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THIS USED TO BE NOTHING OUT HERE FOR MILES.
WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO BUILD SOMETHING AND MADE IT HAPPEN.
LOOK AT WHAT WE'VE MADE TOGETHER, NOT JUST HERE BUT ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY.
ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO CREATE A PLACE FOR EVERYONE.
BUILT FOR THE FUTURE, BUILT FOR NEW GENERATIONS RIGHT HERE IN AN ABSOLUTE GEM OF A CITY, GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS.
DEEP IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING.
WELCOME TO THE 2 20 26 STATE OF THE CITY.
I'M HONORED TO BE HERE TONIGHT.
DEEP IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING.
WE'RE DEEP IN THE HEART OF THE METROPLEX.
YOU KNOW WE'RE SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF THE METROPLEX.
IF THEY'D PLAYED THE WHOLE VIDEO WHEN I WAS WALKING THROUGH THE PASTURE.
UH, CLOSE TO AIRPORTS, JOBS, HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES, AND FINALLY TOP NOTCH ENTERTAINMENT AND A FEW RESTAURANTS.
THAT IS WHY MORE PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO MAKE GRAND PRAIRIE THEIR HOME.
THAT IS WHY I, ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT OUR CITY, IT'S REPUTATION.
WE ARE KNOWN AS A CITY THAT GETS THINGS DONE.
A GREAT BUSINESS PARTNER WHO IS EASY TO WORK WITH UNLESS YOU HAVE CODE VIOLATIONS.
WHEN YOU BRING AN IDEA FORWARD, WE LISTEN.
WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO BUILD THIS TRUST, A TRUST THAT TRANSLATES INTO WINS.
ONE EXAMPLE IS OUR 23 YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH A EG PRESENTS, WHICH OPERATES TEXAS TRUST CU THEATER, A PREMIER VENUE FOR MUSIC AND CONCERTS HERE IN THE DFW AREA.
THEY WERE RECENTLY RECOGNIZED AMONG THE TOP VENUES IN THE NATION IN THE 5,000 TO 10,000 CATEGORY.
I MEAN, WE'RE NOT GONNA PUT A HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THERE LIKE AT AND T DOES, BUT WE'VE GOT SOME GREAT SHOWS.
I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE RENEWED OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM UNTIL 2033 AND THEY HAVE AN OPTION TO RENEW IT FOR ANOTHER NINE YEARS IN 2033.
WE'VE HAD A NUMBER OF WINS THIS YEAR.
IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF THE TROPHIES AND THE AWARDS, WHICH ARE NICE, BUT IT'S BECAUSE IT MEANS OUR TEAM'S WORKING REAL HARD FOR YOUR BEST INTEREST.
WE ARE THE SAFEST CITY IN THE DFW AREA ACCORDING TO WALLET HUB RANKED SECOND IN THE NATION AMONG MID-SIZED CITIES FOR PERMITTING EFFICIENCY BY THE BY RED TAPE INDEX 500.
YOU KNOW WHAT RED TAPE IS? WE CUT THROUGH THE RED TAPE FOR THE SECOND TIME IN A ROW.
WE HAVE BEEN RANKED IN THE TOP 10 FOR DIGITAL GOVERNMENT CITIES THROUGH THEIR SURVEY AWARD.
THAT'S A BIG DEAL BECAUSE HOW OUR CITY SERVES PEOPLE GOES A LONG WAY FROM THE FRONT COUNTER.
IT ALSO HAPPENS ONLINE AND IN SYSTEMS THAT KEEP OUR INFORMATION SECURE AND OUR SERVICES ACCESSIBLE.
I WAS AT A COG THE OTHER DAY WHERE WE WON OUR FLEET SERVICES, WAS RECOGNIZED BY COGS, DFW CLEAN CITIES PROGRAM AS A GOLD FLEET AND DESIGNATED AS A SHINING STAR CITY FOR FLEET ELECTRIFICATION.
THEY WERE ALSO RECOGNIZED AS A TOP 50 LEADING FLEET BY THE GOVERNMENT FLEET MAGAZINE.
GRAND PRAIRIE WAS NAMED AIR NORTH TEXAS PARTNER OF THE YEAR 2025.
WE EARNED IT BY PROMOTING CLEAN AIR ACTIONS AND SHOWING UP IN THE COMMUNITY.
YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GONNA GET INTO THE DEBATE ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING, BUT WHO DOESN'T WANT TO BREATHE? CLEAN, CLEAN AIR.
I WANT TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR AND OUR CITY'S ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THINGS TO HELP US
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DO THAT.THERE IS ALSO OUR COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING TEAM, WHICH YOU SAW ERIC'S A PART OF THAT.
YOU SAW WHAT HE DID FOR THE OPENING.
THEY WON AN EMMY THIS YEAR FOR OUR HISPANIC OUTREACH CAMPAIGN.
THERE'S BEEN ONE OTHER CITY EARNED AN EMMY AND IT WAS YOUR CITY, MARY WILLIAMS, ARLINGTON.
BUT THOSE ARE NOT ALL THE WINS.
THIS PAST YEAR WE'VE HAD A VARIETY OF NEW BUSINESSES OPEN.
THERE'S SOME ABOUT TO OPEN AND ABOUT ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE TO ANNOUNCE, BUT I CAN'T
MOINE EXPANSION FOR THEIR NEWEST ADVANCED MANUFACTURING ASSEMBLY FACILITY BRINGING MORE THAN A THOUSAND JOBS TO OUR CITY BOMB AND SPRINGS THIS EXPANSION OF THEIR MEDICAL DEVICE BUSINESS UNIT.
PORTELLO'S IS OPEN AND DOING WELL AND IS NOT HEB, BUT ROSES IS FINALLY ABOUT TO OPEN
NOW SEE, YOU'D HAVE TO KNOW THE BACKSTORY.
WE APPROVED THEM AND THEY SAT THERE IN THE DIRT.
I GOT TIRED OF PEOPLE ASKING ME.
ALSO THIS SPRING, BJ'S WHOLESALE, IF YOU WATCH THE NEWS AND REPORT, BOY THEY'RE ADVERTISING THE HECK OUT OF IT.
BLACK BEAR DINER IS A CRACKER.
BE BARREL WITHOUT THE SOUVENIRS.
BUBBA'S 33, 2 YEARS AGO I RECOGNIZED TIFFANY DEARIE AT MY STATE OF THE CITY AND HER PARTNER TOM FOLEY BECAUSE SHE WAS BRINGING TO US RODI, WHICH SHE DID.
AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW IT, SHE'S IN HER SECOND YEAR OF MASTER CHEF.
UM, SHE'S FIXING TO OPEN UP THE LANDING, WHICH IS IN THE OLD LUKE NINE.
THE LANDING IS GONNA OPEN UP THIS SPRING MORE THAN RIBBON CUTTINGS AND PRETTY PICTURES.
THESE OPENINGS ARE A SIGN THAT PEOPLE BELIEVE IN GRAND PRIX.
AND I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THESE OPENINGS MEAN IN PLAIN TERMS. JOBS, CHOICES, FOLKS.
Y'ALL HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS BEFORE.
I WAS EXCITED WHEN WE GOT A SMOOTHIE KING.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A DARN SMOOTHIE KING.
MORE CHOICES HELP KEEPING THE DOLLARS HERE LOCAL AND LEMME TELL YOU, A STRONG JOB BASE KEEPS US MOVING FORWARD AND IT'S HOW WE CONTINUE TO ATTRACT THE BEST NEW RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND ATTRACTIONS.
OUR CITY IS ALSO KNOWN FOR HOSTING BIG FREE EVENTS.
THERE ISN'T ANOTHER CITY THAT HAS OUR EXACT MIX ON OUR TOP ENTERTAINMENT IDEAS AND SHOPPING.
THERE IS NO OTHER CITY THAT HAS AN IKEA BASS, PRO ANDRES TOP GOLF MAIN EVENT, CHICKEN AND PICKLE WITHIN A ONE MILE WALKING DISTANCE.
THEY WERE THE FIRST ONES THAT BELIEVED IN THIS.
SEE, WE COULD PASS THE BOND ELECTION TO BUILD THE THE EPIC, EPIC WATERS BACKED BY 75% OF THE VOTE AND BONDED THROUGH OUR TAX SALES TAX.
BUT TO GET A FIRM TO RISK THEIR MONEY AND BLEEDING IN US, THAT'S CRITICAL.
IN FACT, I TELL THIS STORY OFTEN.
THE NIGHT I WAS GONNA ANNOUNCE IT, TWO PEOPLE CAME UP TO ME AND SAID, YOU'RE FIXING TO ANNOUNCE BASS PRO.
DON'T TELL ANYBODY I ANNOUNCED IKEA.
SO WHO DID I CALL THE NIGHT BEFORE I ANNOUNCED BASS PRO? THOSE TWO PEOPLE
TWO YEARS LATER I REMEMBERED THEM.
I SAID, GUESS WHAT I'VE ANNOUNCED AT THE PARTY.
WE ALSO TURNED SOMETHING IN THAT WASN'T REALLY A HOME RUN OUR BASEBALL FIELD INTO A HOME RUN.
WE HAVE MAJOR LEAGUE CRICKET MATCHES, INTERNATIONAL CRICKET TOURNAMENTS.
YES, THEY WELCOMED 126,000 FAN STARS STADIUM.
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LOCALLY.EPIC WATERS WAS RANKED TOP THREE IN THE NATION FOR THE BEST INDOOR WATER PARK.
BJ, I SAW YOU WALK IN SOMETHING REALLY DEAR TO YOUR HEART.
IT IS AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND.
SUNDAY PACKED BIRTHDAY PARTIES, KIDS PLAYING THERE THEY ARE SWEET KIDS WERE BEING ABLE TO DO THINGS TOGETHER THAT THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEY'D BE ABLE TO AND IT WAS PART OF THE BOND PACKAGE.
WHEN WE BUILT THE EPIC AND EPIC WATERS, I SAW PAUL FANELLI HERE.
WE JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WE HAVE BOULDER ADVENTURE PARKS RIGHT THERE.
AIN'T ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE AROUND 66,000 SQUARE SQUARE FEET INDOOR WITH ROCK CLIMBING ZIP LINES AND TUBING SLIDES.
IT'S ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR OUR CITY.
DEEP IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING.
HMM, SOMETHING SARAH DELIC WORKED ON FOR 10 YEARS.
WE FINALLY GOT THE DAY TRIPPER, AN AWARD-WINNING SHOW ON PBS TELEVISION.
IT AIRED IN 49 STATES REACHING AN AUDIENCE OF 267 MILLION VIEWERS.
NOW THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW IT, THAT'S OUR ORIGINAL FIRE STATION AND THAT'S JASON AND CARLY RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S OUR ORIGINAL FIRE STATION NUMBER ONE.
I'VE GOTTA TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT THAT FIRE STATION THAT TOM AND I HAD A LITTLE BET GOING ON WITH MAYOR ENGLAND 'CAUSE HE THOUGHT WE OUGHT TO TEAR IT DOWN.
TOM AND I SAID, I DON'T CARE WHAT IT TAKES AND IF WE CAN JUST SELL HOT DOGS FOR ONE NIGHT, WE'RE GONNA OPEN IT UP AND SELL HOT DOGS.
WELL, IF YOU HADN'T BEEN THERE, YOU GOTTA GO.
IT'S OUR FIRE STATION NUMBER ONE.
AND WHAT WE DID TO MAINTAIN OUR DOWNTOWN AREA IN SOME OF THE HISTORY, THEY WERE FEATURED IN THE DALLAS OBSERVER FOR HAVING ONE OF THE TOP 10 CHICKEN SANDWICHES IN DFW.
ALTHOUGH I LIKE THE DIRTY FRIES, WHICH IS RIGHT ON THE TABLE RIGHT THERE.
THANK Y'ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MAKES OUR CITY UNIQUE, BUT WE ALSO, OUR COUNCIL HAS DIRECTED OUR STAFF TO FOCUS ON EDUCATING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE FOCUS A LOT ON SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS LIKE ELEVATE GP SMALL BUSINESS TRAINING, WHICH WE LAUNCHED IN 2025, IS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES, ENTREPRENEURS, FAMILY OWNED SHOPS, STARTUPS TO BUILD PRACTICAL TOOLS THROUGH TRAINING, COACHING, AND RESOURCES.
THE GOAL IS TO HELP THEM GROW, HIRE, AND STAY COMPETITIVE AND GROW HERE IN GRAND PRIX.
NOW LOCKHEED MARTIN MISSILES AND FIRES HERE TONIGHT AND I LOVE LOCKHEED MARTIN MISSILES AND FIRE AND THE THE HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES THEY HAVE, BUT ALSO WANT US TO SHOP LOCAL AND SHOP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES SO WE HELP THEM GROW.
GRAND PRAIRIE HAS BECOME ONE OF THE TOP DESTINATIONS FOR MA MAJOR EVENTS.
WE CONTINUE TO RAISE THE BAR ACROSS THE METROPLEX AND BEYOND OFFERING THE MOST DIVERSE CULTURALLY RICH EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, MOST OF WHICH ARE FREE.
WE LEAD LOCAL ORGANIZATION TO HOST MORE THAN 100 EVENTS ANNUALLY.
WE JUST CONCLUDED OUR BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH GRAND PRAIRIE BLACK HISTORY COMMISSION.
THAT WAS LED BY COUNCIL MEMBER BESSIE ADAMS. THIS COMMISSION IS A GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS PROMOTING HEALTH, EDUCATION, ART, AND CULTURE.
AND THEY CAN REALLY SING THAT SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
ALL THEY NEEDED, ALL THEY LEFT OUT WAS PASSING THE OFFERING PLATE
I'M SURPRISED DENNY DAVIS DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THAT.
WE HAVE A GIGANTIC CINCO DE MAYO PARADE.
10 TO 12,000 ATTENDEES THROUGHOUT
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THE DAY EVERY YEAR.THE EVENT IS LED BY GRAND PRAIRIE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION, BUT I THINK IT'S LED BY GLORIA AND SUSANNA ZANNA.
HOW MANY WE'VE LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO.
YOU CAN HAVE AN ORGANIZATION BUT YOU GOTTA HAVE A LEADER.
ON A THREE WEEK TRIP TO ASIA TO CELEBRATE HIS SON'S MASTER'S DEGREE, HIS SON WORKS AT LOCKHEED MARTIN MISSILES AND FIRE.
THANK Y'ALL FOR LETTING HIM OFF FOR THREE WEEKS.
THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION.
JUST CAPPED THREE WEEKENDS, TWO WEEKS, THREE WEEKENDS.
131,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED IT LAST YEAR.
LAST YEAR WAS THE BIGGEST CROWD FOR OUR JUNETEENTH EVENT.
LOTS OF GOOD PICTURES THERE WHERE THEY ARE.
FIESTA PATS PRESENTED BY THE HISPANIC HERITAGE AMBASSADORS WAS ANOTHER GREAT EVENT.
WE ALSO FARMED A COMMITTEE LED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS JOHN LOPEZ AND BY GOKI TO CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, WHICH IS COMING UP THIS COMING SEPTEMBER.
WE WILL DO A WHOLE LOT OF PARTYING THEN, JUST LIKE WE DID THROUGH ASIA TIMES SQUARE AND BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
THERE'S A LOT OF EVENTS AND LOTS OF VISITORS GENERATING SALES TAX.
OUR MAIN STREET FEST ATTRACTED 30,000 GUESTS LAST YEAR.
MAIN STREET FEST, FREE PICKLE FEST, EIGHT PICKLE FEST.
THIS IS PICKLES AND PICKLEBALL.
THEY NEED TO HAVE A CONTEST WHERE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PICKLE IN YOUR LEFT HAND AND A PICKLEBALL RACKET AND YOUR RIGHT
IT HAD 8,500 GUESTS, BUT
DINE OLD FAST FEST IN FOUR HOURS, FOLKS IN FOUR HOURS.
WE HAD 11,000 GUESTS WHO KNEW DINOSAURS WERE SUCH A BIG HIT.
THERE'S SOME OUT AT ELUVIA TONIGHT FOR YOU.
DON'T GET TOO CLOSE ONE OF 'EM.
SPITTING WATER,
HOW MANY OF YOU GO THROUGH PRAIRIE LIGHTS EVERY YEAR? I DO ON MY BIKE RIDE.
ALTHOUGH THIS YEAR CHIEF ES AND I DID IT ON OUR MOTORCYCLES FOR A FUNDRAISING EVENT, WHICH WERE REALLY A LOT OF FUN.
WE'RE GONNA DO IT AGAIN THIS YEAR WE HAD 23,755.
NOW HOW DO Y'ALL GET THAT ACCURATE VEHICLES DRIVE THROUGH IN 2025.
IT'S LOCATED ON OUR BEAUTIFUL JOE POOL LAKE IN LYNN CREEK PARK.
THAT'S JUST LYNN CREEK PARK HAS OVER 97,000 VEHICLES COMING THROUGH.
IT OPENED THIS WEEK OPEN UNTIL SEPTEMBER 97,000 VEHICLES.
WE ALSO HAVE SOME OF DFWS MOST VISITED ATTRACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE A WHILE.
FIRST ON THE LIST AND THERE'S THE PICTURE OF IT.
20,000 GUESTS, TRADERS VILLAGE FOLKS.
HOW MANY OF YOU REMEMBER TAG TAGGART? YOU'RE ASIAN YOURSELF.
OUR KIDS GREW UP IN THE IN THE BUST OUT PARTY TENT FOR THE PRCA RODEO FOR YEARS.
TEXAS TRUST, WHICH I'VE ALREADY MENTIONED, HALF, 500,000 GUESTS A YEAR.
OUR GRAND PRAIRIE OUTLET, 2.6 MILLION GUESTS, GRAND PRAIRIE OUTLETS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING THEN.
WE WEREN'T THOUGHT WE WERE THEN WE WEREN'T.
THAT'S HOW THINGS GO SOMETIMES.
WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW, WE'RE ONE OF THE ONLY CITIES IN TEXAS THAT HAS A CLASS ONE RACETRACK, LONE STAR PARK.
OUR KIDS CAN'T DO MATH BUT THEY KNOW HOW TO.
THE ODDS AT GAMBLING
THAT'S A LINE HE USED TO ALWAYS USE.
THEY CAN'T ADD, BUT BOY THEY COULD DO THE ODDS.
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NOW TO THE BIG KUNA, EPIC CENTRAL 2025.WE WELCOMED 2.6 MILLION UNIQUE VISITORS.
WHERE ELSE CAN YOU GO SEE THAT? A VEGAS STYLE LIGHT SHOW ELUVIA WITH THE EPIC AND EPIC WATERS IN THE BACKGROUND.
YOU CAN SET OUT OF THE DOOR THE FINCH, SOON TO BE THE LANDING OUTSIDE AND WATCH THE SHOW.
IT'S 172 ACRES OF ATTRACTIONS, DINING TRAILS, GREEN SPACE HOTELS EVENT, WHICH YOU'RE IN AN EVENT CENTER, CONFERENCE CENTER WITH A HOTEL.
FOLKS, I'M GLAD YOU'RE SITTING DOWN.
WE FOR UNTIL WE BUILT THIS HOTEL IN THE CONFERENCE CENTER, WE DID NOT HAVE A HOTEL WITH A CONFERENCE CENTER ATTACHED.
AND HIS CREW COULDN'T HAVE AN EVENT IN OUR CITY BECAUSE AFTER THEY CHANGED THEIR UNIFORMS, THEY LIKE TO DANCE AND GET DRUNK
AND WE CAN'T HAVE IT AT A CONVENTION CENTER THAT DOESN'T HAVE A HOTEL NEXT DOOR, RIGHT? BECAUSE SESAME'S IN THE PARKING LOT, RIGHT? READY TO RIDE 'EM UP,
HE'S WAITING FOR THEM TO GET OUT THERE FOR SLIVA TO RIDE HIM UP.
SO FINALLY, FINALLY, WE CAN HAVE A PARTY AND STAGGER TO OUR ROOM.
BUT THE POINT BEING, WE LOST ON A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OF THAT.
WE'RE READY AND CANNOT WAIT TO WELCOME THE WORLD THIS SUMMER FOR THE FIFA WORLD CUP.
YOU KNOW WE GOT A BRIEFING ON IT THE OTHER NIGHT.
YOU CAN'T BOOK A ROOM DURING THAT TIME.
NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ROOMS, IT'S BECAUSE THEY HADN'T RELEASED THEM NEARLY EVERY HOTEL IN THE REGION OR HOLDING THEIR HOTELS TO WAIT FOR PEAK DEMAND TO OPEN 'EM UP.
SO FOLKS, THAT'S GONNA BE RUN OVER'S.
NINE SUPER BOWLS, NINE SUPER BOWLS RIGHT HERE NEXT DOOR IN ARLINGTON, AT AND T STADIUM.
I'M THANKFUL THEY'RE THERE 'CAUSE YOU CAN'T HOUSE 'EM ALL.
MAYOR
AND LIKE I TOLD YOU, MAYOR, YOU'VE GOT SOME, YOU'VE GOT THE LOWE'S HOTEL, I LOVE IT.
BUT NOT EVERYBODY CAN AFFORD A LOWE'S HOTEL.
LOOK, WE'RE BOTH GONNA MAKE MONEY.
WE DON'T LOSE FOCUS ON OUR MAIN OBJECTIVE TO CREATE EXPERIENCES FOR OUR REST RESIDENTS.
WE WANT OUR FAMILIES TO BUILD TRADITIONS AND BE PROUD TO CALL GRAND PRAIRIE HOME.
NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT SAFETY AGAIN.
I ALREADY MENTIONED WHERE THE RECOGNIZES THE NUMBER ONE SAFEST CITY IN DALLAS.
HOW MANY OF Y'ALL WOULD'VE THOUGHT THAT YOU WOULD THINK, NO, THERE'S NO WAY OUR DEMOGRAPHICS WOULDN'T SUPPORT THAT.
LOOK, WE'VE GOT GOOD, HARDWORKING PEOPLE WORKING IN MANUFACTURING, WORKING IN SHOPS, DOING HARD LABOR THAT ARE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS THAT DESERVE A PLACE TO PARTY AND HAVE FUN.
SO CHIEF SES AND OUR TEAM
HOW'S THAT HAPPEN? MY BOSS, MR. HANKS, THAT HELPED RAISE ME WAS MY SECOND FATHER TO ME USED TO HAVE THIS SAYING WITHOUT DATA, IT'S ONLY AN OPINION.
MY OPINION IS WE HAVE A SAFE CITY.
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THE DATA PROVES IT.AND BY THE WAY, OUR CRIME RATE IS 14% LOWER THAN IT WAS IN 2024.
CHIEF SESSE AND YOUR WHOLE CREW, THEY DON'T POLICE LIKE OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
THEY GET ASKED TO GO TEACH PEOPLE.
WE USE AGGRESSIVE ADHERENCE TO EVIDENCE-BASED CRIME FIGHTING.
WE DEPLOY A FO, A FOCUS INFORMED PLAN, TECHNOLOGY ASSISTED POLICING, STREAMLINED PROCESSES AND COMMUNITY TRUST AND PARTNERSHIPS.
THANK YOU TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NOW OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WERE Y'ALL HERE YEARS AGO WHEN WE PUT UP ON THE SCREEN THE AROUND US AND WE WERE AN ISO THREE AND EVERYBODY AROUND US WAS A TWO.
AND THEN CHIEF FIGHT TOLD ME, MAYOR, IT WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, MAYBE 11, WE BECAME, WE JUMPED FROM A CLASS THREE TO A CLASS ONE.
WE WERE RATED CLASS ONE ISO RATING FOR FIRE PREVENTION AND SERVICE.
THAT CAN, THAT GIVES YOU THE LOWEST ANY OF YOU INSURANCE AGENTS.
HERE'S THE LOWEST RATE FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD INSURANCE.
WHERE IO ONE HAVE BEEN FOR YEAH, HERE'S MY FAVORITE.
I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK, BUT IF YOU DO IT, DO IT HERE AT GRAND PRAIRIE
WHY? WELL, YOU'D SAY YOU AIN'T GOT A HOSPITAL.
IF I HAD A HOSPITAL, ONLY A FIFTH OF YOU'D GO TO IT.
WE HAVE GREAT FACILITIES NEXT DOOR TO US ALL UP AND DOWN OUR BORDER FOR 11 STRAIGHT YEARS AND WE'RE AIMING FOR 12.
THIS MAY GRAND PRAIRIE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS EARNED THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION'S GOLD AWARD.
NOW WHAT IS THAT? Y'ALL HAVE HEARD ME SAY IT.
BY THE TIME THEY BREACH THE DOOR AND MAKE CONTACT WITH A PERSON WHO'S HAD A HEART ATTACK.
THEY HAVE 90 MINUTES, 90 MINUTES NOT TO GET 'EM BACKED UP INTO THE EMERGENCY BAY.
90 MINUTES TO GET 'EM TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL ON THE CATH TABLE WITH A CATHETER IN THEM.
OUR POLICE, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS DONE IT A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE TIME.
WE'VE EXPANDED WE'LL TAKE CARE OF OUR BUILDING, OUR EXPANSION DOWN SOUTH.
WE'VE OPENED WITH UP FIRE STATION 11 ALL THE WAY DOWN ALMOST TO THE, IT'S RIGHT AT 360 AND 2 87.
CHIEF FIGHT AND CHIEF FIGHT HAS GIVEN ME THE APPROVAL.
NO, YOU KNOW, BILL
THE GRAND PRAIRIE IS GROWING, BUT WE'RE ALSO WORKING TO GROW, GUIDE THAT GROWTH IN SMART, BALANCED WAYS.
TAKE FOR EXAMPLE, OUR DOWNTOWN RENOVATION.
OUR GOAL IS TO CREATE A MORE VIBRANT, WALKABLE, AND WELCOMING DOWNTOWN WHILE HONORING ITS HISTORIC CHARACTER AND INVESTMENT THAT WILL ENHANCE PUBLIC SPACES, IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SET THE STAGE FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT.
WE HAVE STARTED CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CITY HALL CAMPUS PERFORMANCE VENUE, A PERFORMANCE STAGE, WHICH HE'S SHOWN.
IT KEEPS RECYCLING, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED THIS YEAR.
SO IF YOU'VE GONE TO CIN, DEMA AND OTHER THINGS, WE HAVE TO RENT A BIG OLD STAGE.
WE'LL HAVE A PERMANENT STAGE, YES.
WHAT ALLOWED THIS MAYOR WILLIAMS? YOU WERE PROBABLY ON THE RTC OR EITHER DURING THE TIME OR SHORTLY AFTER WHEN TXDOT SAID WE'RE GIVE, WE'RE DOING A TURNBACK PROGRAM.
SEE MAIN STREET IS A TXDOT ROAD IS HIGHWAY 180 AND THEY TOLD US WE'RE GONNA GIVE IT BACK TO YOU CITIES AND YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT.
WE REVOLT IT UNTIL THEY EDUCATED US.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE IT, BUT IF YOU HAVE A RATIONALE TO USE IT AND CAN TAKE IT AND CAN SHOW US THAT YOU HAVE AN ALTERNATE PATHWAY FOR THAT TRAFFIC TO GO, WE'LL LET YOU TAKE CONTROL OF IT.
WE HAVE JEFFERSON RUNNING PARALLEL, SO WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW TEXDOT WE CAN MOVE THE TRUCK TRAFFIC OFF OF MAIN
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STREET, FORCE 'EM OVER TO JEFFERSON, CHOKE DOWN MAIN STREET TO WHERE IT'S SAFE.SO FOLKS, HANG ON THEN CALVARY BECAME AVAILABLE AND QUITE FRANKLY WE DIDN'T WANT ANOTHER CHARTER SCHOOL ON MAIN STREET.
WE BOUGHT IT TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND THEN AS WE WORKED THROUGH TEXTILE, WE REALIZED I'M SO GLAD WE HAVE THE LAND.
SO WE BOUGHT SONIC, THAT'S WHY THEY MOVED FOLKS.
IN COLLABORATION WITH DALLAS COUNTY, WE ARE BUILDING ALICE COURT COMMUNITY, ATTAINABLE HOMES, EVERYBODY.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ATTAINABLE HOMES.
WE'RE BUILDING 10 NEW MODERN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR WORKING FAMILIES WHO WANT A REAL SHOT AT HOME OWNERSHIP.
AGAIN, DR. GARCIA, YOU WERE A PARTNER IN THIS DRIVE BACK.
IT'S ACROSS THE STREET FROM YOUR SCHOOL.
REBECCA, WHAT'S BOWIE? ACROSS THE STREET FROM BOWIE, WHICH WHERE REBECCA WENT TO SCHOOL WHEN SHE WAS A BABY GIRL.
WE NEED MORE LAND TO BUILD MORE OF THEM.
WITH PARTNERSHIP FROM DALLAS COUNTY NOW FURTHER SOUTH, WE'RE 360 AND 2 87 MEET.
THERE ARE MORE RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS WITH OUR LAKE SONG AND GOODLAND COMMUNITY.
SOMEBODY'S HERE FROM LAKE SONG TONIGHT.
TOGETHER THESE COMMUNITIES WILL BRING IN A APPRO APPROXIMATE 18,000 NEW RESIDENTIAL UNITS WITH AN ESTIMATED 6.5 BILLION IN VALUE AND AN ANTICIPATED 50,000 POPULATION GROWTH OVER THE NEXT 20, 30 YEARS.
WE'RE GONNA BE ANNOUNCING SOME FUTURE PLANS IN THE WAREHOUSE.
DISTRICT IS SO FAR SOUTH, IT IS A DAY TRIP TO GET TO IT.
WE PURPOSEFULLY WORKED WITH PROVIDENCE ON SELECTING A PLACE FOR WAREHOUSES THAT'S AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTIAL UNIT TO WHERE WE CAN HAVE SOME INCOME COMING IN THAT WILL HELP SUPPORT THE HOUSING BASE.
SINGLE FAMILY HOUSES DON'T REALLY PAY FOR THEMSELVES, SO WE NEEDED THE WAREHOUSES OUT THERE.
AND WE'LL BE ANNOUNCING SOME VENTURES ALONG WITH PROVIDENCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PROVIDENCE.
PRETTY SOON DOWN DEEP SOUTH, THERE'S GONNA BE A CITY WITHIN A CITY.
NOW HERE'S SOMETHING I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR ABOUT.
EVEN AS WE BUILD THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY, WE DON'T FORGET HOW WE GOT HERE.
WE'RE TAKING STEPS TO PRESERVE OUR CITY LANDMARKS LIKE WE DID WITH OUR FIRST FIREHOUSE.
WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE LIBERTY BELL.
IT'S, IT'S GETTING MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION.
IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE HAD FOREVER.
IT WILL BE PUT BACK IN PLACE AFTER WE GET THE DOWNTOWN CITY HALL RENOVATIONS COMPLETED.
AND THANKS TO OUR UH, GRAND PRAIRIE HISTORICAL ORGANIZATION, JAMES, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT FOR HELPING US PRESERVE OUR CITY'S HERITAGE.
WE ARE PRESERVING THESE SERVICES THAT MATTER TO OUR COMMUNITY.
WE REOPENED DESMOND CLINIC AGAIN.
DR. GARCIA DALLAS COUNTY HELPED US WITH THAT.
ONE OF OUR CITY'S PRIORITIES IS TO KEEP, IS TO KEEP OUR CITY STRONG.
AND THAT MEANS PRESERVING WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE AND TAKING CARE OF THE BASICS.
OUR STREETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
THERE'S NOT A CITY ANYWHERE THAT COULDN'T SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TOMORROW ON STREETS AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
IN 2025, VOTERS REAUTHORIZED OUR LOCAL SALES TAX FOR STREET MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR FOR ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS.
THAT'S A QUARTER CENT, BUT IT DOESN'T DO THE MAJOR ARTERIALS.
IT'S FOR OVERLAYS AND PANEL REPLACEMENT.
NOT WHEN YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO RIP EVERYTHING UP.
THAT TAKES THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PACKAGE.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'LL BE COMING TO LA LATER.
WE'VE FLOATING A BOND PACKAGE TO HELP US WITH THAT.
BUT WE ALSO INVEST IN OUR PARKS.
BUT WHO WANTS TO GROW UP IN A CITY THAT DOESN'T HAVE CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED PARKS? PHASE TWO OF TURNER PARK RENOVATION IS NOW UNDERWAY.
WHEN COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR, WE WILL ENJOY A RANGE OF ENHANCEMENT.
A NEW GROUP PAVILION, UH, OP, BIG, BIG OPEN SPACE.
A RENOVATED GAZEBO, A CHILD'S PLAY AREA,
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NEW RESTROOM FACILITIES, LIGHTING, WALKWAY TRAILS WILL BE EXTENDED.THESE ENHANCEMENTS, ENHANCEMENTS ARE DESIGNED TO EXPAND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES AND IMPROVE PARK ACCESSIBILITY.
SPENDING ABOUT $3 MILLION ON IT IN THE PAST YEAR, THE PHASE TWO RENOVATIONS OF TYREE PARK WERE COMPLETED, INCLUDING SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES YOU CAN NOW ENJOY.
OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT IS COVERED, SO YOU'RE OUT OF THE SUN.
A NEW PAVILION, MULTI-PURPOSE FIELD, NEW TRAILS WITH LIGHTS AND PARK FURNISHINGS, PLAYGROUND SWINGS AND SLIDES.
AND THAT RIGHT THERE IS ME FAMILIAR PARK, WHICH WE'VE ALSO INCLUDED BY THE, THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
UH, A NEW LIGHTED TRAIL LOOP MODERN PLAYGROUND.
YOU CAN'T FISH IN THAT LAKE AND EAT THE FISH
BACK THEN PEOPLE CHANGED THEIR OIL OUT IN THE PASTURE.
WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT THE NAVAL AIR STATION DID? AND THERE'S A LAWSUIT PENDING NOW THAT CITY OF DALLAS IS SUING THE NAVY.
GOOD LUCK WITH SUING THE NAVY TO HELP 'EM CLEAN UP THE LAKE.
WE ALSO IN JOHN'S NEIGHBORHOOD, FISH CREEK LINEAR PARK SAW AN IMPROVEMENT.
UH, IT'S OH, TOTAL AROUND $3 MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT OUT THERE.
WE GOT 2.8 MILLION FROM THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE.
SO WE ARE SPENDING MONEY ON OUR PARKS.
AND THOSE OF YOU WHO REMEMBER WHERE GREAT SOUTHWEST GOLF CLUB WAS AND WE WENT TO COURT AND THEY MADE US ALLOW THEM TO BUILD A WAREHOUSES THERE.
UH, WE DO HAVE A NATURE PARK THERE THAT WERE SPENDING A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY ON.
$700,000 ALONG THE PARK THERE AT GREAT SOUTHWEST NATURE PARK IN NORTH GRAND PRAIRIE.
WE'VE ALSO ADDED NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS AND RENOVATED THE TENNIS COURTS AT FRIENDSHIP PARK.
NOW BESSIE, I KNOW YOU AND JACKIE NOTICE IT, BUT THEY'RE ON WEEKENDS.
THEY BRING FOOD, THEY COOK FOR EVERYBODY WHILE THEY'RE NOT PLAYING PICKLEBALL THE SUMMER THEY'RE COOKING.
AND FOLKS, CROW HOLDINGS HAVE A LOT OF WAREHOUSES IN OUR CITY, BUT THEY GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE BUILDING SIX NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS IN NORTH KOREA.
PRAIRIE ALONG ENTERTAINMENT WAY WEST OF BELTLINE.
I ONLY HAVE 50 MORE PAGES FOLKS JUST HANG ON
OH REALLY? I'M GETTING TO THE END.
OUR MAIN LIBRARY LOBBY HAS BEEN REMODELED AND IT'S ABOUT TO OPEN FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY.
HAVE YOU NOW IT'S ALWAYS PACKED ON UH, VOTING DAYS.
BUT FOLKS DRIVE BY ONE OF OUR LIBRARIES ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.
WE'VE GOT PEOPLE IN THERE USING IT.
WE'VE GOT, OH MY PETER AND HIS STAFF DO SUCH A GOOD JOB, DON'T THEY? COUNCIL? YEAH.
OUR SUMMER READING PROGRAM ATTRACTED 10,000 ATTENDEES.
IT JUST KEEPS GOING ON AND ON.
TO ACHIEVE THIS GROWTH, WE NEED TO MANAGE OUR BUDGET RESPONSIBLY AND INVEST OUR TAXES WISELY.
WE ARE PROUD TO SAY WE'VE A AGAIN EARNED THE HIGHEST BOND RATING POSSIBLE AAA FOR OUR BOND OB GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND TRIPLE A FOR OUR WATER WASTE WATER BONDS.
A STRONG WEIGHT RATING MEANS, UH, WE BORROW MONEY AT REDUCED INTEREST, WHICH SAVES MONEY OVER TIME.
SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? WE KEEP BUILDING GRAND PRAIRIE AS THE CITY THAT IS DEEP IN THE HEART OF EVERYTHING.
WE CONTINUE PLANNING FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF PARKS, RECREATION, OPEN SPACE, GUIDED BY OUR LONG RANGE MASTER PLANNING.
WE CONTINUE TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY IMPROVEMENTS THAT KEEP OUR CITY CONNECTED.
JUST THINK ABOUT IT, WE DON'T HAVE MASS TRANSIT, WHICH I'M THANKFUL FOR BECAUSE WE'VE USED THAT PENNY FOR A NUMBER OF THINGS.
IF YOU READ THE NEWS, THE CITIES THERE ARE IN DART WANT IT OUT.
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TO NEGOTIATE A THING THROUGH COG AND DART TO KEEP SOME OF THEM IN.SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HELP LEAVE DART, BUT THEY'RE GONNA USE UNIQUE OTHER WAYS TO GET PEOPLE AROUND.
WE USE THE SAME SYSTEM VIA FOR THREE BUCKS.
IT'S BETTER THAN GOING TO THE BUS STOPS.
IT'S NOT DOOR TO DOOR LIKE UBER, BUT IT WILL PICK YOU UP WITHIN A BLOCK, BLOCK AND A HALF AT THE CURB.
THREE BUCKS YOU CAN GO ANYWHERE.
WE HAVE 11,000 USERS A MONTH ON AVERAGE AND A 19 MINUTE WAIT ON AVERAGE FOLKS, YOU GO TO A BUS STOP, YOU'RE GONNA SIT THERE AN HOUR WAIT ON THE BUS TO COME AROUND.
WE CONTINUE MODERNIZING SERVICES SO RESIDENTS CAN ACCESS INFORMATION TOOLS MORE EASILY.
PLEASE SIGN UP FOR OUR ONLINE WATER USE PROGRAM.
IT'LL TELL YOU YOU LEFT YOUR WATER HOSE IN THE POOL GOING, GONNA SEND YOU AN EMAIL.
AND WE KEEP INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE TO HELP US GROW.
THAT'S HOW WE COME UP WITH OUR CITY'S ANNUAL GOES.
WE LISTEN TO YOUR NEEDS AND PRIORITIES.
WE PUT THEM IN WRITING AND AS A TEAM, WE TRY TO ACCOMPLISH THEM.
YOU CAN FIND OUR 2026 CITY COUNCIL GOES IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT THERE AT YOUR TABLE.
ONE OF OUR GOALS IS TO PREPARE FOR OUR MAY 2ND BOND ELECTION BY KEEPING YOU INFORMED ON WHAT IS INCLUDED.
WE WILL NOT PROMOTE, WE WILL EDUCATE.
YOU WILL SEE THREE POSSESSIONS ON THE BALLOT FOR STREETS, PUBLIC SAFETY AND PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES.
YOU CAN VOTE ONE, TWO, AND THREE.
I MEAN, THERE'S THREE ON THE BALLOT.
TAKE YOUR PICK, EDUCATE YOURSELF AND VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.
REBECCA KNOWS ALL I EVER WANTED TO DO WHEN I BECAME MAYOR WAS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MY CITY THAT WE DID NOT HAVE.
LIKE I SAID, WE DIDN'T HAVE A SMOOTHIE KING.
YES, WHEN I BECAME MAYOR, WE DID NOT HAVE A SMOOTHIE KING.
I HAD TO DRIVE TO MADLOCK THOSE FEW TIMES.
I KNOW WHERE THE SMOOTHIE KING WAS.
NOW WE'VE GOT A SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE, HIGH GRADUATE GRADUATE RUNNING OUR SMOOTHIE KING.
PASTOR, WHERE ARE YOU? RIGHT OVER HERE.
WHERE'S PA? WHERE ARE YOU? THE THE PREACHER THAT PRAYED RIGHT HERE.
NOW SEE, YOU NEED TO KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY.
WHY DID I HAVE HIM PRAY TONIGHT? THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE AT COUNCIL TWO COUNCIL MEETINGS AGO.
NO, HE PRAYED THAT EXACT SAME PRAYER, DIDN'T YOU? AT THE END OF HIS PRAYER, I SAID, THAT'S OUR CITY.
YOU'RE PRAYING FOR EXACTLY WHAT I AND MY COUNCIL ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IN MY CITY.
I CALLED CLAUDIA AFTER, SAID HE'S PRAYING AT STATE OF THE CITY,
I DON'T CARE WHERE HE IS, YOU GET HIM HERE.
BUT BACK TO MY STORY, I WANTED THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE.
I LOVE BEING NEXT DOOR TO ARLINGTON SO I COULD GO OVER THERE AND GET SOMETHING
I STILL GO TO OVER HALF THE BASEBALL GAMES AND I'LL SEE YOU THERE THIS SUMMER.
I GET MY HAIR CUT FROM SOMEBODY WHO USED TO CUT MY HAIR AT GREAT CLIPS 7 95.
I DO GET A HAIRCUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.
SHE MOVED TO ROOSTERS IN COLLEYVILLE AND HER SON SAID, BUT MOM, WHAT'S RON GONNA DO?
BUT MOM, WHAT'S RON GONNA DO? VERONICA SAID, HE'S FOLLOWING ME TO ROOSTERS.
I WAS VISITING WHETHER TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO, AND HER KIDS, HARDWORKING FAMILY, HUSBAND ON DISABILITY, THE KIDS MOM, WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR SPRING BREAK? NOW, SOME OF US CAN AFFORD TO GO TO HAWAII,
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CANCUN, NEW YORK, DESTIN, BUT EVERYBODY CAN'T.AND THEY STILL DESERVE A PLACE TO GO HAVE FUN WITH THEIR FAMILY.
SHE TOLD HIM WE'RE DOING A STAY STAYCATION RIGHT HERE IN GRAND PRAIRIE.
I WANTED THINGS FOR OUR CITIZENS TO HAVE AND ENJOY AND DIDN'T HAVE TO GET ON A DIRT PLANE.
SO AS I CLOSE TONIGHT, ALL I CAN SAY IS WHEN I WALKED THROUGH THAT FIELD, I HAD DREAMS. TOM AND I HAD VISIONS.
IT HAS EXCEEDED MY DREAMS. THINK, GO.