Burleson Focus Fall 2019 Edition
Construction starts on Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza in Old Town Old Town Burleson is experiencing a pronounced rebirth due to decades of investment and strong planning work. Starting more than 20 years ago with the Old Town Development and Preservation Plan, the City Council and City Staff have worked to install strategic improvements and make decisions that foster a vibrant and beneficial district.
planners and architects in Old Town to discuss projects that could build upon our success but also lay the groundwork for a truly walkable, mixed-use district. The plan places an emphasis on a public plaza, an Old Town identity, safe and walkable rail crossings, higher education and expanded living opportunities.
In the years since that plan was adopted, the city added hundreds of parking spaces in the railroad right-of-way, recruited destination restaurants, and invested in infrastructure and hardscaping on multiple occasions. This has helped leverage tens of millions of dollars of private investment in the district.
The city has invested in many action items since the plan was adopted in 2016. To date, more public parking has been completed on Bufford and N. Main Streets, construction is nearing completion on Renfro Street that will calm traffic and increase walkability, quiet zone crossings at rail intersections are underway, and the landmark Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza has broken ground.
In 2015, the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU) approached the city about conducting a legacy charrette in Old Town Burleson due to its unique position and success in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. City leaders met with nationally recognized
The Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza is a TIF/4B funded investment in Old Town that will serve the residents of Burleson and visitors of Old Town for generations. Continued on page 3
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Langley selected as new City Manager Bryan Langley took over as Burleson City Manager on April 1, 2019. Langley was selected unanimously by the city council to fill the position after previous City Manager Dale Cheatham retired in February 2019. Langley, who has a 20-year career in municipal government, was serving as the deputy city manager and chief operating officer for the City of Denton. In this capacity, he oversaw a variety of functions including Public Affairs, Finance, Technology Services (IT), Airport, Administrative Services, Municipal Court, Economic Development, Fleet Services, Library, Parks & Recreation and Customer Service. “I am truly honored and humbled to be selected by the City Council to lead this organization,” said Langley. “I am excited to be a part of the Burleson team, and I look forward to working with the Mayor, Council, and our talented staff to address the needs of this community.”
Mayor’s Youth Council adds new members
Eight new members have been appointed and new officers elected to the Burleson Mayor’s Youth Council. New members include Carly Duello, Madison Jones, Robert Kroelinger, Ryan Miles, Alexa Samorano, Christian Steele, Aliyah Vallejo and Jaden Westbrook.
Upcoming city closures
Mayor’s Youth Council members must have a passion for being the voice of Burleson youth and showing leadership qualities within the community. They are charged with identifying key issues facing Burleson teens and advising the city council on teen-related matters.
Labor Day: Most city facilities will be closed Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. Trash and curbside recycling collection will not be affected and will continue as scheduled. The Burleson Recreation Center and Hidden Creek Golf Course will both be open. Come swim one last time at the outdoor pool at the BRiCk that day. Thanksgiving holidays: City of Burleson facilities, with the exception of public safety, will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28-29. There will be no trash or curbside recycling collection on Thursday, Nov. 28. If you are on the Monday-Thursday route, your trash will be collected on the next Monday, Dec. 2. Curbside recycling will be collected on your next scheduled day. Hidden Creek Golf Course and the Burleson Recreation Center (BRiCk) will be open normal hours Friday, Nov. 29.
Stream City Council Meetings www.burlesontx.com/watchlive
Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza in Old Town, continued The Plaza will become a formal gathering space for dozens of community events and festivals that have called Old Town home for years. Among other site amenities, the new performance stage will be capable of hosting larger concerts than the city’s current mobile stage, as well as other forms of live performance. Other site amenities will include; public restrooms, shade pavilions, a large, open lawn, children’s area with small play trolley, activity lawn with games, courtyard, and movable tables and chairs. The anticipated completion of the Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza in Old Town is May 2020. Follow Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza in Old Town weekly updates at www. oldtownburleson.com or sign up for the city’s weekly enewsletter, www.burlesontx.com/enewsletter
Trash and Recycling Update In May and June 2018 the city conducted public outreach asking residents what they would like to see in their trash and recycling services. An online and print survey was available and eight public meetings were held throughout the community, including an online town hall. Over 1,700 surveys were returned, and city staff utilized this input to make the following changes to Burleson’s trash and recycling program. • • • • • •
Convert to 65-gallon recycling carts. Keep solid waste pick up at twice a week. Allow customers to set out a container for their trash if they would like, but the city would not provide containers. All trash in containers must be bagged and tied. Collect small bulk and brush items (under 30 cubic feet) weekly. Discontinue Mulch and Recycling Center operations. Include two free trips to the landfill per year.
Starting October 1, 2019, weekly collection of small brush and bulky items will start, monthly collection of large brush and bulky items will continue as is. The city’s Mulch Center’s last day of operation will be September 28, 2019. Also, starting October 1 residents can begin using their own garbage containers, if they would like. Solid waste can still be set on the curb in trash bags. Recycling carts will be delivered to Burleson homes and businesses December 3 through December 20, 2019. Starting January 6, 2020, automated collection of recycling carts will begin, and residents will no longer be able to use the smaller recycling bins they are currently utilizing.
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City Events SEPTEMBER September 13
Friday Night Dance, 7 p.m. Senior Activity Center 50 and up are welcome; $5 per person
September 14
Trash Bash, 9 a.m. starts at Warren Park; register today
TRASH BASH
OCTOBER October 1
National Night Out, 6 p.m. city-wide
October 11
Friday Night Dance, 7 p.m. Senior Activity Center
October 12
Founders Day, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Location TBA
October 12
Gospel Jam, 6:30 - 8 p.m. Senior Activity Center
October 19-20
Far Out Family Campout, 1 p.m. - 8 a.m. Location TBA Tickets go on sale in September
BOO BASH
October 26
Boo Bash, 6 - 8 p.m. Location TBA
NOVEMBER November 2
Military Veterans Tribute, 2 - 3 p.m. Veterans Memorial Plaza
November 2
Hazardous Waste Event, 9 - 11 a.m. Municipal Service Center
November 8
Pioneer Day, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Russell Farm Art Center
November 14
Senior Fall Festival, 4 - 7 p.m. Senior Activity Center
FALL FESTIVAL
For more information about these events and other upcoming city events visit burlesontx.com