04 Oct PROSPER AND CELINA: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE BY DAWN BLUEMEL OLDFIELD
Once upon a time two little Texas towns shared prosperous beginnings. Both were established in 1876 and lured people from far and wide looking for a better life. Settlers came to farm, work and raise families. Today, the two are writing a new chapter in that story and are listed among Texas fastest growing communities. People are moving to Prosper and Celina for their rural small town feel, master planned communities, top-rated schools, outstanding athletic programs, and new retail centers that are offering more places to shop and do business.
Like many rural communities throughout the United States, Prosper and Celina are looking for ways to strengthen their economies, provide a high quality of life, build on local assets, yet somehow retain that small town feel people want. Yet, how do you preserve your history while helping the town grow? Both towns believe smart growth strategies can help them achieve their goals for growth and development while maintaining their distinctive rural character.
PROSPER
Harlan Jefferson, Prosper Town Manager shares:
“Prosper is presently on a high-growth track, both from a residential and commercial standpoint. The current wave of residential growth can be traced to the end of the most recent recession. Following the economic doldrums of the 2008 recession, builders and developers began to re-energize their plans for the creation of developments featuring single family homes as well as their stalled plans for expansion of subdivisions that were already in existence. In early 2009, nearly two-thirds of Prosper was undeveloped. Today, the percentage of land either already developed or planned for development is significantly higher. As developers fill in large tracts with rooftops, the available undeveloped real estate will continue to diminish until build-out, expected within the next 20-25 years.
On the commercial side, the Town’s economic corridors are also seeing rapid development. The largest of these corridors is the Hwy 380 corridor. The Prosper side of that corridor will see a virtually complete fill-in. The vast majority of available land space is either already under development or will be started in the near future. Critical corner space at Custer Road, Coit Road, Preston Road, the Dallas North Tollway, Teel Road and FM 423 are already sprouting commercial, retail, office and other projects offering new shopping and business opportunities. The mix of residential and commercial development gives Prosper a balanced approach to growth, providing medical, entertainment and other services and amenities to an expanding population base. Businesses are looking for a location that makes it easy to conduct their commerce, and where there is a ready and attractive customer base. Prosper offers all of these things.
Prosper wants to remain a place where everyone matters, and the vision of a well-designed, adequately-staffed municipality that provides a secure place to raise a family with all of the amenities that a growing population demands while maintaining a high level of financial stewardship remains at the heart of our vision. Prosper is also a place that warmly welcomes the right kinds of business partners, giving residents the services they need and want.
The Town Council and staff are very attuned to that sentiment of balancing the “small town, country feel” that so many people are moving here for, yet accommodate all the growth. We are constantly reviewing development plans, especially those that involve commercial establishments, to ensure that the “Prosper feel” is retained in building construction, materials and overall look. The Town Hall, for example, is reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century courthouse, with accents and embellishments that harken back to the days when the courthouse was the center of municipal activity. Other new structures in Town repeat that same country ambiance that residents appreciate.
There are many aspects of Prosper that families and businesses seek. Families are looking for good schools, an expanding tax base, and value for their real estate dollar, safety and security and favorable transportation options. All of these are part and parcel of Prosper’s profile. The Prosper ISD is recognized as one of the best in the state, both academically and athletically. Continuing commercial growth within the Town will result in a more balanced and expanded tax base. Real estate value is very high in Prosper, not only for new construction, but also for existing and maturing sections of Town. Value continues to rise, giving homeowners a healthy return on their investment. Safety and security are important to the Town, as it continues to upgrade its police and fire departments with highly-trained and motivated personnel and a commitment to improving its equipment and inventory. Finally, transportation lanes are being expanded in a thoughtful and methodical manner, providing good streets and major thoroughfares where they are most needed.
We also offer great events throughout the year. The annual Prosper Christmas Festival is set for Saturday, Dec. 3 in the downtown area. Planning is currently underway for the event which will include food, games, exhibits, vendors, local entertainment and lots of family fun.”
CELINA
Corbett Howard, Executive Director of Celina Economic Development Corporation says:
“We all want to feel as if we are living in some place that has a sense of identity. To clarify who we are, four of the very best places to look would be our Geography, Our Demography, Our History and our Heritage.
Celina occupies a 78 sq. mile footprint, second largest in Collin County. We are situated in the Golden Corridor that is the real estate between the DNT and Preston Road, considered the most valuable real estate corridor from Downtown Dallas-North. Also consider that Celina is the location for the future Outer Loop.
The latest Buxton Co. demographics of the 15 minute drive time from Center Core Celina reveal a young population that averages 35 years of age, with a 3.26 average household. The average income is $125,638. It is a skilled workforce with 52.8% of the population having an Associate, Bachelor, or Graduate degree.
Our history illustrates persevering, hard working people who settled in the Celina area. The settlers thought so much of our future community that they encouraged their families to move from Celina Tennessee to a location just Southeast of our current Old Celina Park. With the advent of the railroad, the community moved to its current location. Our recent history would include Three Comprehensive Land Use Plans in 2001, 2009, 2013. These Committees made up of all stakeholders in our community laid out the future of Celina, along with the Water and Sewer security infrastructure to support the growth plans.
The entrepreneurial spirit of Celina could be seen as early as 1910, J Fred Smith who would later be the first Mayor of University Park and founder of Snyder Plaza laid out the Downtown Square. Celina celebrated its 100 year anniversary in 2011, and the historic square remains a priority in development plans for Celina.
There are several nouns that describe the Heritage and Character of Celina. Tradition would be the first example. There is a community pride as a Championship City expressed in the excellence of our Celina Bobcats, holders of Eight State football Championships. The Quarterback Club that supports this traditional program is still Strong after 62 years. Celina is a City of Portion, the parts make up the whole, and it is about family and families. Celina is a place of Faith in God, which creates strength in Unity, NOT Uniformity. Celina is a City of Volunteerism. The participation of the citizenry has contributed the planning and focus of who Celina is today and wants to be in the future, while preserving the culture for the many people who want to make Celina Home.
What was once a sleepy farming community is now waking up to a new way of life. Celina is evolving into a major focal point for new residential and commercial development. Celina’s future is bright for education and economic expansion. Celina will continue to look for ways to create economic, and community development. City leadership is taking a proactive approach toward positive development, and with this effort, Celina will carry on being “Celina by Choice”, The Place to Live, Work, Shop, and Play.”