and trails.

Chip Van Pelt, a Bond Study Committee member and Garland Cultural Arts Commission member, presented the Granville proposal and framed the arts center as an economic engine. “There are a number of venues in Garland that host events but the crown jewel is the Granville Arts Center,” Van Pelt said, noting a facility‑condition assessment that found mechanical systems at or past useful life and accessibility problems the renovation would address.

Granville specifics
Van Pelt said the Granville renovation plan would upgrade HVAC, fire suppression and other mechanical systems, reconfigure the Brownlee Auditorium and small theater to add universal accessibility and comfort, enlarge and reorganize lobby and concession space, and create additional classroom and meeting spaces adjacent to new administration offices. The committee recommended $25,000,000 for the work; presenters said the intent is to modernize and extend the venue’s life and visitor experience rather than expand seating capacity.

Process, outreach and timing
Staff said the city manager’s office will work with council members to stage district‑level outreach between March and May if council votes to place propositions on the ballot. A session this weekend will focus on proposition language; council staff reiterated there is no planned tax‑rate increase tied to the bond package.

How the package differs from 2019 bonds
Presenters contrasted the 2025 proposal with the 2019 program, saying the new package emphasizes flexible, citywide economic‑development funding and shorter‑term streets and alley pavement investments rather than the large, specific roadway projects of the earlier bond. Officials said drainage funding strategy differs as well, with more stormwater work expected to be supported by the city’s stormwater rate rather than general‑obligation bonds.

Council reaction
Councilors asked about next steps, the sufficiency of the Granville amount and outreach mechanics. Several council members praised the Granville’s role as a tourism and cultural draw and asked whether the project list would leave room for limited investments in other facilities such as the Plaza Theatre; presenters said the bond committee focused the municipal facilities proposition on the Granville but that limited plaza improvements could be considered by council separately.

Next steps
Staff said council will receive proposition language in advance of a Saturday workshop. If council gives direction to put the bond propositions on the ballot, staff plans a March–May public engagement window and will return with final language and adoption steps per the city calendar.

No formal vote occurred at Monday’s work session; council discussion will continue at scheduled meetings and the Saturday workshop.

Ending note
The council asked staff to continue refining proposition language, outreach plans and cost assumptions and to provide additional detail at the Saturday workshop and subsequent meetings.